The beloved stage, screen and television actress (now appearing on Broadway in A Little Night Music) will be presented with the company's first Stephen Sondheim Award, "established last year in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theatre writer and composer." Lansbury is a five-time Tony Award winner.
The evening is a fundraiser for the Tony Award-winning not-for-profit resident theatre of Arlington, VA.
Signature's artistic director and co-Founder Eric Schaeffer stated, "It's really wonderful to have these four amazingly talented artists come to the Sondheim Gala to perform in honor of Angela Lansbury, the first lady of Sondheim musicals. Victor, Marin, Jason and Sherri will give her a salute like none other."
The performers have many connections to Stephen Sondheim. Garber originated two Sondheim roles, the young sailor Anthony in Sweeney Todd and John Wilkes Booth in Assassins. He recently starred in Broadway's Present Laughter.
Mazzie created the role of Clara in Passion, then interpreted it for television on PBS' "Great Performances." Mazzie has also performed Beth in Merrily We Roll Along, and the roles of Rapunzel, The Witch and Cinderella from Into the Woods. Mazzie's husband, Danieley, who won a Helen Hayes Award for his Signature Theatre performance of The Highest Yellow, is considered one of the leading tenors on Broadway — with roles in Curtains, Candide and The Full Monty.
Edelen, an outstanding Washington-based comic actress, played Lansbury's all-time favorite role this spring, Mrs. Lovett, in Signature's 20th anniversary production of Sweeney Todd.
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The 2010 Sondheim Award Gala is chaired by Juliann and C. Daniel Clemente; honorary hosts include actors Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bernadette Peters, and Michael Cerveris, philanthropists Helen Henderson and Ted and Mary Jo Shen, political leaders Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi, Virginia Senator Jim Webb and Mrs. Webb, and Virginia Congressman James Moran and LuAnn Bennett, as well Stephen Sondheim. The Sondheim Award Gala will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education and community outreach programs.
Individual Gala tickets and ticket packages range from $650 to $5,000. For more information about sponsorship and tickets contact Emily Hill, Signature development manager, at (571) 527-1828 or [email protected].
