The UJA-Federation held its 2019 Excellence in Theatre Award Celebration on May 9, honoring Disney Theatrical Productions president and producer Thomas Schumacher. The ceremony featured performances by current and former Aladdin stars Michael James Scott and Telly Leung.
Schumacher originally served as the President of the Walt Disney Company, overseeing production on such beloved Disney films as The Lion King, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, Tarzan, and Lilo & Stitch. In 2002, he left his position to focus on Disney's theatrical endeavors, shepherding musicals such as The Lion King, Aida, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, Aladdin, and Frozen to Broadway. He was also responsible for introducing American audiences to Cirque du Soleil in 1987.
UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local philanthropy organization in the world, raises funds every year to "care for people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen Jewish communities in New York, in Israel, and around the world."
Flip through photos from the celebration below:
