by: Sandi Durell
Jules Fisher
On Monday, November 10, 2014, Theatre Communications Group (TCG) celebrated its annual gala. This year the organization honored Jules Fisher, Lynn Nottage, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. Cocktails, dinner and special performances were the order of the evening, including previews of two productions from TCG Member Theatres: A Walk on the Moon (New York Stage and Film) and Immediate Family (About Face Theatre, Center Theatre Group, and the Goodman Theatre).
Phylicia Rashad, Lynn Nottage
Margery Gray, Sheldon Harnick
Jessica Hecht
Guests included: Joseph P. Benincasa, Eric Bogosian, Jo Bonney, Ping Chong, Elizabeth Le Compte, Kelly Cooper, Larry and Sophie Cripe, Josh and Ako Dachs, Rinde Eckert, Brad and Louise Edgerton, Teresa Eyring, David and Kiki Ramos Gindler, Sheldon and Margery Harnick, Ted Hartley, Steve and Ruth Hendel, Rhoda Herrick, Barbara Howard, David Henry Hwang, Julia Jarcho, Noel Kirnon, Pavel Liska, Richard Maxwell, Michael Mayer, Kevin E. Moore, Raelle Myrick-Hodges, Lynn Nottage, Heather Randall, Phylicia Rashad, Vicki Reiss, Diane Rodriguez, Judith O. Rubin, Roche Schulfer, Paula Tomei, Basil Twist, Robert Warren, Kate Whoriskey, and George C. Wolfe.
George C. Wolf
The honorees were all chosen because of their remarkable careers and their impact on TCG.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate three honorees that have made such an indelible impact on the theatre field,” said Teresa Eyring, executive director of TCG. “From Jules Fisher’s living legacy in designing lights for over 300 productions on and off-Broadway; to Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s transformative support for theatres and theatre artists; to the modern-day classics such as Intimate Apparel and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruinedpenned by Lynn Nottage; the 2014 Gala is an opportunity to express our gratitude for these honorees who have given our field so much.”
The event featured a “Who’s Who” of American Theatre. The Gala Chair was Joshua Dachs, the Honorary Gala Chairs Ruth and Stephen Hendel, and the host of the evening was Jessica Hecht.
George C. Wolfe presented Jules Fisher his award, Kate Whoriskey presented to Lynn Nottage, and Judith O. Rubin presented to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, accepted by Ben Cameron, Program Director for the Arts.
Guests also included: Joseph P. Benincasa, president of The Actors Fund, Eric Bogosian and Jo Bonney, Phylicia Rashad, director of Immediate Family, and many others.
A Walk on the Moon is the story of a woman’s affair with a free-spirited traveling salesman in the tumultuous summer of 1969. Immediate Family is a comedy about the complex intersection of race, sexuality, and religion. Additional exciting performances will follow after the excerpts from these plays.
“The 2014 Gala evening is also an opportunity for us to celebrate the artistic vitality and diversity of the not-for-profit theatre field,” said Eyring. “It wouldn’t be a true theatre party without sharing a scene or two, and these two performances should kick off the night on an entertaining and thought-provoking note.”
The 2014 Gala Evening will support Theatre Communications Group’s core programs, including its grant-making arm, now celebrating more than 40 years of providing transformative grants to artists and theatre companies.
This special evening will celebrate not only the work TCG has done but also the indelible contributions made by all grantees to the American theatre field.
ABOUT THE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES FROM TCG MEMBER THEATRES:
A Walk on the Moon, (New York Stage and Film): Directed by Michael Greif; Musical Direction by Matt Hinkley; performed by Greg Naughton andDonna Vivino with musical accompaniment by Joe Brent (mandolin) and Jay Mack (percussion); music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman; and book and additional lyrics by Pamela Gray. It’s the summer of 1969 in a Catskill Mountains bungalow colony, and while her husband spends each week working the city, Pearl Kantrowitz finds herself drawn toward a free-spirited traveling salesman. Her personal crisis plays out against one of America’s most tumultuous summers, as astronauts walk on the moon, The Vietnam War escalates, and Woodstock takes place right down the road.
Immediate Family, (About Face Theatre, Center Theatre Group, and Goodman Theatre): Directed by Phylicia Rashad and written by Paul Oakley Stovell; performers include Kamal Angelo Bolden and Bryan Terrell Clark. The Bryant Family reunion takes a comedic turn when the middle son brings home his Swedish boyfriend and tosses him into a stew of family dysfunctions. Race, sexuality and religion are on the menu as Modern Familymeets Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner in this “timely and important American play” (Chicago Tribune). Immediate Family has also appeared at Celebration Theatre and Dog & Pony Theatre Company.
