My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon

Theater luminaries bring dramatic looks and civic spirit to the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon.

By:
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon

New York City's beloved Central Park set the stage for high society and drama at the Central Park Conservancy’s 43rd annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, (also known has the "hat lunch") where theater industry leaders lent their star power and civic spirit to one of the city's most elegant spring fundraisers. Held under a vast tent in the Conservatory Garden, the event united philanthropists, artists, and preservationists to support the park’s upkeep and legacy. The event took place on the upper east side on Manhattan on May 8th!

Tony Award winners Bonnie Comley and Jenna Segal served as co-chairs for the event, adding a touch of Broadway brilliance. They brought both vision and theatrical flair to the afternoon. Comley and Segal—known for their dedication to the performing arts and city institutions—helped shape a celebration that was as stylish as it was impactful.

Scarlett Johansson, also a Tony winner, made a striking appearance, underscoring her commitment to the city’s cultural heartbeat. Prominent figures from the Broadway industry and The Drama League—including board members Trish Chambers, Jennifer Johnson-Blalock, Donna Daniels, CeCe Black, Karin McKinnell Leidel, Pamela Barbey, Oksana Barbey, and Elizabeth Stribling—added further theatrical gravitas to the guest list. The afternoon also welcomed BroadwayHD founder Stewart F. LaneDiana Prince, and Melissa Farber, who represent the strong intersection of theater, media, and philanthropy. Martha Stewart, Christine Schwarzman and Former Mayor Bloomberg were also in attendance!

With Central Park in full bloom and a guest list that sparkled with stage stars and cultural champions, the luncheon was more than a fundraiser—it was a statement. As the arts community continues to embrace its role in shaping and sustaining New York’s public spaces, the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon proved that the theater world knows how to make an entrance—and a difference.

Photo Credit: Rob Rich

Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Bonnie Comley, Jennifer Johnson-Blalock & Trish Chambers
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Isabel Roach Donna Daniels & Bridget McGrath
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Karin McKinnell Leidel
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Melissa Farber
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Pamela Barbey & Oksana Barbey (Barbey Girl Productions) 
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Patty Harris, Betsey Smith & Michael Bloomberg
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Rosann Guttman, Elizabeth Stribbling & CeCe Black
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Whitney Mogavero, Margo Nederlander & Chrissie Crampton
Theater Luminaries Bring Dramatic Looks to the Olmsted Awards Luncheon Image
Ranika Cohen, Elizabeth "Betsey" Smith, Bonnie Comley, , Tracey Huff, Jenny Price, Jenna Segal & Julia Weld
More on Barrow Group Theatre
Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Lead Performer in a Musical - Top 3
1. LJ Benet - The Lost Boys, A New Musical
20.9% of votes
2. Joshua Henry - Ragtime
15.7% of votes
3. Sam Tutty - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
9.7% of votes



Don't Miss a Industry News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $68
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $66
Hot Show
Tickets From $58