The evening, according to a Dec. 22 press statement, will boast performances by country star Larry Gatlin, 9 to 5's Stephanie J. Block and Taboo's Euan Morton. Additional guest performers and celebrity presenters will be announced shortly.
In a statement Nightlife Awards creator and producer Scott Siegel said, "Given that this is the holiday season, let me say that this awards concert is 'gifted' with not only the most outstanding cabaret, comedy and jazz performers in the world on one stage, on one night, but we also have stars from many other performance genres that come to Town Hall to lend their support. We've had Academy Award-winning film director Robert Altman, TV star Tony Danza, three-time Grammy winning Nashville star Lari White, Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham, pop icon Leslie Gore, legendary record producer Phil Ramone, divas Patti LuPone and Liza Minnelli, and more! This is an evening of bang, bang, bang entertainment, punctuated by introductions by some of the most glamorous and talented people in the entertainment world. I've been amazed from the very beginning at the extraordinary level — and diversity — of talent that gets up on the Town Hall stage for this event every year. It is, I'm proud to say, a breathaking event not only for the audience but for the cast backstage. Even they can't believe how many incredible people they're seeing perform!"
The Nightlife Awards are unique because rather than offering acceptance speeches, winners perform. Past participants have included Brian Stokes Mitchell, Elaine Stritch, Kristin Chenoweth, Donna Murphy, Christine Ebersole, Maureen McGovern, Andrea Marcovicci, Ute Lemper and Alice Ripley, among others.
Tickets to the 2009 Nightlife Awards, priced at $75, $50 and $25, are now available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. Beginning Jan. 5, 2009, tickets will also be available by visiting the Town Hall box office (123 West 43rd Street).