Joseph P. Benincasa News

400 Lucky People Got To See Show Biz History Made Last Night at the Friars Sinatra Celebration and BroadwayWorld was there, check out the photos below.

If this Jamie deRoy 25th Anniversary Show was competing against some of those great Ed Sullivan variety episodes it would have been no contest.  First of all, Jamie knows how to give an introduction, is an entertainer herself, and the best in entertainment business sign up to be in a Jamie deRoy & friends show . The Actors Fund presented this 40th annual 30th Jamie Birthday show and it was truly a spectacular event with some of the most talented performers on the stage at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at the john Jay College of Criminal Justice.  The only crime last night was that the event wasn't televised live but I'm sure excerpts will be available on Jamie's cable TV show and through the facilities of The Actors Fund.  

Who wouldn't want to see this? BroadwayWorld has learned that Nathan Lane will read a love letter to Brian Dennehy onstage at Threatre Communications Group's gala this coming Monday, November 9, 2015 at The Edison Ballroom.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes five new members to its board of directors: Adrian Budhu, managing director, The Theater Offensive, Boston, MA; Christopher Acebo, associate artistic director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR; Meghan Pressman, managing director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC; Nikkole Salter, actress, playwright, educator, and arts advocate, Bloomfield, NJ; Harold Wolpert, managing director, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY.

Surprising no one who's been following the Kickstarter campaign, it was announced today by producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron that the upcoming concert presentation of the musical Bombshell from the TV series 'Smash,' created by Theresa Rebeck with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, co-directed by Joshua Bergasse and Scott Wittman with choreography by Joshua Bergasse, is SOLD OUT! The response for the one-night only landmark event benefitting The Actors Fund, which sold out in just over one hour and to be held Monday evening, June 8, 2015 at The Minskoff Theatre (1515 Broadway) has been overwhelming helping to raise much needed funds for the non-profit organization.

Yesterday, November 10, 2014, Theatre Communications Group (TCG) celebrated its annual gala. This year the organization honored Jules Fisher, Lynn Nottage, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. The performances included previews of two productions from TCG Member Theatres: A Walk on the Moon (New York Stage and Film) and Immediate Family (About Face Theatre, Center Theatre Group, and the Goodman Theatre). Scroll down for photos from the event!

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes new officers and nine new members to its board of directors. Sarah Bellamy, co-artistic director of Penumbra Theatre Company, and Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, succeed Robert Hupp and Lydia R. Diamond as joint vice presidents. Jonathan Moscone, artistic director of California Shakespeare Theater, succeeds Ralph Bryan as secretary. Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group, and Tim Jennings, managing director of Children's Theatre Company, remain as president and treasurer, respectively.

Tony Award Winners and Nominees took the stage last night at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's annual Spotlight Gala sponsored by The Women's Association of NJPAC and BroadwayWorld was there to snap photos of the evening! Check them out below!

The cast of the star-studded Broadway production of the backstage comedy It's Only A Play, by 4-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, including F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing, Rupert Grint, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Micah Stock, just met the press yesterday. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the festivities and you can check out photos of the stars' arrivals below!

It's almost here! The 2014 Tony Awards will air on CBS Sunday night, June 8 at 8pm and, as usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tony Day, Night and Beyond!

It's finally here! Follow along with BroadwayWorld.com ALL night, while you're glued to CBS on TV for all things Tony Awards. We've got not one, not two, but THREE exclusive live blogs from Michael Dale backstage, superfan BroadwayGirlNYC, and BroadwayWorld.com's West End Editor Carrie Dunn with her trademark British snark (or 'Britsnark' as she calls it). Check out our homepage for ALL things Tonys!

It's tonight! The 2014 Tony Awards will air on CBS tonight, June 8 at 8pm and, as usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tony Day, Night and Beyond!

The Actors Fund's annual gala yesterday raised a record-breaking $1.6 million, as a sold-out audience at the New Amsterdam Theatre witnessed stars of 20 years of Disney on Broadway in highlights from the producing powerhouse's history of award-winning shows. The evening honored the creative collaborators and staff members of Disney Theatrical Productions as they celebrate 20 years on Broadway. Formed in 1994 and operating under the direction of president and producer Thomas Schumacher, Disney received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 132-year old non-profit human services organization. In addition, Fund CEO Joseph P. Benincasa received The Fund's honor for 25 years of service to the creative community.

Follow us on BWW throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more! The 2014 Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Sunday, June 8th on CBS. Our official Tony coverage kicks off - NOW!

The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 28, 2014 honoring Disney Theatrical Productions will feature a one-night-only benefit performance including surprise appearances and production numbers from Disney's award-winning musicals.

The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 28, 2014 will honor Disney Theatrical Productions as they celebrate 20 years on Broadway. The producing organization, formed in 1994 and operating under the direction of president and producer Thomas Schumacher,will receive the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 132-year old non-profit human services organization.

The Actors Fund, the nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, has just announced that AUCTION OF 1000 STARS is back! This unique, online charity auction will raise money to support the services and programs of The Actors Fund. Online bidding is now live through September 10th.

Joseph P. Benincasa, the President & CEO of the Actors Fund just released the followibg statement on Superstorm Sandy:

The Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation (AFHDC) today launched a market study to determine the interests of performing and visual artists and others associated with the arts, entertainment and creative industries in affordable housing in Rahway, NJ. In an event at the new Hamilton Stage, the AFHDC began a four-week initiative to survey artists from metropolitan New York to Trenton, NJ. Survey results will help shape the Rahway Residence for the Arts, a 69-unit affordable housing project the AFHDC will develop in the Rahway Arts District (RAD).

Today, the Supreme Court declared the constitutionality of President Obama's individual mandate insurance law that requires individuals to get insurance or pay a tax in 'penalty' beginning in 2014. The Actors Fund's President & CEO Joseph P. Benincasa reacts response to today's Supreme Court decision and explains why it is good for Artists.