The 2014 gala, entitled In Here, Life Is Beautiful, begins at 7 PM with dinner and a live auction, followed by a tribute to Mendes.
Mendes' association with Roundabout began in 1998 by directing the Tony Award-winning Cabaret, which will return to Studio 54 (again under the direction of Mendes and Rob Marshall) March 21 with Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams.
The tribute features performances by Ethan Hawke, Bernadette Peters, Marc Shaiman, Alan Cumming, Brian d'Arcy James and Aaron Krohn. Appearances will also be made by Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Cynthia Nixon, Kathy Bates, Dylan Baker and Richard Easton, among others.
All proceeds from the event benefit Roundabout Theatre Company's Musical Theatre Fund and Education programs. Award-winning actress and Roundabout board member Cynthia Nixon makes an appearance on behalf of Education at Roundabout. She participates in a live auction to raise funds for the Roundabout extensive education programs, which serve over 6,000 students and teachers in schools throughout all five boroughs.
Underwriter ticket buyers and above are also invited to a private cocktail party with guest artists and VIPs at 6 PM. Ticket prices are $5,000 Producer's Circle Single Ticket (includes private cocktail party with Roundabout artists, seating at the dinner and tribute), $3,000 Underwriter Single Ticket (includes private cocktail party with Roundabout artists, seating at the dinner and tribute) and $1,500 Patron Single Ticket (includes dinner and tribute). Ten-person group table seating is also available. The Hammerstein Ballroom is located at 311 West 34th Street. For tickets, contact Lane Hosmer at (212) 719-9393, ext. 312. For more information, visit RoundaboutTheatre.org.