The gala, subtitled A Broadway Tribute, recognizes not only the late composer-conductor Bernstein's work, but the 20th anniversary of MTW. David Hyde Pierce (of TV's "Frasier") hosts the 8 PM Nov. 24 gala at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan. As of Nov. 21, tickets were nearly gone, a spokesperson said. Call for information about availability.
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Lonny Price, former artistic director of MTW, directs and Jason Robert Brown, the Tony Award-winning composer of Parade, musical directs.
The honorary chairs of Bravo Bernstein! A Broadway Tribute are the composer's children, Alexander Bernstein, Jamie Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons, lyricist and Bernstein collaborator Betty Comden (who co wrote On the Town and Wonderful Town), and performers Barbara Cook, Phyllis Newman and Chita Rivera.
Broadway stars scheduled to take the stage at this time are Harolyn Blackwell (Candide), Judy Blazer (Titanic), Betty Buckley (Sunset Boulevard, Cats), Michael Cerveris (Tommy, Titanic), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Audra McDonald (Ragtime, Carousel) and Mary Testa (42nd Street), Jason Danieley (The Full Monty), Jessica Molaskey (A Man of No Importance), among others. "As Musical Theatre Works enters its third decade, we can think of no one more appropriate to salute than Mr. Bernstein," said MTW artistic director Thomas Cott, in a statement. "As New York's only not-for-profit theatre dedicated exclusively to the creation of new musicals, we take tremendous inspiration from Bernstein's many groundbreaking Broadway shows."
"With such a wonderful group of performers assembled to sing Bernstein's glorious music, we're sure that this year's gala will be just as memorable as last year's concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along," said MTW executive director Randy Ellen Lutterman. The Merrily benefit was a sold-out hit for MTW.
Proceeds from Bravo Bernstein! support MTW's artistic and educational activities, which include 10 new musicals currently in development and a newly-expanded college-to-career training program called Springboard, NYC. Further details are available on the organization’s website www.mtwnyc.org.
Tickets for the gala are available by calling (212) 677-0040, extension 305. Prices start at $150. A limited number of benefit-level seats at $500 and $1,000, or sponsor tables of 10 for $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000, include a special pre-concert VIP dinner and post-show cast reception.
The Hudson Theatre is located at 145 West 44th Street.
