The evening, which began with cocktails at 6 PM, was hosted by FOX 5 reporter Julie Chang and featured a performance from Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet). The awards ceremony begian at 7:30 PM.
Also honored at the event were Local One I.A.T.S.E. president James J. Claffey, Jr. and the Millennium Broadway Hotel for their longstanding contributions to Times Square and the Broadway community.
"I am thrilled to be honoring such a hardworking, talented and committed group from the entertainment and business communities," said Inside Broadway executive director Michael Presser in a previous statement. "Inside Broadway's aim is to pass down the rich legacy of musical theatre to future generations so that the magic, music and universal themes of the genre are not lost but rediscovered and made relevant for today's youth and our honorees this year have each without a doubt greatly contributed to that cause."
The annual Broadway Beacon Awards support Inside Broadway's mission of bringing theatre to New York City's under-served public school students. Inside Broadway, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, reaches over 30,000 New York City students each year. The company develops and produces touring equity musical productions as well as a wide range of educational programs that allow participants to interact with professionals in the field and experience theatre hands-on in the classroom. Jonas, who was recently seen as J. Pierrepont Finch in the Broadway revival of How to Succeed, has also been seen on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables. For more on Jonas' theatrical history, visit the Playbill Vault.
Brinkley, who was recently seen as Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago, made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in the feature film "National Lampoon's Vacation." She also appeared on NBC's "Mad About You" and hosted Lifetime Television's "InStyle Celebrity Weddings." Visit Brinkley's page at the Playbill Vault.
