Friend of the Arts Award Celebration Dinner
Thursday, November 2, 2023
A Letter From The Presidents Dear Friends, On behalf of everyone at Town Hall, it is our pleasure to welcome you to our 2023 Friends of the Arts Award dinner. Thank you for being part of the Town Hall family. It is your continued support that inspires us, reinforces our belief in the work, and keeps us doing our best. We know you share the pride we have in the range of programs we present, the work we are doing in the New York City public schools, and the myriad ways we are reaching out to the community. Your support throughout the year and this evening makes much of it possible. It is with great excitement that we welcome three outstanding Friends of the Arts awardees, André De Shields, Chandrika Tandon, and Russ Titelman. Each has used their talents and their time to push our culture forward, truly making this world a better place. We are delighted that they will join our past awardees and their portraits will forever grace the halls of our cherished institution. Congratulations to Russ, Chandrika, and André and to all our previous awardees who are joining us tonight to welcome them as Friends of the Arts. We speak for everyone at Town Hall—our trustees, advisory council members, staff, and performers—when we say, “Thank you for joining us tonight, and thank you for your support throughout the years.” Tom Wirtshafter Marvin Leffler President President Emeritus
The Trustees and The Friends of Town Hall extend this invitation for you to join us at
THE HARMONIE CLUB THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Cocktail Reception
6:00 PM Dinner and Award Presentation honoring this year’s recipients of The Town Hall Friend of the Arts Award
7:00 PM
ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS Broadway Deity, legendary Activist and Iconic Philanthropist
CHANDRIKA TANDON Globally recognized Business Leader, Grammy-nominated artist, and Humanitarian
RUSS TITELMAN Record producer, songwriter and winner of three Grammy Awards THE HARMONIE CLUB 4 East 60th Street, New York City
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André De Shields In a career spanning fifty-five years, André De Shields, at age 77, has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, activist, educator, and philanthropist. As actor, Mr. De Shields’ mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty, defining intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As activist, he endeavors to restore majesty, elegance, and literacy to the Black Thespian’s toolbox; to advocate for long term survivors of HIV and AIDS, and to champion the legacy of the Wellderly (elderly individuals who continue to kick butt). As educator, he has—since 1989— served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at a variety of colleges and universities: Southern Methodist University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, SUNY Buffalo State University, Florida Atlantic University, CUNY Hunter College, and NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, among others. As philanthropist, he founded the André De Shields Fund at his Alma Mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to benefit those students who experience cultural marginalization. There also has been established an André De Shields Scholarship at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Mr. De Shields is the triple-crown winner of the 2019 awards season, having won the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Grammy, and Tony Awards as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his unanimously critically acclaimed performance as Hermes, Messenger to the Gods, in Hadestown. Prior to his Tony Award, Mr. De Shields was best known for his showstopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions: The Wiz (title role), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! (Tony nom.), and The Full Monty (Tony nom.). Among his many other accolades are three honorary Doctor of Fine 2 | @TownHallNYC
Arts degrees, the OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence, three JEFF Awards, nine AUDELCO Awards, and the 2023 89th Annual Drama League Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater. The ninth of eleven children reared in Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. De Shields is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and SDC. www.andredeshields.com. Ubuntu!
Chandrika Tandon Chandrika Tandon is a globally recognized business leader, Grammynominated artist, and humanitarian. Her stated mission is to elevate human happiness through music and education. As The New York Times wrote, Chandrika traveled an “unlikely path to become an internationally recognized Indian singer.” Under her non-profit music label, Soul Chants Music, she has released five albums, including the Grammy-nominated Soul Call. Chandrika’s newest album, Ammu’s Treasures, is both a simple gift to her grandchildren and an expression of intergenerational love. It is a hug for the world, using songs in multiple languages, Vedic Sanskrit chants, and visual animations to help all ages, especially young children, feel the love, light, laughter that is Chandrika’s mantra. She has conducted numerous benefit concerts on world stages to sold-out audiences, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Chandrika’s other great passion focuses on higher education, in particular STEM. She chairs the Board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, named after her family’s generous gift. Chandrika is a Trustee of New York University, a Trustee of NYU Langone Health, a Board member of the NYU Stern School of Business, and Chair of NYU’s Global Council. She is a Harold Acton Fellow at NYU and a Sterling Fellow at Yale, where she serves on the President’s Council on International Activities. In @TownHallNYC | 3
addition, her foundation has established faculty Chairs at Yale and Harvard Universities. She was one of the earliest women partners of McKinsey & Company and is the founder of Tandon Capital Associates, which focuses on measurable transformation of institutions to excellence. Chandrika has worked with over 40 companies globally, on projects involving major financial and operational restructuring, global and domestic strategy, organizational redesign, core process/performance improvement, and broad-based culture change. She is the Director of the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation, a non-profit private foundation that supports education, the arts, and wellness. Chandrika has received several awards including the Gallatin Medal, NYU’s highest honor, the Walter Nichols Medal for leadership and integrity, and the Polytechnic Medal recognizing her contribution to science and engineering. She was inducted into the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AMACAD), and has received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. She has been profiled in print, on radio, and television, including in CNBC’s The Brave Ones series.
