Last Monday I shlepped myself to the Theatre Communications Group annual gala at 583 Park Ave in NYC. Good thing I did, it was terrific.
This year the organization, which honored Jules Fisher, Lynn Nottage, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, chosen because of their remarkable careers and their impact on TCG, began with cozy cocktails atop the main ballroom overlooking gorgeously elegant dressed rectangular tables glistening with the light of the evenings message.
After devouring the scrumptious jumbo shrimp poached and sweet corn and fava bean succotash appetizer, host of the evening, actress Jessica Hecht took to the stage to begin the festivities.
Accomplished Hecht,a Broadway favorite, got her first Tony nom in A View From the Bridge, and had standout roles in ‘Sideways’, J. Edgar, The Forgotten, as well as countless TV gigs.
There was a “Who’s Who” of American Theatre with Gala Chair Joshua Dachs, and Honorary Gala Chairs Ruth and Stephen Hendel.
This special evening celebrated not only the work TCG has done but also the incredible contributions made by all grantees to the American theatre field.
“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 Ruined penned by Lynn Nottage; the 2014 Gala is an opportunity to express our gratitude for these honorees who have given our field so much.”
The evenings two performances were beyond special. They included previews of two productions from TCG Member Theatres: A Walk on the Moon; the story of a woman’s affair with a free-spirited traveling salesman in the tumultuous summer of 1969, and Immediate Family; a comedy about the complex intersection of race, sexuality, and religion.
As I continued to stuff my face deliciously with Roast Sliced Filet of Beef Tenderloin and luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake, I spotted Eric Bogosian and wife Jo Bonney, Phylicia Rashad, director of Immediate Family, and many others including: Joseph P. Benincasa, 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.
See you next year.
Pictured:
Jessica Hecht
Phylicia Rashad, Wallace Nottage