The Lambs Celebrates 140 Years

by BWW News Desk May. 7, 2014

The Lambs marks its 140th year being lauded by Governor Andrew Cuomo as "an important component of New York City's cultural landscape."

The Lambs is America's first, and oldest, professional theatrical club. It was founded in NYC Christmas week of 1874 and incorporated in the State of New York on May 10, 1877. The Club received a Papal Blessing in 2000, and has been recognized by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Ken Howard, President of SAG-AFTRA, in a recent letter to The Lambs, stated "The longevity of The Lambs is a testament to its deeply rooted theater traditions, its honorable ideals and the good works of its creative and dedicated men and women."

Lambs were involved in the founding of The Actors Fund of America, ASCAP, Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild, and the merged union SAG-AFTRA. Lambs have garnered 66 Tony Awards including a 2014 Honorary Tony Award for member Joe Benincasa, CEO and President of The Actors Fund. Fred Astaire stated when he became a member, "I felt as if I had been knighted." Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe met at The Lambs; as a result Loewe left a percentage of royalties from BRIGADOON, which fuels The Lambs' Foundation. Among the more than 6,000 members over the years are Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein II, John Wayne...and current members include Joyce Randolph (Trixie of THE HONEYMOONERS), maestro Don Pippin (Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner) and actor Abe Vigoda. A complete list of members may be found on The Lambs' web site.

The Lambs is located adjacent to Radio City Music Hall on West 51st Street, where it has resided for almost 40 years, and where press junkets will be held following the 2014 Tony Awards program on June 8th.

For more information visit: www.The-Lambs.org and www.TheLambsFoundation.org.