Benefit Gala Honoring Nathan Lane hosted by Matthew Broderick at The Plaza Hotel.
November 5, 2018: The Drama League presented the 35th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane. The event at The Plaza Hotel hosted by Matthew Broderick also honored producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in the American Theater.
The one-night-only musical tribute to Mr. Lane and his illustrious career featured appearances by Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Andrea Martin, Billy Eichner, Brita Filter, Santino Fontana, Mark Linn-Baker, Diane Paulus, Alex Newell, Ernie Sabella, Jarrod Spector, Stephanie’s Child, Teal Wicks, R.L. Stine, Susan Stroman, and Jerry Zaks.
Drama League Directors Project alum West Hyler directed and co-wrote the program, with Laura Brandel an associate director. The 35th Annual Benefit Gala is produced by Drama League Associate Producer Travis LeMont Ballenger with Gala Associate Producer Sean Gorski. The creative team included David Evans (music direction), Alessandra Marconi (choreography), Timothy Huang (additional lyrics), Melissa Spengler-Winner (production stage management), Nick Kolin (lighting design), Michael Tracey (sound design), Whitney Locher (costume design).
The Gala Co-Chairs are Kathy Henderson, Janet M. Kagan, and Joseph Pizza; Leadership support for The Benefit Gala is also provided by its Vice Chairs: Art Lab LLC, Anna May & Tim Feige, Fearless Productions LLC, Una Jackman & Jay Alix, Mary Jain, Chip & Cindy Murphy, Stan Ponte & John Metzner, and JoAnn & John Weisel. The Benefit Gala Committee members are Bonnie Comley & Stewart F. Lane, Leslie C. Feldman, Robert Jezowski, and The Leo Shull Foundation for the Arts. Sceneworks Studios is a Major Sponsor of the 2018 Benefit Gala. MAC Cosmetics is the Official Make- Up Partner of The Drama League.
Gala Production Director: West Hyler. Gala Producer: Travis LeMont Ballenger. Gala Co-Chairs are Kathy Henderson, Janet M. Kagan, and Joseph Pizza. The Drama League: Board President Stan Ponte. Executive Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks.
Photography: Barry Gordin