Russ Titelman Russ Titelman is a record producer and songwriter and a winner of three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song “Higher Love,” and his second and third for Eric Clapton’s “Tears In Heaven” (Record of the Year) and the Unplugged album, respectively. Titelman also produced Clapton’s 24 Nights live album of 1990, the Rush movie soundtrack and the all-blues album From the Cradle (also a Grammy-winning album), released in 1994. They were reunited in 2021 for the Lockdown Sessions Lady In The Balcony album. Titelman grew up in the hot musical environment that was the ‘50s Los Angeles, and quickly made 4 | @TownHallNYC
contacts which would aid him throughout his long career in the entertainment business. The most important of these was Phil Spector. After making his debut as a guitarist and backing vocalist on the Paris Sisters’ “Be My Boy” and “I Love How You Love Me” singles in 1961, Titelman became a member of Phil’s second group after The Teddy Bears, The Spectors Three. By the following year he had graduated from high school and started studying drama at Los Angeles City College. In 1963, on the strength of a demo he wrote and produced, he was signed as a writer to Don Kirshner’s publishing company. He moved to New York in late 1963 and began writing and producing with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and Carole King and Gerry Goffin. His songs have been recorded by The Monkees, The Hollies, Linda Ronstadt, The Chiffons, Lesley Gore, Skeeter Davis, Dusty Springfield, The Cookies, and Ry Cooder to name a few. In late 1964 he joined the Shindig television house band, at which time he also did session work for The Righteous Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, Jackie DeShannon, Dave Grusin, and Phil Ochs. Moving into film work, he collaborated with Jack Nitzsche’s score, writing songs for the film Village of The Giants. He also worked as a songwriter and musician on Jack Nitzsche’s score for the Mick Jagger movie, Performance. Jack and Russ wrote the title song, “Gone Dead Train,” performed by Randy Newman. The core band on that score was Titelman, Ry Cooder, Randy Newman (also conductor), Gene Parsons, Jerry Scheff, and Bobby West. The band played the track for the Jagger song “Memo from Turner.” That soundtrack started Titelman’s friendship with Mr. Newman and his 27-year association with Warner Brothers Records. In 1970 he brought Lowell George and Little Feat to Lenny Waronker, at WB Records and produced their debut album. It was also the beginning of his 12 year, 7 album collaboration with Randy Newman. Throughout his career he has worked with The Monkees, Dion DiMucci, George Harrison, Brian Wilson, Bee Gees, Christine McVie, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Miriam Makeba, Milton Nascimento, Chaka Khan, Womack and Womack, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Gordon Lightfoot, Steve Winwood, George Benson, Graham Central Station, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Cyndi Lauper, and Gregg Allman. From 1989 to 1994 he worked extensively with Eric Clapton, and many cite his contributions to Journeyman, 24 Nights, Unplugged and From the Cradle as crucial to Clapton’s renaissance. Since 1997, after having worked for Warner Bros. Records for 27 years, Titelman has been an independent producer. @TownHallNYC | 5
Established in 1981, The Town Hall Friend of the Arts Award is presented annually to individuals in recognition and appreciation of their abiding interest in the development, enrichment and support of the arts.
2019
2007
1995
Evan R. Chesler Mona Golabek
Lillian Vernon Sir George Shearing
Betty Comden & Adolph Green Senator Roy M. Goodman
2018
2006
1994
Laurie Anderson Charles Hull Robert Hurwitz
Barbara Cook Judy & Michael Steinhardt
Anne Jackson & Eli Wallach Vincent Sardi, Jr.
2005
1993
Laurie M. Tisch Peter Yarrow
Tony Bennett Bill Green
2004
1992
Sheldon Harnick Morris W. Offit
James R. Cherry Dizzy Gillespie
2003
1991
Paul LeClerc Wendy Wasserstein
Victor Borge
2017 Roberta Flack Daryl Roth
2016 A Prairie Home Companion Jennifer J. Raab
2015 Paul Libin K.T. Sullivan
2014 George Wein Bank of America
2013 Judy Collins Robert E. Wankel
2012 Dr. Charlotte K. Frank Marvin Leffler
2011 Dr. Joyce Brown Judith Jamison
2010 Barbara & Scott Siegel Elaine Stritch Meryl H. Tisch
2002 Bobby Short Mortimer B. Zuckerman
2001 Theodore Bikel Michael Sovern
2000 Jacques d’Amboise Muriel Siebert
1999 L. Jay Oliva George Weissman
Joseph Papp
1988 Beverly Sills
1987 Martin E. Segal
1986 Helen Hayes
1985 Celeste Holm
1984 Dina Merrill
1997
Tovah Feldshuh T. Phillip J. Smith
1996
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1989
Vartan Gregorian Andrea Marcovicci
2009
Sharon Dunn Fyvush Finkel Lawrence C. Zucker
Marilyn Horne
1998
Jane Alexander John W. Kluge
2008
1990
Agnes Gund Lewis Rudin Julie Wilson
1983 Kitty Carlisle Hart
1982 Gerald Schoenfeld
1981 John Brademas
THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS
LITERARY SERIES Tuesday, October 10
A Not That Fancy Conversation and Performance with Reba McEntire In partnership with Barnes & Noble All bow down to The Queen of Country as she steps onstage for her first concert and talk at Town Hall in support of her new book, Not That Fancy.
Tuesday, October 24
Let Us Descend: A Conversation with Jesmyn Ward & Ta-Nehisi Coates With special guests S. Epatha Merkerson, Naomi Pierre, and performances by The Harlem Chamber Players In partnership with The Center for Fiction Two of America’s most critically beloved authors, Jesmyn Ward and Ta-Nehisi Coates, meet on the historic stage of The Town Hall to celebrate the release of Ward’s new novel, Let Us Descend. Friday, October 27
Race 2 Dinner with Regina Jackson and Saira Rao A Screening of Deconstructing Karen and Special “Dinner” featuring the film’s director Patty Ivins, Frederick Joseph, Jo Lorenz, Morgan James, Angela Hunte, and Camille Lynn Wright. In partnership with Strand Books Dare to explore issues of racism, classism, colorism, and sexism at this talk and film screening with the New York Times bestselling authors of White Women. Tuesday, October 31
Being Henry: An Evening with Henry Winkler In partnership with Strand Books Television’s Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development, Barry) celebrates the release of his new memoir and fifty years of stardom. @TownHallNYC | 7
GLOBAL POP SERIES Tuesday, November 14
An Exclusive Evening with José González “A Tiger in Paradise” Film + Talk + Live Performance In Partnership with Murmrr Get up close and personal with singer-songwriter José González at this one-of-a-kind documentary screening, open conversation and full-length concert.
Friday, November 17
Alan Carr
In Partnership with Off the Kerb Productions Bafta winning star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, and Interior Design Master - Alan Carr makes his American debut at the world renowned Town Hall in New York City.
Thursday, November 30
Darlene Love: Love for the Holidays Ring in the holiday season for an unforgettable evening with the legendary Queen of Christmas and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love!
Friday, December 22
Rufus and Martha Wainwright Present A Not So Silent Night Featuring Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Sean Ono Lennon, Loudon Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, and more! In Partnership with Murmrr Rufus, Martha, and the rest of the Wainwright family return to Town Hall with special guests Emmylou Harris, Debbie Harry, and Sean Ono Lennon!
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Saturday, May 4
Django a Gogo: Stephane Wrembel’s Celebration of the Music of Django Reinhardt Don’t miss guitarist Stephane Wrembel’s celebration of the legendarily influential “gypsy jazz” musician and composer Django Reinhardt!
LIVE SCORE SERIES Thursday, November 16
COWBOY BEBOP 25th Anniversary Concert The Music feat. Sinfonietta Presented by The Town Hall X Crunchyroll
Wednesday, November 29
Philip Glass Ensemble: Koyaanisqatsi The Philip Glass Ensemble provides a live scored performance to the thrillingly enigmatic soundtrack for the arthouse classic film Koyaanisqatsi.
Thursday, February 29
Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons In Partnership with SOHO Live The soundtrack to Eric Barone’s iconic, multimillion-selling indie video game Stardew Valley gets a symphonic makeover for this spectacular concert!
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE TOWN HALL Wed-Thu, Nov 1-2
Laufey: The Bewitched Tour Presented by Live Nation
Sat, Nov 4
A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Presented by Mammoth Presents
New York Comedy Festival Presents Fri, Nov 3
Daniel Sloss - CAN’T Sun, Nov 5
The Robyn Schall Experience
Tue-Wed, Nov 21-22
David Morales: Bolivar Invictus / Amor En Libertad
Presented by FlamencoRevolution.com & David Morales Flamenco+
Fri, Dec 1
Tony Hinchcliffe: Fully Groan Tour Presented by Outback Presents
Sat, Dec 2
The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute Benefit Concert for Theatre Within Presented by Theatre Within & Music Without Borders
Tue, Dec 5
Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmas Presented by Live Nation
Wed, Nov 8 | 7PM
Margaret Cho: Live and Livid! Wed, Nov 8 | 9:45PM
The Adam Friedland Show starring Adam Friedland and Nick Mullen Thu, Nov 9 | 7PM
Pod Meets World: The Kids Wanna Jump! Tour Thu, Nov 9 | 9:45PM
Wed, Dec 6
Chicks in the Office Holiday Spectacular II
Presented by Barstool Sports Presents
Thu-Fri, Dec 7-8
Kiki & Herb: O Come Let Us Adore Them
Presented by The Bowery Presents
Sat, Dec 9
A Prairie Home Companion 50th Anniversary Presented by Mammoth Presents
Nate Jackson: I’ll Do It Myself
Sun, Dec 10
Fri, Nov 10 | 7PM
Presented by Live Nation
Michelle Wolf: It’s Great To Be Here Fri, Nov 10 | 9:45PM
Dave Attell and Friends Sat, Nov 11 | 2 SHOWS!
Atsuko Okatsuka: Full Grown Tour
Single AF: An Evening for Bad Bitches with Ariana Madix Thu, Dec 14
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Alaska ..A Christmas Show Presented by Live Nation
Fri, Dec 15
A Holiday Show with That Motown Band
Presented by Preemo Productions Presents
Sun, Nov 12
Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast 2023 Live Tour Special guest Rachel Maddow Presented by Live Nation
Sat, Nov 18
Whoreible Decisions - 2023 Tour Presented by Live Nation
Sun, Nov 19
New York Arab American Comedy Festival on Broadway Presented by Maysoon Zayid & Dean Obeidallah
Mon, Nov 20
Paris! The Show
Presented by Gil Marsalla & Directo Prod.
