Williamstown Theatre Festival to Honor Lewis Black at Annual Gala 11/17

The Williamstown Theatre Festival will honor award-winning performer Lewis Black at its 2008 Festival Gala, it was announced today.  The annual gala will take place on Monday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Cipriani 23rd Street in New York City.

Williamstown Theatre Festival artists participating in the evening’s events include: Nate Corddry, Rob Corddry, Christopher Fitzgerald and Jessica Stone, and James Naughton.

Co-chairs Cindy Elizter, Fredda Harris, Joan Hunter and Katherine Kollath Peabody head up a Benefit Committee which includes Kate Burton, Carolyn Cantor and David Korins, Marge Champion, Jill Clayburgh and David Rabe, Nate Corddry, Alexander Dodge, Scott Ellis, Christopher Fitzgerald and Jessica Stone, Gary Gersh, John Guare, Jane Kaczmarek, Nancy Kalodner, Fran and Ira Lapidus, James Naughton, Bo Peabody, Margaux and Mark Peabody, Theresa Rebeck, Campbell Scott and Courtney Smith.

Past honorees at the Williamstown Theatre Festival Gala include Kate Burton, Blythe Danner, A.R. Gurney and Tom Stoppard. To request an invitation or to purchase tickets, contact Ellen Lis, Director of Development, at (413) 597-4630.

Award-winning, multi-faceted performer Lewis Black is widely known for his hilariously incisive commentary seen on stage, screen, and in print.  On television, his critically lauded Comedy Central program, Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil has just finished its second season while his “Back in Black” segment continues to be a favorite on The Daily Show with John Stewart. He has appeared on many other television shows, including Larry King Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, The Late Show with David Letterman, CNN and MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

Black has performed as a standup comedian to sold-out audiences all over the world, including Europe, New Zealand, and Canada. He is currently on tour in the US where he is finishing up a five-day engagement at New York City’s Town Hall.  He has also written two best-selling books, Nothing's Sacred and Me of Little Faith, and 40 plays which have been produced at theaters across the country.

Black is also involved with many charitable organizations. At the Williamstown Theatre Festival, he established the Bill Foeller Fellowship for emerging young directors, hosted the Cabaret series, and performed in productions, including Once in a Lifetime, Camino Real, The Matchmaker, and Dead End. Black was also dedicated to both teaching and performing at the Festival for many years.

Continuing its 55-year history under the artistic direction of Nicholas Martin, Williamstown Theatre Festival hosts award-winning actors, directors and playwrights who join forces to entertain and delight the Berkshire community of year-round and seasonal patrons. In addition to its acclaimed productions, WTF has extensive training and professional development programs for the next generation of actors, writers, directors, designers and managers. In 2002, WTF received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

For more information please visit www.wtfestival.org

Photo Credit Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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