The evening will pay tribute to the Hendels for their "outstanding commitment to theatre," according to an announcement. A 6:30 PM cocktail reception will be followed by a dinner and live auction in addition to the tribute and performances.

Ruth Hendel is currently represented on Broadway by the musical Legally Blonde. Other producing credits include High Fidelity, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Barefoot in the Park, Steel Magnolias, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Frozen, Caroline or Change, A Raisin in the Sun and 'night, Mother.

She also serves as vice chair of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT, and on the boards of the LAByrinth Theatre Company, Play Company and Emelin Theatre.  

Stephen Hendel serves on the board of The New Group as well as the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (as treasurer) and the Culture Project. He is also a founder and Managing Partner of Hess Energy Trading Company LLC.

Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman are the performers behind the beloved song-and-booze cabaret act Kiki & Herb. The duo are currently touring with Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway — which Hendel had a hand in as well. The New Group's new season will launch with Ethan Hawke directing Paul Dano, Peter Dinklage, Josh Hamilton and Zoe Kazan in the world premiere of Jonathan Marc Sherman's Things We Want (Oct. 22-Dec. 15). The line-up continues with artistic director Scott Elliott directing Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years (January 2008) and Mark Brokaw staging Kevin Elyot's Mouth to Mouth (May 2008).

Tickets to the gala at The Lighthouse at Pier 61 (23rd Street and West Side Highway) and further information can be obtained by calling (212) 244-3380, ext. 314. For more information on The New Group, visit thenewgroup.org.