Broadway's Best Set for NJPAC's 20th Annual Spotlight Gala Honoring Stephen Sondheim

In 1930 Manhattan, George and Ira Gershwin opened "Strike Up the Band" on Broadway, while ingénue Ethel Merman stepped into the spotlight in "Girl Crazy." Not far from the glow of the marquees, Etta and Herbert Sondheim became the co-producers of a son who would revolutionize American musical theater.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is the subject of an 85th birthday tribute at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), when the Women's Association of NJPAC presents its 20th annual Spotlight Gala 2015 on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m.

"An Evening of Song in Celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 85th Birthday" is a rousing kick-off to NJPAC's fall season as well as the principal benefit event for programs of the Department of Arts Education and overall operations of the Arts Center. The centerpiece of the black-tie festivities is a star-studded, 90-minute performance and awards ceremony in elegant Prudential Hall.

Sondheim, the recipient of multiple Tony and Grammy awards, an Oscar and a Pulitzer Prize, has written music, lyrics or both to such quintessential musicals as "West Side Story," "Sweeney Todd," "Follies," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Company," "Into the Woods," and "Sunday in the Park with George."

A cast of Tony Award winners and nominees, including James Monroe Iglehart ("Aladdin"),Judy Kuhn ("Fun Home"), Vanessa Williams ("Into the Woods," "Sondheim on Sondheim") andTony Yazbeck ("On the Town," "Gypsy"), perform under the baton of pianist and musical directorSeth Rudetsky, a Broadway raconteur and host of SiriusXM's "On Broadway" satellite radio show. A leading interpreter of the works of Sondheim, and a special appearance by Tony winnerLen Cariou ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street") makes a special guest appearance.

A sophisticated, modern décor is planned for the event, which begins with a cocktail and networking reception in a tent adjacent to the building. Guests enter Prudential Hall for the evening's performance, and are later seated for a gourmet dinner at tables placed throughout the Arts Center. A fabulous array of desserts is arranged in the Prudential Hall lobby for a sweet conclusion. Celebrity spinner DJ D-Nice will purvey the music before curtain and for post-dinner dancing.

The 2015 awards honorees are Nicolas Berggruen and Ron Beit, recipients of The Chambers Award for Service to the Community and to the Arts for their work to create Teachers Village in downtown Newark; Dr. Robert and Mrs. Patricia Curvin, recipients of The Ryan Award for Commitment to NJPAC and Leadership in the City of Newark; and United Airlines, recipient of The Vagelos Award for Corporate Commitment to the Arts.

This year's Gala Co-Chairs are Women's Association Trustees of the Board Tenagne Girma-Jeffries, founder and CEO of The Cultivation Group, and Robin Cruz McClearn, Esq., Principal of East Avenue Advisors, LLC. The Gala Dinner Co-Chairs are NJPAC Board MembersThasunda B. Duckett, CEO of Chase Auto Finance, and Patrick C. Dunican, Jr., Esq., Chairman and Managing Director of Gibbons P.C.

"The Spotlight Gala is critical to the Women's Association's annual fundraising efforts for the general operating support of one of the finest arts and cultural institutions in New Jersey, as well as support for its Arts Education program. At the same time, we're able to offer a six-hour window of extraordinary networking and connection-making to the top executives and leading philanthropists in the New Jersey metro area," said Girma-Jeffries.

Christine C. Gilfillan, President of The MCJ Amelior Foundation, concludes a four-year tenure as Board President of the Women's Association of NJPAC at this year's celebration.

"I've had the unique advantage of serving as president of the WA for four years," said Gilfillan. "The incomparable dedication and spirit of our board of 38 trustees and our membership of over 2,000 women is what motivates us to strategize the future of our fundraising efforts for the Gala and beyond. We're looking at our third decade of promoting, funding and advocating for NJPAC with great optimism and enthusiasm."

Ticket packages for the full Gala, including premium seating for 10 people in Prudential Hall, are available at the following levels: Vice-Chair Table ($50,000), Platinum Table ($35,000), Gold Table ($25,000), and Silver Table ($15,000). Single tickets for the complete evening range from $1,000 to $5,000.

For full evening tickets, call Gail P. Stone at (973)-353-7043 or email the Women's Association of NJPAC at womensassociation@njpac.org. For performance-only tickets ($50), please visitnjpac.org, call 1-(888)-466-5722, or visit the NJPAC Box Office at One Center Street in downtown Newark.