BY: Atul Kapoor Staff Writer For World Liberty TV

Honorees:  Film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award-winner Nathan Lane.  Theater producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in American Theater.

Host:  Matthew Broderick. Special guests:  Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Billy Eichner, Brita Filter, Santino Fontana, Mark Linn-Baker, Andrea Martin, Alex Newell, Ernie Sabella, Jarrod Spector, Stephanie’s Child, Teal Wicks, Terrence McNally, R.L. Stine, Susan Stroman, Jerry Zaks. 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.

The Drama League’s 35th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award-winner .

/8/”>Nathan Lane.

Celebrating Nathan Lane’s career in theater, film and television, including this last season’s Broadway revival of Angels in America, the gala will feature a one-night-only musical tribute in Mr. Lane’s honor hosted by Matthew Broderick with appearances by stars of both stage and screen, including Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Billy Eichner, Brita Filter, Santino Fontana, Mark Linn-Baker, Andrea Martin, Alex Newell, Ernie Sabella, Jarrod Spector, Stephanie’s Child, Teal Wicks, Terrence McNally, R.L. Stine, Susan Stroman, Jerry Zaks.

Drama League Directors Project alum West Hyler is the director and co-writer of the gala program, with Laura Brandel as 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 includes 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.

About Drama League: The Drama League is dedicated to creating transformative interactions between artists and audiences…above and beyond the performances they experience.

We harness this fruitful, essential engagement of the theater maker and the theater advocate to enhance the professional, personal and creative development of artists; to improve the quality of new work for the stage; and to imbue audiences with a richer, more informed experience.  By working together in a shared passion, we make the theater stronger for generations to come.

For a century, The Drama League has offered theater discounts, special benefits and exclusive access to its Members nationwide, and provided unparalleled training and professional development for emerging theater artists.  Each year, we produce over 100 theater-themed events across New York City, including the oldest theatrical honors in North America, The Drama League Awards, and classes, panels, forums, open rehearsals, workshops, and more at The Drama League Theater Center  in Tribeca.

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