Tony-Winner Billy Porter to be Honored at NYMF's 10th Annual Gala, 11/10

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced that 2013 Tony Awardâ winner Billy Porter will be honored at its 10th Anniversary Gala to be held on Sunday, November 10th, at the Hudson Theater in Manhattan. The Gala will also celebrate NYMF's 10 years of creating and nurturing new musical theatre.

Porter was chosen for his extensive contribution to the field of musical theatre an actor, singer and director on and Off-Broadway. His recent performance in Kinky Boots was met with critical acclaim and garnered him the Tony Awardâfor the Best Actor in a Musical in 2013. Porter will be honored via performances by both his friends and NYMF alumni.

"Billy Porter is one of the rare individuals whose talent truly excels in any medium," said Executive Director & Producer of The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Dan Markley. "Billy's work as a Director was a highlight of our 2008 Festival, and on our 10th Anniversary, we are thrilled to honor this multi-talented artist for his many contributions to the theater."

Actress Susan Blackwell, who hosted last year's Gala and starred in this summer's Volleygirls at NYMF, will return as host of the evening's entertainment. Blackwell made an indelible impression at NYMF 2004 in the endlessly original [title of show], in a role that took her to Broadway and beyond.

Tickets to NYMF's 10th Anniversary Gala are selling quickly. For more information or to purchase your ticket now, visit nymf.org/gala or call 212-664-0979 ext. 12.

Each November, NYMF closes its season with a gala celebrating the year's artistic triumphs and honoring an individual or company whose work has contributed to the continued vitality of musical theatre.

Held at the beautiful Hudson Theatre, a former Broadway theater now part of the Millennium Hotel in Times Square, this one of a kind event is attended by some 300 musical theatre lovers, Broadway artists, and leading members of the theatre industry.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, in which guests are treated to a gourmet meal and a star-studded show dedicated to the evening's honorees, with performances by major artists celebrating their achievements. Following the show, VIP guests join the honorees and artists for an exclusive after-party.

Past NYMF honorees have included Tony Nominee Kelli O'Hara, Broadway legend Chita Rivera, NBC "Smash" creators Neil Meron & Craig Zadan, GRAMMY Award-winning Sh-K-Boom Records, NYC television news program NY1 On Stage, Broadway producers Barry & Fran Weissler, Kevin McCollum, and Robyn Goodman.

Billy Porter (Actor, Singer) is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts with a B.F.A in Drama. He also holds a certification from The Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. Porter has starred in Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award, Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle Award Winner), Miss Saigon, Five Guys..., Grease, Smokey Joe's..., Dreamgirls. Off-Broadway/Regional: Angels In America, Merchant Of Venice, Radiant Baby, Birdie Blue, Songs For A New World. Ghetto Superstar (One-Man Show), Topdog/Underdog, King Lear, The Further Adventures Of Hedda Gabler. Film/TV: The Broken Hearts Club, Shake Rattle & Roll, Noel, "Law & Order," "The Big C." Recording: Untitled, At The Corner Of Broadway & Soul.

Porter's solo musical career includes two studio albums, Billy Porter released by A&M Records in 1997 and At the Corner of Broadway + Soul in 2005 which was released by Sh-K-Boom Records. He was also featured in a number of songs in the tribute album It's Only Life: The Songs of John Bucchino which was released in 2006 on PS Classics and in Adam Guettel's album Myths and Hymns on Nonesuch Records.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski