Photo Coverage: Kander & Ebb 'COME TO THE CABARET' Benefit - Performance

Raul Esparza, Terrence McNally, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba, among other Kander and Ebb alums, headlined Come to the Cabaret: A Celebration of Kander and Ebb. Directed by John Doyle with Mary-Mitchell Campbell lending her talents as music director, the May 4th star-studded evening was a benefit for The Acting Company and was held and The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45thSt.) 

Come to the Cabaret is inspired by last year's smash concert, The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim which starred Angela Lansbury leading a cast of Broadway favorites performing signature Sondheim songs. The evening celebrated The Acting Company's 35th Anniversary, and was also directed by Doyle.

This year's event was a celebration of the legendary composing team, John Kanderand Fred Ebb whose contributions to the musical theater include 70 Girls, 70, The Act, Cabaret, Chicago, Curtains, Flora the Red Menace, The Happy Time, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink, Steel Pier, Woman of the Year, Zorba, and the films, Funny Lady and New York, New York. Their songs have gone beyond stage and screen to expand The American Songbook.

Honored with a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater, The Acting Company has produced 36 national tours of 131 classic and new plays adapted from American literary masterpieces. Its current tour-in tandem with the Guthrie Theater-features Shakespeare's Henry V and James Fenimore Cooper's The Spy, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher Henry V recently played the New Victory Theater to the same rave reviews it has garnered across the country. The Acting Company gives young classically trained actors the opportunity to perform the classics while bringing theater into under-served communities and disadvantaged school systems. Founded in 1972 by the legendaryJohn Houseman and current Producing Artistic Director, Margot Harley, its alumni roster of over 300 includes Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Frances Conroy, Jesse L. Martin, Harriet Harris, Keith David, Jeffrey Wright and Rainn Wilson.

For more information visit, The Acting Company .

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Program for The Acting Company Gala Benefit Come to the Cabaret - A Celebration of Kander and Ebb

Come to the Cabaret!

Raul Esparza

Raul Esparza

Raul Esparza

Raul Esparza

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

Debra Monk

David Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce

Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Julia Murney

Julia Murney

Julia Murney and the Kit Kat Girls

Terrence McNally

Raul Esparza and Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Raul Esparza, Chita Rivera, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce and Julia Murney

Kit Kat Girls, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba, Raul Esparza, Chita Rivera, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce and Julia Murney

John Kander, Karen Ziemba, Raul Esparza, Chita Rivera, and David Hyde Pierce

Kit Kat Girls, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba, John Kander, Raul Esparza, Chita Rivera, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce and Julia Murney

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Karen Ziemba, Raul Esparza, John Kander, Chita Rivera, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Chita Rivera, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Chita Rivera, John Kander and Debra Monk

Raul Esparza, John Kander and Chita Rivera

Raul Esparza, John Kander and Chita Rivera

John Kander and Chita Rivera

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Raul Esparza, John Kander and Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Karen Ziemba

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce

Karen Ziemba, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Debra Monk and David Hyde Pierce