The evening will honor Tony winner Barbara Cook with the Sarah Siddons Society Award; Mike Nussbaum will be honored as Chicago’s Leading Actor.

“We are delighted to pay a tribute to this amazing artist,” said Dominic Missimi, executive director of the Society, in a statement. “She is one of the great singers of this past century and a legend of Broadway music theatre history.”

Nussbaum, a regular of Chicago’s main stages in addition to appearances in 40 films, will be recognized for his contributions to Chicago theatre. After many years of presenting a Leading Chicago Actress Award to many of Chicago’s finest performers, Nussbaum, who is currently starring in the title role of Freud's Last Session at the Mercury Theater, will be the first male actor to receive this award.

Tony nominee Kate Baldwin will introduce Cook, and Chicago Shakespeare artistic director Barbara Gaines will provide the introduction for Nussbaum.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently proclaimed July 16 as Barbara Cook Day throughout the city of Chicago. Several of Chicago’s music theatre leading men will be on hand to salute Cook, and members of the Stanley Paul Orchestra will provide music for the evening. The Sarah Siddons Society Award was first presented in 1952 to Helen Hayes, and since then has been awarded to Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Deborah Kerr, Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Julie Harris, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera and, most recently, Patti LuPone.

The annual gala raises money for the Sarah Siddons Society’s Scholarship, awarded to outstanding college students in pursuit of a career in music theatre.

For more information visit Sarahsiddonssociety.org.