Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Lin-Manuel Miranda and More at Westport Country Playhouse Gala

Over 400 guests attended Westport Country Playhouse's annual fundraising gala, "Sophisticated Lady: A Gala Evening Honoring Phylicia Rashad," on Monday evening, September 16. In addition to honoring the Tony Award-winning actress, arts advocate and philanthropist Howard J. Aibel of Weston was presented with the Westport Country Playhouse Leadership Award. Scroll down for photos from the big event!

Taking the stage in a performance ranging from music and dance to spoken word were Christine Andreas (Tony Award nominee for "Oklahoma," "My Fair Lady"; "On Your Toes"; "La Cage aux Folles"); Rebecca Covington ("Motown: The Musical"); Darius de Haas (Westport Country Playhouse's "Twelfth Night"; Obie Award winner for "Running Man"; "Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel," "Carousel," "Rent"); Lynda Gravátt (Westport Country Playhouse's "A Raisin in the Sun," Broadway's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Doubt," "45 Seconds from Broadway," "King Hedley II"); Lin-Manuel Miranda (Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist for "In the Heights," co-composer/co-lyricist for "Bring It On: The Musical"); Desmond Richardson (Tony Award nominee for "Fosse"; "Movin' Out," film version of "Chicago," former principal dancer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theatre); and Susan Kelechi Watson (Westport Country Playhouse's "A Raisin in the Sun," "Twelfth Night"; Broadway's "A Naked Girl on the Appian Way"). The program also included Mykal Kilgore, Jesse Nager, and Donald Webber from "Motown: The Musical"; and excerpts from Noah Racey's "PULSE."

Directing the 2013 gala production was Josh Rhodes (choreographer for the film version of "Company"; Broadway's "Cinderella," "First Date"; and "Sondheim: The Birthday Concert"). Music director was Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for "Company"; "Big Fish," "The Addams Family," "Sweeney Todd," "Next to Normal"); and conductor was Ryan Fielding Garrett. Producer was Kevin Duncan.

Proceeds benefit Westport Country Playhouse - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community. The Gala Committee co-chairs were Katia and John Friend and Judy and Scott Phares, all of Westport. Karen Parrella of Weston was auction chair. Among the Gala guests were celebrities Danielle Ferland and Chris Sarandon.

Photo Credit: Steve Walter Photo

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