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Sat, Dec 16
Gals on the Go Live
Presented by Live Nation
Wed, Dec 20
Postmodern Jukebox: Life in the Past Lane Presented by Live Nation
Thu, Dec 21
Modi: Live at Town Hall Presented by AEG
Sat, Dec 23
Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas? Album Tour Presented by Live Nation
SUSTAINING MEMBERS Producer’s Circle ($5,000+) Shauna & Michael Denkensohn Marvin Leffler Ellen Miller-Wachtel & Alan Wachtel, M.D. Chip Murphy Torbjoern G. Nygaard, MD & Lisa A. Mellman, MD Brian & Patricia Shea Beth & Tim Stambaugh Paige Price & Nevin Steinberg Carol Marks & Tom Wirtshafter Jennifer Young, Christopher Young Susan Zohn Partner ($2,500) Howard F. Berman Mary Dettling-Wright Agnes Gund Dr. Elizabeth Iannizzi John A. Jenkins & Susan Raleigh Jenkins, Esq. Sponsor ($2,000) Judith Entes Gita Gupte Daniel Lewis Rita Robbins Lawrence Unger Seat Holder ($1,000) Mr. & Mrs. Louis Aidala Nancy & Evan Berman Ralph Buultjens Robert E. Evanson Hazel & Russel Fershleiser Lisa Glassner & Matt Frank Green Charitable Foundation Fran & Richard Habib Patty Laxton & Fred Kaufman Kathleen Rosenberg Rhoda Rothkopf Susan & Victor Shedlin Member ($500) Anonymous (3) Charlie & Bonnie Alter Wanyong & Chris Austin Jane Eisner Bram Karen & Alexander Callender Matthew Costabile Daniel Donnelly Hon. Betty W. Ellerin Charlie Feldman Bob & Rose Foulds Michael & Anne Frank-Shapiro Miriam & Paul Gold Barbara J. Gottlieb
Jeff Gutterman Priscilla H. Hoffman Bruce Horten & Aaron Lieber Adam Idleberg Eric & Sandy Krasnoff Jacqueline & Bruce Leffler Karin & Marc Leffler Judith C. Lovell Julie & David F. McCarthy Charles John O’Byrne Shelly Packer Zita Rosenthal Dean Victoria Rosner Kenny Schaeffer Roberta Schechter Roberta Schleicher Jean & Timothy Schmit Leslie Gillian Senn Chester A. Whitlock Matt Howard & Melissa Wohlgemuth Friend ($250) Anonymous (4) Stephen Berman & Amy Foster Todd M Cooper Lisa Dixon Daniel Elias Susan Finkel Steven Frankel, Debbie Rudoy David B Killalea Lisa Kothari Wojciech Kropiewnicki Elaine Crowley & John Kuehn Ellen & Martin Levine Mark Lewin Anthony Mason A. Makea McDonald Nancy & Andy Norton David C. Olstein David Page Mike & Jo Proops Gail Propp Nicole Rechter James Robbins Mark K J Robinson A. Jeffrey Rosen Chris Rousseau Carolyn M Salafia, MD Corrente Schankler Lauren Simpson Robert Strassler Kenneth Topolsky P. Wallach William Waters Greg Williamson
Supporters ($100) Anonymous (69) Wesley Abrameit Barry Abramson Michelle Achkar Gail Alexander Rob Anderson Eleanor Androulidakis Charles David Ard Kennet Aymong David A. Bader Andrew Baldwin Michelle Bandoain Elan Barish Natalie & Tim Barry Peter Barsocchini Jonathan & Barbara Baskin Michael Becker Timothy Beebee David Berger Carol Bernheim James Bilsborrow EM Blitzer Bruce Bosso Andrew Boyes Raymond Bragar Michael Brams John Brett Catherine Brienza Ralph Brown Alizah Brozgold Jesse Brundige Barbara Burger John Burke Elizabeth Wendell Butler Ann & Eric Byne Cynthia Byram Colleen Cahill James Callahan Dr. George Callan Lloyd & Darcy Campbell Rose Case Gabriel Chenard-Poirier Elaine Chin Wendy Cohen Elisa Cohen Joel Confino Ralph Contini, William Priest III Gregory Courtright The Covell-Ranheim Family Andrea Cummis Miranda Danusugondo Jennifer Dauk Mary J Davis/MBL Productions Leslie De Jesus Francisco de Leon Jenni Dickson Robert Discolo Dr. Peter & Debra Distler @TownHallNYC | 11
SUPPORTERS Dr. Bob Drake Elizabeth Durante Robert Dwyer, Jr. Jay Edelman David Eiaenhardt Thomas Ellenson Lex & Helen Haris Cristina Enriquez-Bocobo Patrick Fay Richard & Andrea Feinsilver Danielle Ferry Marc Fink Frank Fontana Katie Ford Alyson Forde Dr. Jonathan Foster Robin Foster James Joseph Fox, Esq Lynda Fox Frazer Abby Gilmore & Arthur Freierman Susan & Michael Fromm Christopher Gahl Alexander Galanos, Orley Granot Grant Gardner Judith Mary Gee Valerie A Gerardi Michael Ghitelman Dave Giffen Barrie Gillies Dr. Tamara Gillis Alyse Ginsberg Matthew Ginsburg Florence Giordano Tamara Glenny Robert Goldberg Stacy Goldfarb Anne Green Kathleen & James Grendell Michael Grimaldi Louise Guarneri Edmond C. Haase III The Haggerty Family Elise Hanes Peter Harrar Ali Hart Brad Hebel Caroline Heller Susan Hodges Persephone Holman Thomas Holt George Hopkins Robin Howald Cheryl Humes Bob & Kathy Iuliucci Jennifer Jackson Karen Jacobs & Mark Bradley Jared Jaichon Michael Jantzen Spike Jenkins 12 | @TownHallNYC
Mark Joy Laura Kaminsky, Rebecca Allan Rebecca & James Katz Kristina Kinet Steffie Kirschner William Klayer Riley Knippling Little Johnny Koerber Jeff D Kopelman MD Elizabeth S. Lasdon Timothy & Mary Lee Jamie Levey Steve Levitan Neal Levy Smadar Levy Stephanie Liang Susan Lish Mr. & Mrs. Patrick K. Long Thomas Lookstein Deborah Lyons Cornelia Macfadyen Sher Madigan, Richard Madigan Steven & Patricia Madsen Anne Maltz Michelle & Dan Mannix Atea Martin & Allen Honigman Michael Matishek Kyle Mauch, Faby Balcazar Suarez Dr. Lesly A. McAnelly Dr. Eileen McInerney Mary Mears Catherine Menichino Sachyn Mital Keon Moghaddam Lisa & Mark Montifiore Miranda Morrison Denis Morton Richard J Moylan Mathew Neiger Rick Nelson James B Nish Jeffrey Norwalk Susan Nussbaum Allison & Edward O’Keefe Stewart Otley Edwin Pelto Donna Pepe Rick Picardo Julie Pitman Andrew & Kelly Pontano Scott Porter The Powers-Brisiel Family Adrienne Prasso Michael Price Philip Pucciarelli The Rackow Family Roslyn Richter Veronica Richter David Rimmer
Lee Ringelheim Moldowan-Risch Family Shelley Risk Phoebe Robinson William Rollo Vicki Roosevelt & Rob Jorgensen Joanne & David Rosen Amy Roth David Roth, Annette Bond Roth Ronald Rotter Reva Rubin Brian Rubin-Sowers Jenna Ryall Alan Sacks David Sacks Shira & Marc Safran Maureen Salter Gina Sarno Maria & Rob Schafer Adam Schanke Keith Schneider Peter Schneider Cindy & Rich Schulz Marilyn & Michael Schwartz Charles Schwartz Anastasia Mann, Eldar Shafir Kathleen Shelton Stefan Sherman James Siokos Andrew & Sabina Soloway Kevin J Spencer Jason Spiro A Stein Michael Steiner Adam Stepansky Toby Wiser-Stern & Hal Stern Sarah Sulkowski Dr. Steven Sussman Diane Sweeney Erin Sweeney Barbara Takenaga Martin Tandler Bruce & Stephanie Temple Tanya Thonre Betsy Vogel Ellen Wachtel Robin Wagge Allison Warenik-Queenan Cory Weiss Iris Wertheim Adam Wiener Richard F Williams Stanley Wine, Lillian Tang Dustin Wright Alan Yacavone David Yaffe Robert Zangrando
MAJOR GIFTS, CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Programs are supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Town Hall’s Education Outreach Program is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. The Centennial Concert Series is funded, in part, by Howard Gilman Foundation. We would like to thank the following foundations, corporations, and government institutions for their support. American Portfolios Bank of America Bob Dylan Center Broadhaven Capital Partners The Cheswatyr Foundation Consolidated Edison Company of New York The Durst Organization | Culpeper Arts & Culture The Hearst Foundations, Inc. The Hyde & Watson Foundation Edythe Kenner Foundation Gund Investment Corporation The IV Fund National Endowment for the Arts New York City Department of Cultural Affairs New York State Council on the Arts Henry Nias Foundation Howard Gilman Foundation New York State Governor Kathy Hochul New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine New York City Council Member Keith Powers New York City Council Member Gale Brewer New York City Council Member Julie Menin New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse New York City Council Member Kalman Yeger NYC Dept. Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo Rockefeller Brothers Fund S&P Global The Shubert Foundation The Sorel Organization Tandon Family Foundation Ticketmaster
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BRONZE PLAQUE GIVERS As of 10/27/2023
