In recognition of its 100th Anniversary, New Haven's historic Shubert Theatre celebrated with a Gala Benefit on Saturday, March 21. This exclusive evening included an elegant sit-down dinner on the legendary Shubert Stage, dancing, theatrical entertainment and a tribute to honored guest stars. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!
Show biz great's Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook and Rex Smith were the first recipients of the Maurice Bailey Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre, a new award inaugurated for the Shubert's 100th Anniversary. WNPR's Colin McEnroe was on hand as the Master of Ceremonies.
All three performers have graced the renowned Shubert stage a number of times and have added to the theatre's rich legacy. Betty Buckley appeared on the Shubert stage in the 1969 World Premiere of 1776 and returned to the Shubert on December 31, 1999 for the Millennial New Year's Eve Concert. Barbara Cook first appeared at the Shubert in 1951 in Flahooley and followed in Plain and Fancy (1954) and She Loves Me (1963) - all Shubert World Premieres. Ms. Cook also appeared in the Shubert's 75th Anniversary Performance and returned in 2001 in her one-woman show, Mostly Sondheim. Rex Smith has been seen on the Shubert stage in the touring productions of Anything Goes (1988), Grease (1994), Annie Get Your Gun (2000) and Kiss Me, Kate (2001).
Photo Credit: Erin Shaw & Alex Syphers

Rex Smith, with wife Tracy, daughter-in-law Lailina and son Brandon

Tracy Smith, Rex Smith, Brandon Smith and Lailina Smith

Andrew Wolf, Director, City of New Haven Department of Arts Culture & Tourism; Â Liz Fisher, Managing Director, Â International Festival of Arts & Ideas; Mayor Toni Harp, City of New Haven; and John Fisher, Executive Director, Shubert Theatre

Rex Smith and Brandon Smith

David Newton, guest and Sheri Kaplan, General Manager, Shubert Theatre

Kevin Burke, Chair, Shubert Board of Directors; John Fisher, Executive Director, Shubert Theatre; Betty Buckley; and Don Chaffee, Shubert Board Chair Emeritus

Gala Honoree Rex Smith; Edith Goodmaster, Private Secretary to Maurice Bailey, who operated the Shubert during the Golden Era of World Premieres including My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and the King and I just to name a few; and Tony Award winner and Gala Honoree Betty Buckley

Governor Dannel P. Malloy, State of Connecticut; John Fisher, Executive Director, Shubert Theatre; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, State of Connecticut; Senator Richard Blumenthal, State of Connecticut

The 100th Anniversary Gala on the legendary Shubert stage

Master of Ceremonies Colin McEnroe, of WNPR

The cast of A Broken Umbrella Theatre Company's SEEN CHANGE!

Michael Morand, Deputy Chief Communications Officer, Yale University; Rex Smith and Tracy Smith

Senator Richard Blumenthal, State of Connecticut; Betty Buckley and Cathy Brighenti

Betty Buckley accepts the Maurice Bailey Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre

Betty Buckley accepts the Maurice Bailey Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre

Rex Smith accepts the Maurice Bailey Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre

Rex Smith performs 'This Is The Moment' from JEKYLL & HYDE

Maurice Bailey Award recipients Rex Smith and Betty Buckley

Glenn MacInnes, EVP & CFO at Webster Bank & Webster Financial Corporation and Rex Smith

David Candido; Tony Rossley, Vice President, Bankwell; Leslie Aceto; Joe Aceto; Gala Honoree Rex Smith; Alison Gruseke; Christopher Gruseke, CEO, Bankwell; Laurine Candido, Mark Candido, Senior Vice President, Bankwell

Glenn MacInnes, EVP & CFO at Webster Bank & Webster Financial Corporation, Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., State of Connecticut; Peter Morgan, Architectural Designer, The S/L/A/M Collaborative; Â Â Alexandre Winter, Creative Director, GEM Advertising

The 100th Anniversary Gala on the legendary Shubert stage

The 100th Anniversary Gala on the legendary Shubert stage

The 100th Anniversary Gala on the legendary Shubert stage
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