The Drama League's Embrace the Season gala was held November 13 at New York's Edison Ballroom, and we've got the photos to prove it!
On hand to make appearances at the annual event were Annaleigh Ashford (Sweeney Todd), Andrew Durand (Shucked), Betsy Aidem, Rebekah Greer Melocik, Jacob Yondura, PigPen Theatre Co., Arielle Jacobs (Here Lies Love), Joy Huerta, Benjamin Velez (Real Women Have Curves), Schele Williams (The Wiz, The Notebook), Leslie Odom, Jr. (Purlie Victorious), Danny Burstein (Pictures From Home), Jessica Hecht (Fiddler on the Roof), Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess), and Diane Paulus (Porgy and Bess). Odom Jr., Burstein, Hecht, Lewis, and Paulus were on hand to pay tribute to 2023 honoree, Tony-winning producer Jeffrey Richards.
Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez
Andrew Durand
Jeffrey Richards
Leslie Odom, Jr.
Schele Williams
Norm Lewis
Arielle Jacobs
Annaleigh Ashford
Kara Young
Danny Burstein
Jelani Remy
Norm Lewis
Arielle Jacobs
Rebekah Greer Melocik and Jacob Yandura
Leslie Odom, Jr.
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young
Joy Huerta
Jeffrey Richards
Betsy Aidem
Arielle Jacobs
Arielle Jacobs
Annaleigh Ashford
Annaleigh Ashford
Embrace the Season was directed by Sheryl Kaller and Ben Villegas Randle, with musical direction by David Evans. The event was chaired by Mary Jain, and the creative team also included line producer Mary Martha Ford, stage manager Karen Schleifer, event director Karen Rosenberg, artistic associate Andrew Coopman, and production assistant Michelle Chan.
The evening was designed to uplift the New York theatrical community, and this year, it honored Broadway producer Richards. Richards is celebrating five decades as a producer and publicist and is currently represented on Broadway with the revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.
The event was produced by Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, with underwriting from Bob Boyett/RB Theatricals, Broadway HD, Darin Oduyoye, and Susan Edelstein Productions, and additional support from 101 Productions, Caiola Productions, City National Bank, the John Gore Organization, The Nederlander Organization, and Stan Ponte.
Visit DramaLeague.org.