Shari Acebedo The Agnew Foundation Pam Africk Danielle & Arthur L. Aidala Lori Aidala-Bambina Mr. & Mrs. Louis R. Aidala The Louis R. Aidala Family Foundation Alexander’s Inc. Jane Allison Altier & Barasch Alumnae Club of NYU American Progressive Life Insurance Company of NY Theodore & Paule Anagnostaras Arthur Anderson & Co. Apple Bank for Savings Liz Armstrong Robin Arndt Margot Astrachan Robert Astrowsky & Yvette Geary Automatic Data Processing Grace Backman Barbara & Arthur Balik Julianna Rose Bambina Nicholas Arthur Bambina Jane & Lawrence J. Banks Candy & Michael Barasch Marlene Barasch Phyllis Barasch Barbara & Theodore Bartwink Katie Ann Behrens Laurie Bell Gertrude & Meyer Bender Susan & Harvey Berkey & Family Howard Berman Nancy & Evan Berman Lise Bestoff Bialkin Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Frederic S. Bogart William B. & Jane Eisner Bram Carol B. Brener Gerard Briscoe Judith Bronstein Laurie & Richard Brueckner The Bruner Foundation James Buresh Ralph Buultjens Philip Calabrese Karen & Alexander Callender Century Factors Inc. Leona & Marcy Chanin Carol & Herbert Chase Dr. Stuart Chassen Clarice & Irving Chaykin Mr. & Mrs. Chen Chi Jill & Irwin Cohen Mindy Cohen Penny & Marvin Cohen Mr. & Mrs. John J. Conley Colleen Cook Joseph Cullman, Ill Cumberland Investment Group Jacques D’Amboise Lew and Judy Tobias Davis Dr. Deborah & Aaron Dean Katherine DeFoyd & Gordon Murray Jamie Delio Shauna & Michael Denkensohn 14 | @TownHallNYC
Elizabeth & Charles Digangi Barbara Dobkin Lon Dolber Salil Donde Nancy & Bob Downey Doyle, Dane, Bernbach Inc. Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. Querida Duval Dunn Seymour Durst The Durst Organization Pasqua & Edward Dziadul Marilyn & Daniel Eisenberg Honorable Betty W. Ellerin Lawrence Elow Robert Scheffer Ely & Peter S. Ely Michael Embler Vera T. & Nathan Ende Judith Entes Robert Evanson Scott Evenbeck Mr. & Mrs. Robin L. Farkas Ambassador Ruth Lewis Farkas Eugene & Estelle Ferkauf Foundation Hazel & Russel Fershleiser Mr. & Mrs. Mark I. Finkelstein First City Financial Corporation Mr. & Mrs. Eugene J.T. Flanagan Professor Morris D. Forkosch Anne Francine Andrew Sidney Frank Dr. Charlotte Frank & Marvin Leffler Debra & Matthew Frank Emma Calley Frank Harrison Peter Frank Matilda Frank Matthew Frank Simon Noah Frank Michael & Anne Frank-Shapiro Ellen & Peter Frenkel Ruth G. Fribourg Sue & Evan Friedman Dori Fromer & Harley Frank Adrienne Frosch Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, PC Michael Furman Sylvia H. Fusfeld Laura Garn The Geist Foundation Richard Gelarden Stuart Gelwarg Jurgen Giesbert Gloria & Alvin B. Glaser Debra Goldberg Eileen Goldblatt The Goldie Anna Charitable Trust Richard Goodman Senator Roy M. Goodman Mr. & Mrs. Harry E. Gould, Jr. Sandra Coudert Graham Jonathan Gray Honorable Bill Green Patricia Green Linda & Fred Greenberg Susan & Neil Greenberg Kathleen Davis-Greener Antonia & George Grumbach, Jr. Gulf+ Western Foundation Agnes Gund & Daniel Shapiro
Llura & Gordon Gund Gita Gupte Richard Habib Jill & Martin Handelsman Robert Hansmann Peter O. Hanson George Hecht Hemmerdinger Foundation Geoffrey Hess Mrs. Gavin Hildick-Smith Dupree Hill David Hindie Herbert H. Hirschhorn Celeste Holm Josephine Lawrence Hopkins Foundation Sandy & Alfred Horowitz Aaron Lieber & Bruce Horten Fern Hurst & Dr. Peter Rubin Dr. Elizabeth lannizzi George Jacobs Anita Jaffe & Lawrence C. Zucker Janet & George Jaffin Susan & Norman Javitt Beatrice & Saul Jeffee John A. Jenkins Henry & Helene Johansson Christopher Joy Jujamcyn Theaters Laura Kaminsky Kenneth Kansas Adele & David Kanstoren Rita & Stanley H. Kaplan Foundation Sid & Oscar Kapnick Mr. & Mrs. Fred Katz Mr. & Mrs. George Katz Anita & Jay W. Kaufman Bel Kaufman & Sydney Gluck George & Mariana Kaufman Professor Robert A. Kavesh Carmen Webster Kelly Edythe Kenner Helen & Martin Kimmel Ruth & Louis Kizner Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Kiosk Arthur Koenig Alice Koenigsberger John Koerber Ruth Kogel Mr. & Mrs. Boris Kostelanetz Charlotte & Stanley Kriegel Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Kugler Rosalyn & Howard B. Kutner Robert N. Landes Ambassador & Mrs. Ronald Lauder Patricia Laxton Barbara & Peter Leavy Candace Leeds Jacqueline & Bruce Leffler Karin & Marc Leffler Rita & Robert Leffler Shirley Leffler Adrienne Marsh Lefkowitz Scott Lehrer Aphy & Rand Lennon Marjorie & John Leonard Vivien Leone Laurence M. Lerner Diana & Stanley C. Lesser
Lever Brothers Betty & John Levin Mary Helen & Jack Levine Charlotte & Harold Levinson Ivy Lewis, IV Fund Jan & Daniel Lewis Jay & Robin Lewis Joan M. Lewis Melony Lewis Ross Lewis & Peter Herbert Frances & John L. Loeb Foundation Mrs. Robert London Richard H. Low The Joe & Emily Lowe Foundation, Inc. Richard H.M. & Gail Lowe Maidman Grace Lyu-Volckhausen The Mabel Mercer Foundation R.H. Macy & Co. Richard Maidman Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company Carol Marks & Tom Wirtshafter The Brian R. Marlowe Foundation James Massey Jill Matthews Dorothy Maynor Julie & David F. McCarthy Rose & Jerome R. McDougal The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. John J. McGuire, Jr. MDC Corporation Dina Merrill Hartley Vivian Merrin Ruth Meyer Rob Milburn Paul Z. Miles Arleen & Justin D. Miller Claire & Seymour Miller Ellen Miller-Wachtel Andrew Miltenberg Vivian Milstein Phyllis & Bernard Mittman Honorable Milton Mollen Henry & Lucy Moses Fund Stewart Mott Chip Murphy Hon. Thomas S. Murphy The Nash Family Foundation National Bank of North America Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Needle The New Yorker Magazine Carole K. Newman Andrew Norton Dr. Torbjoern Nygaard Nancy & Morris W. Offit OFFITBANK Ogilvy & Mather Dorinda J. Oliver Lida Orzeck Aileen & Meyer Osofsky Shelly Packer Gabrielle Palitz Mr. & Mrs. Albert Parker Betsy & Stanley Parman Judy & Herbert Paul Doris & Martin Payson Tim Peierls Donna & Thomas Pepe
Grace Kopit Perlman Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Piazza Louise A. Pierot Phoebe Menken Planick Nyna Brael & Theodore Polumbaum Rosalind Posner Henry C. Preston Ruth J. Pugh Diana Ronan Quasha Theodore Racoosin Samuel J. Raiff Rita Rand Shweta Rawat Susie Raymond & Eva Franklin Reader’s Digest Anne & Harry Reicher Foundation Norman & Susan Reid Dasha Rettew Melody Sawyer Richardson River Bank America Rita Robbins Edith Roberts Dina Merrill Robertson Nathan Rogers Felix Roman Patricia Brodie Romanoff Vera Rony & Marvin Kristein Mr. & Mrs. Frederick P. Rose Drs. Pola & Herman Rosen Zita Rosenthal Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. Judith & Alfred Rosenberg Kathleen Rosenberg Michael J. Rosenberg Hilda & lrme J. Rosenthal Juliet Rosenthal Foundation Phyllis & Larry Rosenthal Nina Rosenwald Pat & John Rosenwald Dean Victoria Rosner Rhoda Rothkopf R. Douglas Rothman Robert de Rothschild Michael Rotter Arthur Rubin Nancy Rubin Richard P. Rubinstein Fiona Rudin The Rudin Foundation Robert Safron Saks Fifth Avenue Louis Salamone & Carolyn Felder MikeLynn Salthouse Sherry & Alan H. Salzman Robert M. Sandelman Steven Sanders Toby & David Schaps Betty & Stanley Schechter Dawn, Hope & Nicole Schefler Joan & Sylvan Schefler Mr. & Mrs. Max Schefler Roberta Schleicher Arnold & Marie Schwartz Fund Peter Scotese Martin E. Segal Company Judith Marcus Shampaine Muriel & Arthur Shapiro Rebecca Amy Shapiro Sarah Rose Shapiro
Brian & Patricia Shea Lilli Shedlin Susan & Victor Shedlin John Shivers Bobby Short The Shubert Organization Muriel Siebert Connie Silver Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Silverman Pauline Stein Silverman Clarissa & Lloyd Singer Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Slifka Ruth Smadbeck Kimberly Smith Geraldine & Daniel Soba Madhu Southworth Jerry I. Speyer Timothy J. Stambaugh Eve Stein Paige Price & Nevin Steinberg Judy & Michael Steinhardt M. John Sterba, Jr. Isabelle Stevenson Christine & George Stonbely Kartik Subramanian Stephen Sullens Swig Weiler & Arnow Management Sybase, Inc. Jeanette & Stephen Tabb Vicki & Harold Tananbaum Frieda & Edith Tausner Theatrical Stage Employees Local One Ligia Thompson Barbara & Malcolm Thomson Billie & Laurence Tisch Gloria Title Andrew Tobias Judy & Seth Tobias Friends of Seth Tobias Vicki Stillman-Toomey Dee & Bob Topol Larry Unger United States Trust Company of NY Laura & James Wagstaff Robert Wankel Time Warner Inc. Honorable Ruth V. Washington The Weiler-Arnow Family James A. Wein Lawrence A. Wein Jerome Weinstein Max Weintraub Jonathan Weiss Mildred & George Weissman Weston Wellington Ira T. Wender Martha West Fred Wistow Gordon Woodward World Challenge Inc. Murray Wortzel Mary Dettling-Wright Chas P. Young Company Christopher Young Viacom, Inc. Merryl & Charles Zegar Susan Zohn @TownHallNYC | 15
With our sincerest appreciation and gratitude for their dedication to making Town Hall “a Hall for All”, we would like to recognize our Trustees for their tireless efforts:
Tom Wirtshafter President
Marvin Leffler President Emeritus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Susan Zohn Nevin Steinberg Ellen Miller-Wachtel David McCarthy Rita Robbins Teniola Adedipe Shauna Denkensohn Anne Frank-Shapiro Frederick Gabriel Gita Gupte John A. Jenkins Natalie Moreno Madhu Southworth Timothy Stambaugh
LIFE TRUSTEES Phyllis Putter Barasch Mary Dettling-Wright Alfred H. Horowitz Bruce S. Leffler
With our respect and admiration, Rita Robbins and Bruce Arnold
Congratulations to André de Shields, Chandrika Tandon and Russ Titelman; our wonderful new Town Hall Friends of the Arts who grace our world with their talents and generosity. They and we honor the remarkable women whose vision and actions gave us Town Hall to preserve, cherish and keep moving forward! Long may She be a guiding light in educating, entertaining and fostering open discussion in order to make us all better citizens. Shauna & Michael Denkensohn
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@TownHallNYC | 19
Thank You! Roberto Adorno
Deja Green
Samantha Molinelli
Melay Tadesse Araya Arsha Attique
Tammy Renae Greer Khadijah Hamilton
Britni Montalbano Helen Morris
Anthony Baez Delisha Baez
Lisa Harding Paul Cameron Hardy
Tashya Ortiz Katiuska Paez
Tatiana Bahoque Donna Banks
Camya Hernandez Rebecca Jacobo
Sabrina Paratore Tyra Pope
Michael Bloomer Izaiah Brown
Kevin Jervey Abdul Jihad
Ifemi Quinones Eric Ramirez
Jennifer Bush Lemuel Callender Justin Carrasquillo Calvin Chao
Jorge Jusino Donna Kong Alexander Koveos Michael Kurz
Melvin Ramos Tiffany Reyes Kevin Robles Angel Rodriguez
Erin Contreras Tara Donahue Gamal Fares
Shaun Lally Ted Lambert Gloria Lee
Edgar Rodriguez Valerie Rodriguez Bruna Sampaio
Kai Fletcher Stanley Forestal
Penelope Leonardo Amber Levine
Ramon Sanabria Timothy Spencer
Joseph David Franqui Steven M Franqui
Edwin Lopez Andrew Lopez
Helene Suarino Rantea Thompson
Maura Garnett Seth Garrett
Josmeryi Lora Cinderella Major
Hady Toribio Unique Valdez
George Gee Jervey Jose Gill
Emmy Mancilla Jeff Mann
Marin Isabella Vargas Wilfredo Vilorio
Martinez Jan Gonazalez Jahi Grant
Oscar Maradiaga Taione Martinez
Chris Wendt John Winters
Nia Grant Johnny Lee Green
Naida Matos Kayana Maynard
Joshua Young
For your never-ending support and dedication to bringing world-class entertainment and education to New York!
With sincere gratitude and appreciation, Tom Wirtshafter, President, Marvin Leffler, President Emeritus, Ted Lambert, Executive Director and The Board of Trustees
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3070 Lawson Blvd, Oceanside NY |
Tel: (516) 837-1100 |
| 21 Tel: (516)@TownHallNYC 837-1200
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tom M. Wirtshafter President
THE TOWN HALL STAFF Ted Lambert Executive Director
Marvin Leffler
Melay Araya
President Emeritus
Artistic Director
Susan Zohn
Helen Morris
Executive Vice President
Nevin Steinberg Vice President
Ellen Miller-Wachtel General Counsel
David McCarthy Treasurer
Rita Robbins Secretary
TRUSTEES Teniola Adedipe Shauna Denkensohn Anne Frank-Shapiro Frederick Gabriel Gita Gupte John A. Jenkins David F. McCarthy Natalie Wexler Rita Robbins Madhu Southworth Timothy Stambaugh Nevin Steinberg
LIFE TRUSTEES Phyllis Putter Barasch Mary Dettling-Wright Alfred H. Horowitz Bruce S. Leffler
Director of Administration, Subscriptions & Membership
Paul Cameron Hardy Director of Booking & Events
Donna Banks, PhD Director of Development
Taione Martinez Director of Education
Jeff Mann Director of Marketing
Alex Koveos Senior Digital Media Manager
Gloria Lee Programming Manager
Britni Montalbano Administrative Assistant
Bill Dehling Technical Director
Angel Rodriguez Box Office Manager
Steven M. Franqui Chief Engineer
Johnny Lee Green House Manager Consultants
Dennis Rakauckas Graphic Design
ADVISORY COUNCIL
ADDRESS
Kathleen Rosenberg, Chair Nancy Berman Sandy Horowitz Elizabeth Iannizzi Candace Leeds Zita Rosenthal Rhoda Rothkopf
123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) New York, NY 10036
ARTS IN EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Michael Fram, Co-Chair Dr. Eloise Messineo, Co-Chair Barbara Murray Dr. Pola Rosen George Young
Town Hall is a 501C3 Non-Profit National Historic Landmark
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BOX OFFICE HOURS Monday — Saturday 12pm — 6pm Closed Sundays except for performance dates
WWW.THETOWNHALL.ORG