On March 31st at New York City's Pierre Hotel, the National
Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) will honor Tony and Emmy Award
Winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth, and the
Edgerton Foundation for their leadership in the arts at the
NCTF 2014 Chairman's Awards Gala.
More than 300 theatre patrons, Broadway leaders and industry
professionals from across the country will gather for an
evening honoring individuals and institutions that have made
significant contributions to the national theatre community,
and an exciting program of performances and special
appearances is expected.
The evening will include a special performance by Tony Award
Winner Jefferson Mays and Bruce Pinkham, stars of the
current hit musical A
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder; an excerpt from
the highly acclaimed show Witness
Uganda, currently at A.R.T. (an NCTF member theatre);
and an appearance by legendary comedian Lily Tomlin,
currently on tour with a solo show. Tomlin will offer a
special salute to departing NCTF Board Members. Mays and
Pinkham will perform 'Better With a Man' accompanied by
composer Steven Lutvak at the piano. A
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder was
developed and performed at two of NCTF's theatres, Hartford
Stage and Old Globe, before becoming a recent hit on
Broadway.
The evening, which will raise funds for NCTF's ten nonprofit
member theatres in the U.S., will be 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 serves as the
Reception sponsor. Proceeds will be generously matched with
a grant of up to $250,000 from the Edgerton Foundation which
will benefit new theatrical works at NCTF's member theatres,
ensuring the creation of another year of innovative and
thought-provoking productions nationwide.
"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. Known to most as Glinda from Wicked,
Broadway legend and Tony and Emmy Award Winner Kristin
Chenoweth will receive the "Theatre Artist Award" at the
Gala. Writer and Producer Robert Harling will present.
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.
Additionally, she will be featured in a guest arc on the TV
Land series, 'Kirstie' and will return for the 100th episode
of ?Glee,? set to air in March. "It is an honor to be
recognized as NCTF's Theatre Artist Award winner this year",
said Ms. Chenoweth. "It is through partnerships like those
facilitated by NCTF, and the great theatres they support,
that our visions as artists can be explored and developed
for the public. This is truly inspiring."
The "Leadership in Theatre Award" will be going to the
Edgerton Foundation for their substantial contribution to
the creation of significant new work in the American
Theatre. Most recently, the Foundation offered a matching
grant of up to 250,000 dollars for all new or increased
contributions to the NCTF Gala, providing nonprofit theatres
such as Los Angeles Center Theatre Group; San Francisco's
American Conservatory Theater; Cleveland Play House; and the
Seattle Repertory Theatre, among others, with significant
investments for new productions. 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), Vanya
and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Tony
Winner), and
Witness Uganda (2014
Richard Rodgers Award Winner).
"The connections NCTF makes between theatre,
philanthropic and arts communities reflect a recognition of
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 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.
www.nctf.org
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