Andrew Lippa Hosts Tonight's Dramatists Guild Gala, Showcasing Playwrights, Lyricists and Composers

Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris joins starry line up for the Dramatists Guild Fund's annual gala Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars, set for tonight, October 27 at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street). The cocktail reception will begin at 6:30pm, followed by the dinner and celebration at 7:30pm.

2013 Gala honoree and Board member, Roe Green has generously pledged a matching gift of all funds raised from October 1 through the gala tonight up $125,000.

These funds will be used to support the production of The Legacy Project, which is now in colleges and universities around the world. To reach the goal of $125,000 the DGF needs to raise $16,800 through donations and through the silent auction. To make a tax deductible donation to The Dramatists Guild Fund, visit www.dramatistsguildfund.org/#donate.

An initiative of The Dramatists Guild Fund, The Legacy Project documents and preserves the creative process of America's most esteemed dramatists in a series of filmed conversations, each featuring an established stage author (or team of collaborators) and an emerging one. These discussions about life, craft, and inspiration are meant to endow artists for generations to come. In Annie Baker's interview with Terrence McNally, he tells of the emotional trip he took to Verdi's home in Italy, and how moved he was that, "someone from such humble beginnings could give the world so much." Verdi inspired Terrence, who inspires Annie, who inspires her students, including those at Northwestern for her recent Traveling Masters visit, and the cycle continues. The impact of a writer's work is immeasurable.

This year's silent auction includes handwritten Stephen Sondheim music and handwritten Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty music along with many priceless and once in a lifetime opportunities. For a complete list, visit http://bit.ly/dgfund_auction.

This year's event will be hosted by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, I Am Harvey Milk) and will feature legendary playwrights, lyricists and composers introducing the stars who brought their work to life on stage, including Scott Frankel & Michel Korie (Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven) Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello), Lisa Kron (Fun Home, Well), James Lapine (Into the Woods, Act One), Terrence McNally (Master Class, It's Only A Play), Charles Strouse (Bye Bye Birdie, Annie), Jeanine Tesori (Caroline or Change, Violet), Stephen Trask (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Cavedweller). The stars they'll be 'thanking' include Kate Baldwin, Matthew Broderick, Joanna Gleason, Linda Lavin, Sydney Lucas and Chip Zien as they perform the songs and scenes from their iconic shows.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride