|
On March 31st at
New York City's Pierre Hotel, the
National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) honored the Edgerton
Foundation for its leadership in the theatre arts at the
NCTF 2014 Chairman's Awards Gala.
The event raised an unprecedented $815,000 for new
theatrical works at NCTF's member
theatres, which includes a generous matching grant of
$250,000 from honoree the Edgerton Foundation. Tony and Emmy
Award Winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth was
recognized with the
Theatre Artist Award.
More than 300 theatre patrons, Broadway
leaders and industry professionals from across the country
gathered for an evening honoring individuals and
institutions that have made significant contributions to the
national theatre community, with an exciting program of
performances and special appearances. The generous matching
gift provided by the Edgerton Foundation, the recipient of
the Leadership in
Theatre Award, and
other NCTF patrons has ensured the continued creation of
innovative and thought-provoking productions at regional
theatres across the United States.
"We
define success as when a play gets produced over and over
again across the country. Our goal with the NCTF matching
grant for new works is to help playwrights, production teams
and theatres create new dramatic works that will become part
of the American theatre fabric and entertain audiences
across the country for generations to come, " said
Brad Edgerton, co-director of the foundation with this wife
Louise Edgerton. "Live
theatre is a shared wonderful experience. Let's
keep theatre strong
in this country."
The Edgerton Foundation awards new plays and
theatres with grants that help create stronger first
productions which increase the chances for the show's
staying power. Witness
Uganda, directed by Diane Paulus, is an Edgerton
Foundation new play winner (2014
Richard Rodgers Award Winner), and has received excellent
reviews. Matt
Gould, Griffin Matthews and members of the American
Repertory Theater cast performed the powerful song "Kyussa" from
the production at the gala to
a standing ovation.
Productions supported in the past by the
Edgerton Foundation include 13, All
the Way, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Pulitzer
Nominee), Good People (Tony
Nominee), In
the Next Room or the Vibrator Play (Pulitzer
and Tony Nominee), Next to Normal (Pulitzer
Prize Winner, Tony Nominee), and Vanya
and Sonia and Masha and
Spike (Tony Winner).
Known to most as Glinda from Wicked,
Broadway legend and Tony and Emmy Award Winner Kristin
Chenoweth received the 'Theatre Artist Award' and joined the
Edgerton Foundation in championing funding for new works.
"Giving
a voice to original work, that's
mostly what I've done," said
Ms. Chenoweth. "This
award means so much to me and I proudly represent all of you
and thank you for what you've done
and will continue to do."
Comedian of the stage and screen Kathy Najimy,
joined by her daughter − Samia
Najimy Finnerty, gave a special tribute to Kristin
Chenoweth. Music
Director and conductor Mary Mitchell Campbell, who has
recently conducted
and performed with Chenoweth, Carole King, and Alicia Keys,
took part in the tribute to Chenoweth.
Chenoweth's stunning talent with singing,
dancing and acting has garnered her critical acclaim in
Broadway hits You're
a Good Man Charlie Brown; Steel
Pier; The
Apple Tree; and Promises, Promises;
as well as on acclaimed television shows "The
West Wing" and
"Pushing Daisies." She has
also guest starred on numerous shows, including "Sesame
Street" and "Glee." Her
big screen credits include The
Pink Panther, Bewitched and
more.
Chenoweth is currently in production on
several film projects, including Universal's
The Boy Next Door, alongside Jennifer Lopez, A
Bet's A Bet with
Mena Suvari and Eric Roberts and an indie teen drama
entitled Hard
Sell. In spring of 2014, she will be seen in Rio
2, voicing
the character of Gaby, a hilarious poisonous frog. She most
recently appeared in a guest arc on the TV Land series, "Kirstie"
and reprised her nominated role in the 100th episode of "Glee. " In
May, she will return to the famed Carnegie Hall for the
first time since her sold-out solo debut in 2004.
