Broadway Belts for PFF! Official Playbill

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March 6, 2023

CEO

Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the thirteenth annual Broadway Belts for PFF! as we make our debut in the state-of-the-art Sony Hall! Thank you for joining us for this unique celebration as we roll out the red carpet in support of the work of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation!

For one glorious night each year, the Broadway community unites to support the more than 250,000 Americans living with pulmonary fibrosis. The extraordinary gift of talent from Broadway’s biggest stars has led Broadway Belts for PFF! to become the Foundation’s single-largest fundraiser. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in this spectacular production.

I would especially like to thank Julie Halston, the creator and host of this annual gala. In 2020, Julie was recognized with the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for her advocacy on behalf of the PFF. Every year, Julie and her stellar team — Carl Andress, Christopher McGovern, D. Michael Dvorchak and Sue Frost — entertain, inspire and energize us with their dazzling, award-winning productions. Our entire community applauds you!

Tonight, we honor Robert Creighton, a Broadway star who has danced and sung his way into the heart of the PF community. Robert lost his mother, Joan, to pulmonary fibrosis when she was just 60 years old. Robert is a dear friend to the Foundation and his unwavering support spans more than a decade. From warming our hearts through song to leading our live fundraising drive from the stage, Robert has stepped up in every way to help the PF community. We are proud to recognize Robert with the 2023 Ralph Howard Legacy Award.

With gratitude for your support for tonight’s event, enjoy the show!

Sincerely,

William T. Schmidt President and CEO

Thank you, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

For your unwavering commitment to finding a cure and giving hope and support to those afflicted.

A very special Thank You to Julie Halston, Broadway Belts and the Caring and talented Broadway Community for 13 years of bringing us joy and laughter.

We remember our dear friend, Ralph Howard.

Doug and Gay Lane

Charitable Foundation

DCL Management Services LLC

A letter from our President and

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Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

is proud to be a longtime supporter of Broadway Belts for PFF.

We salute J Julie H Halston, tonight’s Broadway Belts honoree and longtime Broadway Cares friend R Robert C Creighton and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for the compassionate support brought to those affected by pulmonary fibrosis.

We miss our dear friends

Ralph Howard, Michael Kuchwara and Scott Barnes.

broadwaycares.org

♥

a true gentleman of the theatre

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor

And hats off to Julie Halston and PFF for the wonderful work they do Daryl Roth

Personalized care and support

You’ll have the support of your CVS Specialty® CareTeam of pharmacists specially trained in IPF.

Rx pick up or delivery

Choose Rx delivery to your home or anywhere, nationwide. Or pick it up at any CVS Pharmacy®

— the choice is yours.*

All-around convenience

On CVSspecialty.com and the CVS Specialty app, you can manage your medications from your desktop or mobile device — anytime, anywhere.** Learn more at CVSspecialty.com/IPF

IPF (Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).

*Specialty delivery options are available where allowed by law. In-store pick up is currently not available in Oklahoma. Puerto Rico requires first-fill prescriptions to be transmitted directly to the dispensing specialty pharmacy. Products are dispensed by CVS Specialty and certain services are only accessed by calling CVS Specialty directly. Certain specialty medication may not qualify. Services are also available at Long’s Drugs locations.

**Patients can register online and use our mobile app once they’ve received their first medication shipment. If they haven’t received their first medication shipment, they can preregister at CVSspecialty.com/digital

Robert Creighton

We’re here to help make living with IPF a little easier

Legendary Center Fielder Bernie Williams Lost His Father to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary ﬁbrosis is one of the most common forms of interstitial lung disease, an umbrella term that covers a group of more than 200 rare and potentially serious diseases that can cause scarring of the lungs, which may make it difﬁcult to breathe.

Learn more at TuneInToLungHealth.com

Congratulations to Ralph Howard Legacy Award honoree Robert Creighton and the entire PFF team for your wonderful work!

And brava to our dear friend, Julie Halston, on the (lucky) 13th Broadway Belts — nearly $3 million raised and so much progress in the fight against PF! Your dedication to the cause is inspiring!

With love and admiration, Larry Kanter and Shelly London

The PFF Community Registry is important, because pulmonary fibrosis is a new disease compared to other lung diseases that get more attention. I hope researchers and companies will use the Registry to make life easier for all of us.

Valeria Hatcher, patient with PF

I’m all about trying to find a cure, so I signed up for the PFF Community Registry as a lung transplant recipient. I’m lucky to get a transplant, but so many of us still need a cure.

