Alexander Gemignani, son of the honoree, hosted the evening's entertainment, which was directed by Lonny Price with music direction by Tedd Firth.
Scheduled to perform were Kate Baldwin, Mario Cantone, Jenn Colella, Josh Grisetti, Tony winner George Hearn, Marin Mazzie, Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and Chip Zien with a special appearance by Alice Hammerstein Mathias.
Paul Gemignani has been the music director for more than 40 Broadway and West End productions, including Follies, Candide, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and South Pacific, among many others. Gemignani has appeared as a guest conductor with symphonies around the globe, and has worked in television and film. He has also received many distinctions and nominations for his outstanding work in musical theatre, including the 2001 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The Oscard Hammerstein Award, named in honor of the prolific lyricist, recognizes "significant lifetime achievement in musical theatre." The award is presented at an annual gala which benefits The York Theatre Company, and is presented with the endorsement of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and the Hammerstein Family. Past recipients include Stephen Sondheim, Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Harold Prince, Cy Coleman, Charles Strouse, Arthur Laurents, Jerry Herman, Stephen Schwartz, Peter Stone, David Merrick, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Terrence McNally, Cameron Mackintosh, Carol Channing, Tony Walton, Joseph Stein, George S. Irving, Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick, Thomas Meehan and Barbara Cook.