The evening also included a variety of
special performances and appearances to the delight of the
attendees. An original musical number, created by Kevin Duda
and Jason Michael Snow, along with director Connor Gallagher
and Music Director Paul Staroba, had the crowd on its feet.
It included Broadway's freshest talent: Michael Campayno,
Alison Cimmet, Jessica Hershberg, Greg Hildreth, Rashidra
Scott and Tommar Wilson.
Highlights of the evening included a special
performance by Tony Award Winner Jefferson Mays and Bryce
Pinkham, stars of the current hit musical A
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (developed
and performed at two NCTF regional theatres); an excerpt
from the highly acclaimed musical Witness
Uganda, currently at A.R.T. (an NCTF member theatre);
and an appearance by legendary comedian Lily Tomlin to honor
Benjamin Moore, founding
NCTF Board Member and Managing Director of Seattle Repertory
Theatre. Moore is retiring after a prolific career in
not‐for‐profit regional theatre.
The gala was chaired by Chairman James S.
Turley, former CEO of Ernst & Young; Cisco Systems, Inc.;
Joseph F. Kirk, Wells Fargo; and world-renowned playwright
David Henry Hwang. Bank of America served as the Reception
sponsor.
"Today's
regional theatres share a common thread with the corporate
world: a focus on innovation, creativity and strong
community leadership. I am proud to support outstanding
theatre programming and education initiatives at NCTF
theatres across the U.S.," said
James S. Turley, Chairman of NCTF.
"The
connections NCTF makes between theatre, philanthropic and
arts communities recognize the immeasurable impact of the
arts on the vitality of the communities in which they are
based," said Bruce Whitacre, Executive Director of NCTF. "It
is a privilege to celebrate the incredible work and
influence of regional theatre with the many artists,
supporters and organizations that have made these programs a
reality. It is truly a pleasure to honor Ms. Chenoweth and
the Edgerton Foundation today for their role in advancing
theatre in America."
About
National Corporate Theatre Fund
www.nctf.org
National Corporate Theatre Fun (NCTF) is a
not-for-profit association dedicated to sustaining America's
finest not-for-profit theatres, on the stage and in the
community, through innovative partnerships with companies,
individuals and artists. From its base in New York, NCTF
provides a national vehicle for the flow of theatre,
collaboration and ideas to and from key markets.
Since 1978, NCTF has raised millions of
dollars for its member theatres. NCTF theatres contribute to
our creative and cultural life – benefiting local
communities, children, employees and the economy. Launched
in 2012, its Impact Creativity campaign
www.impactcreativity.org
is one of the largest efforts to sustain and grow arts
education programs across the country. Productions
originating at NCTF theatres have transferred to New York
and other theatres, and have won dozens of Tony Awards and
Pulitzer Prizes. They enrich lives of the local residents,
provide creative opportunities for distinguished and
emerging performers, serve as incubators for new works, and
engage over 500,000 children most from economically
disadvantaged neighborhoods through their theatre education
programs.
NCTF member theatres include the Actors
Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater,
American Repertory Theater, Center Theatre Group, Cleveland
Play House, Guthrie Theater, Long Warf Theatre, The Old
Globe, Seattle Repertory Theatre and Trinity Repertory
Company. Their Affiliate Network includes the Alley Theatre,
Alliance Theatre, Arena Stage, Arizona Theatre Company,
Dallas Theatre Center, Denver Center for the Performing
Arts, Goodman Theater, Hartford Stage, Manhattan Theatre
Club, and Walnut Street Theatre.
The following artists serve on NCTF's
Artistic Advisory Council: Edward Asner, Brent Barrett,
Annette Bening, Robert Brustein, Kathleen Chalfant, Glenn
Close, Billy Crudup, Gordon Davidson, David Henry Hwang,
Cherry Jones, Swoosie Kurtz, John Lithgow, Jerry Mitchell,
Kate Mulgrew, Laura Pels, David Hyde Pierce, Daryl Roth,
Marian Seldes, Patrick Stewart, and Paula Vogel.
|