The one-hour memorial tribute featured direction by David Zippel and Lee Mindel with musical direction by Paul Trueblood. The afternoon featured appearances by Lauren Bacall, Stephanie J. Block, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Amanda Green, Beth Leavel, Karen Ziemba, Lucie Arnaz, Judith Blazer, Carolee Carmello, Barbara Cook, Christine Ebersole, Lypsinka, Audra McDonald, Phyllis Newman, Elaine Stritch, Mary Testa, Leslie Uggams and Lillias White.

Betty Comden, the award-winning lyricist and librettist who — with writing partner Adolph Green — created such iconic New York musicals as Bells Are Ringing, Wonderful Town and On the Town, died Nov. 23, 2006. She was 89.

At left (from top): Brian Stokes and Allyson Tucker Mitchell; Elaine Stritch; Tommy Tune; Lucy Arnaz; Celeste Holm and George S. Irving; Carolee Carmello; Scott Wittman and Angie Schworer; Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway; Roger Berlind and Marian Seldes; Christine Ebersole; Rachelle Rak and Marc Shaiman; and Barbara Cook.

Below: Stephanie J. Block, Karen Ziemba and Beth Leavel; The company of Great Women Salute a Great Woman.

***

photos by Aubrey Reuben