Hosted by four-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury, the annual benefit, which begins at 7 PM at City Center, will be followed by a supper with the stars in The Hilton's Grand Ballroom. Written by Deborah Grace Winer and produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo, On Broadway! is described as a "glorious historical journey inside the Broadway musical seen through the eyes of legendary choreographers."
The evening will include appearances and/or performances by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Kelly Bishop, Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Krakowski, Bebe Neuwirth, Noah Racey, Brooke Shields, Karen Ziemba, American Ballet Theatre stars Xiomara Reyes and Herman Cornejo, the Nanjing Duo and artists from New York Theatre Ballet. The performers will be accompanied by the Jubilee Orchestra under the direction of Jim Morgan.
Among the evening's musical numbers will be Karen Ziemba and Noah Racey performing a duet from Crazy for You; Bebe Neuwirth, David Gibson and Pam Sousa in the "Manson Trio" from Pippin; and Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson singing Damn Yankees' "Two Lost Souls" as well as a number from Tommy Tune and the evening's finale, Seesaw's "It's Not Where You Start."
Randy Skinner will also stage a large chorus number from 42nd Street, Josh Bergassee will stage "Cool" from West Side Story, Mary MacLeod will stage Bob Fosse's "Steam Heat" from The Pajama Game, Mercedes Ellington will stage "On Broadway," and the New York Theater Ballet will perform the "Dream Ballet" from Oklahoma!
The evening will also feature the presentation of awards to veteran Broadway actor-director-choreographer Tommy Tune, Brian Heidtke and dancer-actress Sono Osata. Tune will receive the Rolex Dance Award, Heidtke and Osata will be presented with Career Transition for Dancers' Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance. In a previous statement Allen Brill, President and CEO of Rolex Watch USA, said, "We are pleased to present the Rolex Dance Award to Tommy Tune, the most illustrious choreographer, dancer, singer and director of our time. This winner of nine Tony Awards and The National Medal of Arts is not only dedicated to the art of dance, but also to supporting the mission of Career Transition for Dancers. We are pleased to celebrate his legendary career and many contributions to the world of dance."
Heidtke has been an active member of the dance community for years, serving both as board trustee and as a financial supporter. He is the Vice President and Treasurer of ABT and chairs its education committee.
Osata, who danced with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Ballet Theatre, appeared on Broadway in Once Touch of Venus and On the Town (as Miss Turnstiles).
The Honorary Chairs are Cynthia Gregory, Donna McKechnie, Kevin McKenzie, Jane Powell, Ann Reinking and Chita Rivera.
Career Transition for Dancers, which was founded in 1985, has helped over "3,700 professional dancers identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option." For more information visit www.careertransition.org.
Presented by Rolex, gala tickets for On Broadway! — including performance, supper, auction and dancing — are priced $600-$1,200 and are available by calling (212) 228-7446, ext. 33. Show-only tickets, priced $45-$130, will be available shortly.
City Center is located in Manhattan at 131 West 55th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
