Phylicia Rashad To Be Honored at Westport Country Playhouse's Annual Gala

Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, who directed Westport Country Playhouse's "A Raisin in the Sun" last fall, will be honored at The Playhouse's annual fundraising gala on the evening of Monday, September 16. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 83rd season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community. The gala includes a one-night-only performance by Broadway talent and surprise guests.

"Phylicia is one of the most versatile miracles in show business," said Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. "The first African-American woman to win a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Lena Younger in the 2004 Broadway revival of 'A Raisin In The Sun,' her extraordinary talents have also been seen in Broadway musicals, on television's ground-breaking, long-running 'The Cosby Show,' and in important world premieres of the late plays of August Wilson.

"As a director, she helmed Westport Country Playhouse's acclaimed staging of 'A Raisin in the Sun' last season, and is currently creating productions around the country that inspire audiences with their blazing honesty and power," Lamos noted. "She continues to work in film, television, and live theater. And she mentors--she was the very first Denzel Washington Chair at Fordham University. All in all, it is a huge honor for us to be able to honor her for the vital roles she continues to play in American culture."

Phylicia Rashad has direcTed Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" at Ebony Repertory Theatre, and Kirk Douglas Theatre, in addition to Westport Country Playhouse; Paul Stovall's "Immediate Family" at Goodman Theatre; August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" at Seattle Repertory Company; and "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at the Mark Taper Forum. She will direct Wilson's "Fences" next fall at Long Wharf Theatre.

Her acting credits on Broadway include "August: Osage County," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," and Mark Lamos' production of "Cymbeline" at Lincoln Center Theatre. She received a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," and a Tony nomination for August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean." She was also in Broadway productions of "Into the Woods," "Dreamgirls," "The Wiz," and "Jelly's Last Jam." Films for TV include "Steel Magnolias," and "A Raisin in the Sun," for which she received the NAACP Image Award, as well as Emmy and SAG nominations. She is well-known for her television series, "The Cosby Show" and "Cosby."

A cocktail party will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. performance. Dinner with the evening's artists and special guests will be at 8:30 p.m. A silent auction will be on-going throughout the evening. Attire is festive; black tie optional.

The Gala Committee co-chairs are Katia and John Friend and Judy and Scott Phares, all of Westport. Karen Parrella of Weston is auction chair.

Gala tickets range from $2,500 to $250. Benefactor level, at $2,500 per person, includes a cocktail party, highest priority seating at performance, post-performance dinner with the evening's stars, and an invitation to a Benefactor Preview Party at a private home; Patron level, at $1,000 per person, includes a cocktail party, priority seating at performance, and post-performance dinner with the evening's stars. A limited number of show-only Supporter tickets are available at $250 per person. Corporate sponsorship packages are available. For more gala information or ticket purchases, contact Elizabeth Marks Juviler, special events coordinator, at (203) 227-5137, ext. 123, or ejuviler@westportplayhouse.org.