Primary Stages has announced its 40th Anniversary Gala will be held October 7 at 6:00 PM at Sony Hall. The evening will honor Board President Marla Persky with the 2024 Einhorn Mentorship Award, and the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation with the Andrew Leynse Commitment to New Plays Award.
Several stage favorites are set to perform, including Jay Armstrong Johnson (Parade, On the Town), Jen Cody (Ibsen’s Ghost, Shrek the Musical), Judy Gold (Yes, I Can Say That!; The Judy Show! My Life as a Sitcom), Ellen Harvey (Little Women, Present Laughter), Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party), Jonathan Raviv (On That Day in Amsterdam, The Band’s Visit), Ryan Vasquez (The Notebook, Hamilton), Joy Woods (The Notebook, Six), and more to be announced.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have Marla Persky as the president of our Board of Directors,” Shane D. Hudson, Primary Stages Executive Director, said in a statement. “Her leadership, unwavering dedication, and long-standing friendship with Primary Stages inspire us daily, and her collaborative spirit continues to elevate our mission and vision. Marla’s mentorship of the staff at Primary Stages and throughout her professional life has been invaluable, fostering growth and empowerment at every level. During the pandemic, she served selflessly, guiding the organization through unprecedented challenges and strengthening it in ways that have made Primary Stages more influential than ever before.”
“The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation has long been a steadfast champion of early-career playwrights and the theatres that nurture them,” added Artistic Director Erin Daley. “Through their annual award, they have provided vital support to over 20 playwrights and their world-premiere productions, fostering a generation of new voices in theatre. Beyond elevating some of our favorite playwrights, the Foundation provided life-saving support to theatres during the challenges of COVID, allowing countless companies to continue their work both during and after the pandemic. For their dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our artists, we are deeply proud to recognize the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation for their extraordinary contributions to the theatre world.”
The Gala Benefit Committee includes Sue Breger, Jamie deRoy, Eleanor Holtzman, Carol Roaman, and Mary Susnjara.
The gala will be directed by Michelle Bossy (The Oxy Complex), with music direction by Will Van Dyke (The Heart of Rock and Roll). The evening will also include a comedy set from Judy Gold.
Visit PrimaryStages.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
