Julie Harris Honored at Starry Primary Stages Gala, 11/6

Julie Harris, one of America's most beloved leading ladies, will be honored at Primary Stages 22nd Anniversary Gala Benefit in The Crystal Room at Tavern on the Green on Monday evening, November 6th at 6:30pm.

In announcing this year's honoree, Primary Stages Artistic Director Andrew Leynse said, "Each year, we honor an artist who has made significant contributions to the American theater and the development of new plays in particular. The legendary Julie Harris is most deserving of such an honor."

For more than half a century, Harris has been recognized as the soul of the American theater. She is the most honored performer in Tony history with ten nominations and five victories. She won the award as Best Actress for I Am a Camera (1952), The Lark (1956), Forty Carats (1969), The Last of Mrs. Lincoln (1973), and The Belle of Amherst (1977). Her five additional nominations were for Marathon '33 (1964), The Au Pair Man (1974), Skyscraper (1966), Lucifer's Child (1991), and The Gin Game (1997).

"The Stage!' I knew it was where I wanted to be," stated Harris. "I loved it all. It became this great source of nourishment, spiritual nourishment, for me. I want to touch people with the meaning of life. What is thrilling about the theater is that it's a forum where people come and for those two or three hours belong to something, to ideas, to a feeling of being a member of the human race."

The entertainment for the evening will include testimonials by Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach, Elizabeth Wilson, Samuel "Biff" Liff, and Marian Seldes; clips from a special tribute to Harris' film work; and a scene and musical number from The Member of the Wedding, performed by Ruby Dee, Marin Ireland, and Gregg Edelman. Additional activities include a silent auction, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dinner.

Past honorees have included Susan Stroman, playwright Horton Foote and Primary Stages Founder and Executive Producer Casey Childs, playwright/actor Harvey Fierstein, playwright A.R. Gurney, playwright John Guare, songwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, playwright Wendy Wasserstein, and playwright Terrence McNally.

VIP Tables and individual tickets are now available ranging in price from $300 - $10,000. For additional information, or to purchase tables or tickets, please call Primary Stages Board Chair Sue Breger at 212-840-9705.

Visit www.primarystages.com for more on Primary Stages.