Photo Coverage: 'Pamela' Opening Night Party at Sardis

Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie and noted theatre columnist Michael Riedel joined two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy in the eagerly anticipated benefit performance of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel, book by Tony & Pulitzer Award winner Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele. In addition, Lila Coogan has been cast in the role of 'Pamela.' Coogan is currently appearing as 'Jane Banks' in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. The all-star cast also includes Lynn Ahrens, Christian Borle, Carolee Carmello, Sandy Duncan, Gregg Edelman, Christine Ebersole, Stephen Flaherty, Kathie Lee Gifford, Adam Heller, Richard Kind, Robert Klein, Tommy Tune and many others. Special guest David Garrison made appearance as Producer Bernie S. Gerry.

The special concert of PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL was held on Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) with a reception at Sardi's immediately following.  Proceeds will benefit BC/EFA and Theatre Development Fund's Open Doors Program, which Wasserstein founded.

This delightful one-act musical, based on Wasserstein's 1996 children's book, tells the story of a young girl from the suburbs who spends an unforgettable birthday with her eccentric, sophisticated Aunt Louise (Murphy) attending a lavish Broadway production and meeting all the glamorous, creative people who made it possible.

BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and other related illnesses. For more information please visit www.broadwaycares.org

Photos by Peter James Zielinski