Melissa Wheeler, lung transplant recipient and former Ironman athlete

Researchers are working hard to understand the genetic and lifestyle effects of PF and ILD. You can help move us toward a cure by sharing information about your health and healthcare. With your help, the PFF Community Registry is fostering a community of patients, caregivers, and family members all with the same goal: Finding answers to help diagnose, treat, and potentially cure PF and ILD.

Here’s how you can help.

• Visit pffregistry.org to join and later access the PFF Community Registry online portal.

• Complete a survey every six months at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home.

• Share only the information you’re comfortable sharing. How much information you provide is up to you.

• Relax knowing the PFF Community Registry database is highly secure, using the same technology trusted by doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinical trials worldwide.

• Complete a survey every six months at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. Sign up now at pffregistry.org!

In Tribute to Michael Kuchwara

MICHAEL KUCHWARA

Broadway Belts for PFF! began 13 years ago as a tribute to beloved Associated Press (AP) Theater Critic, Michael Kuchwara, after he succumbed to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in May 2010. Kuchwara was known for his kindness, generosity, and easy-going personality. He had a devout love of theater, especially musical theater, from a very young age.

During his 40 year career with the AP and with his appointment to the national theater desk in 1984, he reviewed nearly every production that came through New York as well as many regional arenas, and his work appeared in thousands of papers and on websites around the world.

Artwork provided by Justin “Squigs” Robertson

Ralph Howard Legacy Award

2023 Ralph Howard Legacy Award Recipient

ROBERT CREIGHTON

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is proud to present the 2023 Ralph Howard Legacy Award to Robert Creighton — actor, writer, singer, dancer, father, son and pulmonary fibrosis advocate.

Robert Creighton lost his beloved mother, Joan, to pulmonary fibrosis in 1994. She was 60 years old. Since then, he has devoted himself to helping others living with this devastating disease. Robert has not only performed in Broadway Belts for PFF!, he has also played a tremendous role in making the event an unforgettable experience and a dazzling success.

RALPH HOWARD

Ralph Howard was a renowned radio personality and newscaster who is best known for his coverage of the tragedies of 9/11 and his work on The Howard Stern Show for Sirius XM. He adored his career in broadcasting and worked to educate, mentor, and inspire younger colleagues in the field. Howard was also very active in his community, serving on his co-op board, block association and community board, and volunteering at museums, The Theatre Development Fund, and Lincoln Center. Ralph and his wife, Julie Halston, were founding partners of Broadway Belts for PFF! and became leading advocates for the PF community after his own battle with IPF. He received a life-extending lung transplant in 2010 and passed due to complications from the disease in August 2018.

RALPH HOWARD LEGACY AWARD

Ralph’s endless curiosity about the world and his direct and generous engagement with it inspired us to create The Ralph Howard Legacy Award. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the pulmonary fibrosis community and who embody Ralph’s mission of fostering and supporting talent through mentorship, opportunity, and education. The inaugural award was presented at Broadway Belts for PFF! in 2019 and will continue to be an integral part of the event as we honor Ralph and the incredible achievements and generosity of the recipients each year.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Robert graciously joined Julie Halston and the PFF in creating dynamic, virtual experiences for Broadway Belts for PFF! and the PFF Walk series. As a result of his talent and tireless efforts, the PF community stayed connected and the Foundation’s fundraising activities remained robust.

The youngest of six children, Robert dreamed of being a goaltender for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and singing and dancing on Broadway. His Broadway credits include The Lion King, Disney’s Frozen, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, Chicago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Jackie Mason’s Laughing Room Only. Robert co-authored and starred in the award-winning Off-Broadway musical Cagney. Robert was a recurring guest star on the CBS series The Good Fight and has guest-starred on several network television shows. His album Ain’t We Got Fun! was released in 2012, and the subsequent solo show at Feinstein’s 54 Below garnered him the Bistro Award for Outstanding Entertainer.

With deep gratitude and a standing ovation, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is pleased to recognize Robert Creighton for his significant contributions to people living with pulmonary fibrosis.

Congratulations to my dear friend and colleague, Robert Creighton upon receiving the Ralph Howard Legacy Award.

Your unwavering support and joyful participation in all aspects of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many living with the disease.

On a very personal level Bobby, your positive energy coupled with your spectacular talent inspires me to keep moving forward even when it is difficult.

You are the bridge that helped connect the Broadway Community with the Foundation and for that I am forever grateful.

Ralph, your Mom and Dad are cheering you on tonight as we all thank you for everything you do to make the lives of others better.

Bob!

