Co-Chaired by Barry Fierstein and Tom Kirdahy
As Primary Stages honored these three theater icons, their impact on the theater community was made apparent by the tangible air of appreciation in the room. After a cocktail reception mingling with the Primary Stages family during a silent auction, the festivities began with emcee Tony Award® winner Julie White introducing our first performer, Tamara Tunie. Ms. Tunie dedicated “It’s Today” and “The Best is Yet to Come” to Jamie deRoy, kicking off the evening’s steady succession of riveting performances. She was followed by Ta’u Pupu’a’s (Master Class) selections from Tosca, Barbara Walsh (Grey Gardens, Ragtime) who sang “Back to Before” from Ragtime, and Lewis Cleale (The Book of Mormon) who sang selections from Call Me Madam.
The evening benefitted integral programs at Primary Stages such as our free New York Public School student matinees and artistic development programming while providing a spectacular tribute to Ms. Daly, Ms. deRoy, and Mr. Snowdon. They were honored by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Michael Cristofer, Primary Stages collaborating actress Julie Halston, and executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Tom Viola, respectively. Not only was it the largest and most successful gala in Primary Stages history, the dedications made to these individuals in speech and performance made for an unforgettable evening.
PRIMARY STAGES GALA 2011
A NOVEMBER NIGHT TO REMEMBER
November 9, 2011 ▪ New York’s Edison Ballroom
Honoring the Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Honorees and Families of Honorees
Standing: Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage, Daisy Foote, Frank Gilroy, Donald Margulies, Doug Wright, Robert Schenkken, Tracy Letts, Sheldon Harnick, Bruce Norris, Edward Albee, Stan Reiter.
Seated: Marsha Norman, Anne Kaufman, Marcia Reiter
It was a momentous evening, as 12 of the 31 living winners of the Pultizer Prize for Drama and family of several others came together at the Edison Ballroom to be honored by Primary Stages. Doug Wright, Marsha Norman, Frank Gilroy, and Edward Albee all spoke about their personal feelings about winning the Prize and about being a winner. Musical theater history was made when lyricist Sheldon Harnick sang, for the first time anywhere, the full version of "Home Again" from his Pulitzer-winning musical Fiorello! Hosted by Primary Stages actors Orville Mendoza and Mary Bacon, the show featured stellar performances from Gregg Edelman, Billy Porter, Natalie Cortez, Nicolette Hart, and Rachel de Benedet performing numbers from Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals as well as memorable monologues from The Heidi Chronicles, Crimes of the Heart, Harvey, and Angels in America.
The evening raised important funds in support of Primary Stages arts education and artistic development programs while providing a spectacular tribute to the dozens of playwrights, lyricists, and composers who have made extraordinary contributions to the American theatrical landscape.
Click here to see more photos from A November Night to Remember.
Primary Stages annually gathers our family of donors and the entire theater industry to celebrate individuals and companies that have shown a remarkable commitment to advancing new play development and production. These outstanding honorees receive the Dedication to New Plays Award at our annual Gala, held at the Edison Ballroom on the site of the historic Supper Club in Times Square.
PAST HONOREES INCLUDE
AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS, PRODUCERS & AGENTS
Steven Baruch • Harvey Fierstein • Horton Foote • Richard Frankel
John Guare • A.R. Gurney • Julie Harris • Samuel ‘Biff’ Liff • Terrence McNally
Jack O’Brien • Daryl Roth • Marc Routh • Stephen Sondheim
Susan Stroman • Tom Viertel • Wendy Wasserstein
Actress Victoria Clark with Theatrical and Film Producer Daryl Roth
PAST BENEFIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS, GUESTS AND PERFORMERS
Jane Alexander • Julie Andrews • Mel Brooks • Carol Channing
Stockard Channing • Joan Didion • Whoopi Goldberg • Rosemary Harris
Ethan Hawke • Jerry Herman • Angela Lansbury • Arthur Laurents
Patti LuPone David Mamet • Mandy Patinkin • David Hyde Pierce
Harold Prince • Chita Rivera
Angela Lansbury, Marian Seldes, Julie Harris
