The starry evening will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and, as a nod to the building’s 1943 dedication ceremony, when Mayor LaGuardia conducted the New York Philharmonic, Mayor Bloomberg will take the stage to conduct the Encores! Orchestra.

The performance, which will be directed by Tony Award winner and former Encores! artistic director Kathleen Marshall, will celebrate New York City Center with performances, reminiscences and tributes. Among those scheduled to participate are Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Joshua Bell, Matthew Broderick, Barbara Cook, Denyce Graves, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Donna Murphy, New York City Ballet, Sarah Jessica Parker and Brian Williams.

The evening will also feature music direction by Encores! music director Rob Berman.

A post-performance dinner will be held at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Gala tickets start at $1,500. Performance-only tickets start at $50. For Gala information and tickets, contact Susan Strebel at [email protected] or (212) 763-1205.