Your Dad is proud of you as I am. This is a great honour for you in memory of your Mother. Carry your pewter heart with you today as you accept this award

With love, Karen

Karen

B,

Your drive, passion, dedication and impact are unprecedented, both on stage and off. I am forever grateful to you for leading by example and powerfully influencing our children each and every day. It is a lifelong gift to them and has been a gift to PFF for the past 13 years. Our entire family has learned so much about this disease through your advocacy, support, and friendship with dear Julie. The spirits above had a hand in connecting you two, there is no doubt. Your mother thanks you, your father thanks you, your sister thanks you, and we thank you.

With all of my love & light, Whitney

Deb

&

Top of the world, Ma!

So proud of you and grateful for your work with PFF! It’s beautiful to be honoured for being a great human being!

Fred Bob, Congratulations! What a big and well deserved honour for you! I love how much you give back and make everyone and everything in your life feel special. So proud to call you my brother.

Love, Stephanie

Love you! Deb & Fred

Stephanie

Whitney

PJJack&

Bob, Mom was always known for her kind heart and desire to serve others in all areas of her life. Not only would she be so proud of the fact that you continue to be part of a cause that will improve the lives of people suffering from similar diseases, she would also be thrilled that you follow in her and Dad’s footsteps - role modeling for your children the importance of giving back to others. We are so very proud of you! Life is indeed GOOD!

PJ & Jack Ruthie & Paul

Congratulations Bobber, You show up every day sending out positivity and living life to the fullest. We are grateful for your work with PFF in honour of Mom. You are leading by example and making a difference in building awareness and raising funds to change lives. We are all so proud.

Love you!

Ruthie & Paul

Bob,

You always go all in with everything you do - we love that about you and admire you for that. You’ve made it a priority to give back to others and for something so close to your heart. Congratulations, what a well-deserved honour! We are so proud of you and the example you set.

Love, Sarah & Steve

Sarah

&

Steve

You share your unique light with the world, you are an inspiration to many, and you continue to make the world a better place. We are so proud to be your family. Congratulations on this well deserved honour.

Love, Bill & Beth

Bill &

Beth

Congratulations from all of us, Bob!

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A heartfelt thank you to Jim Caruso

Dot Coyle

Charles Schoonmaker

Justin “Squigs” Roberston

Greg Santos

Todd Tullis

Tom Viola

Ed Windels

The presenters wish to express our gratitude to the the following organizations:

ACTOR’S EQUITY ASSOCIATION

AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS

AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS

SAG-AFTRA

through Theater Authority, Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the Artists to appear on this program.

A special thanks to tonight’s performers who have so generously donated their time and talents.

B r o a d w a y B e l t s f o r P F F ! U N I T E D T H E R A P E U T I C S I S P R O U D T O B E A S P O N S O R O F

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement, Bill!

Our warmest thanks for your leadership and dedication to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and its mission to drive research and better outcomes for individuals living with pulmonary fibrosis. You have accomplished a great deal for the pulmonary fibrosis community as President and CEO of the Foundation.

We, your team, are forever grateful for the incredible leader you have been day in and day out, demonstrating kindness, focus and consistency (and a pretty good sense of humor!) while motivating us every step of the way.

We wish you a wonderful retirement and we look forward to working with you in your new role as a special friend of the PFF!

Staff and Board of Directors

Broadway Belts for PFF! was made possible, in part, through an independent grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

WILL THE REAL JIMMY CAGNEY

PLEASE STEP FORWARD?

Robert Creighton — you deserve huge applause for your amazing portrayal of Jimmy Cagney. You are heading straight to “The Top of The World!”

Congratulations on your exciting career and on this wonderful honor. Much love from Riki Kane Larimer and the entire Cagney team

PFF PFF Walk - NYC PFF Summit Broadway Belts for PFF!

over the age of 70 are diagnosed with IPF

250,000+ people are living with IPF in the U.S.

50,000 NEW CASES of IPF are diagnosed annually

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

There are more than 200 types of interstitial lung diseases (ILD), which are characterized by varied amounts of inflammation, scarring, or both, that damage the ability of the lung to absorb oxygen from the air. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), means scarring of the lung, and can be seen in many types of ILD. More than 250,000 Americans are living with PF and ILD. Difficult to diagnose, PF and ILD can be debilitating and, in some cases, incurable. Causes of PF and ILD include the use of certain medications, radiation to the chest, autoimmune diseases, environmental, and occupational exposures. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has no known cause, is one of the most common forms of PF. The prevalence of PF and ILD is on the rise with more than 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

With no known cure, certain forms of PF, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, (IPF), may take the lives of patients within three to five years from diagnosis. The good news for people living with PF is that there are treatments designed to specifically manage the symptoms of the disease and researchers are studying new ways to halt its progression.

For trusted information about pulmonary fibrosis, the PFF Help Center is your hub for information. Call us to learn about: