Luft, the daughter of entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, will receive the Frank Carrington Excellence in the Arts Award at the event. Paper Mill will also honor John McEwen and The New Jersey Theatre Alliance with the Byrne Kean Arts Advocate Award and Charles Pascarella with the Antoinette Scudder Patron of the Arts Award.

Named after Paper Mill Playhouse's co-founder and first executive producer, the Frank Carrington Award is given to an artist "who has been a member of the Paper Mill family and also accomplished great things in the entertainment industry." Previous recipients include Alan Menken and Lynn Redgrave.

The reception and silent auction will begin at 6 PM and is followed by dinner and dancing. The evening will feature performances from Luft, The Eddie Bruce Band and students from Paper Mill's Theatre School, Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and Artist Training programs.

Luft appeared in as Fran in the original run of Broadway's Promises, Promises, and toured as Adelaide in the Jerry Zaks-directed revival of Guys and Dolls. She made her television debut singing at age 11 on her mother's series, "The Judy Garland Show." At 16, she shared the bill with her mom on Broadway in Judy Garland: At Home at the Palace in 1967. For more on Luft's theatrical history, visit the Playbill Vault.

Proceeds from the gala support Paper Mill's productions, professional training programs and arts education curriculum. Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ. For more information and tickets, contact Leigh Schaedel at (973) 315-1663 or [email protected] or visit www.papermill.org.