Multi-Award Winning Actor Matthew Morrison To Headline Westport Playhouse Gala
Westport, CT - Tony, Emmy and two-time Golden Globe nominee Matthew Morrison will headline Westport Country Playhouse’s 2017 fundraising gala on Saturday evening, September 9. New this year will be the Gala’s move to Saturday evening instead of Monday night as in past seasons. The Gala’s theme, “Moonlight Over Venice,” is a nod to the Playhouse’s autumn production of “Romeo and Juliet”.
The 2017 Playhouse Leadership Award will be presented to longtime Playhouse supporter Ann Sheffer of Westport, Connecticut, and Palm Springs, CA. “Ann has given incalculably to the Playhouse during important decades of its long history,” said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. “She has expressed her love for this theater through extraordinarily generous support, both financial and spiritual. We have been grateful to her for all she's done, and it's a privilege for us all to honor Ann at our 2017 gala.”
Gala headliner Matthew Morrison is a versatile actor who is recognized for his work on stage and on screen. Morrison most recently starred as “J.M. Barrie” in the Broadway musical, “Finding Neverland.” Morrison received two Drama Desk nominations for his role, and won the category of Favorite Actor in a Musical in the Broadway.com Audience Awards. Morrison was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in “The Light in the Piazza,” and received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for “10 Million Miles.” He also starred in the Tony-winning revival of “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center Theater.
In 2015, Morrison wrapped the final season of Fox’s musical comedy series, “Glee,” where he starred as the director of the glee club, “Mr. Schuester.” For “Glee,” Morrison received an Emmy nomination in 2010 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and Golden Globe nominations in 2010 and 2011 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical. The show received the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical in 2010 and 2011. Morrison also was a guest star on CBS’s “The Good Wife,” where he played U.S. Attorney Conor Fox through the series finale.
Morrison released a self-titled album in 2011, which featured guest artists including Sting, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sir Elton John, followed by an album of Broadway standards, “Where It All Began,” in 2013. He starred in the film, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” with Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Dennis Quaid; hosted and narrated the PBS special, “Oscar Hammerstein II - Out of My Dreams”; and was featured in a performance of Dustin Lance Black’s play, “8,” a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
Morrison studied musical theater, vocal performance, and dance at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He made his Broadway debut in “Footloose,” but his big break came as heartthrob Link Larkin in “Hairspray.”
Playhouse Leadership Award recipient Ann Sheffer’s history with the Playhouse began when she became an usher at age 15 and has seen many iterations over the past five decades. She served as a trustee for 16 years and was a lead champion for the building of the new Playhouse, with a special interest in preserving its history and cultural significance.
Sheffer has been deeply involved in private, foundation, and government funding for the arts, on national, state, and local levels. Her family has been involved in Westport for three generations, and, although she is now bicoastal, Sheffer continues her active support of all things Westport, especially those relating to the cultural life of the community.
A cocktail party will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. presentation of the Playhouse Leadership Award to Ann Sheffer, and 7:15 p.m. performance by Matthew Morrison. Dinner will be at 8:30 p.m. A silent auction will be on-going throughout the evening. The gala theme, “Moonlight Over Venice,” will evoke mystery, elegance, and enchantment, with décor featuring Venetian masks, hanging lanterns, strands of twinkle lights, jewel tones, and an Italian ambiance. Attire is festive; black tie optional. Valet parking will be provided.
The 2017 Gala Committee co-chairs are Ania Czekaj-Farber and Athena Adamson. Committee members include Barbara Streicker (Board of Trustees chair), Mary Ellen Marpe (Development Committee chair), Karen Parrella (auction chair), Molly Alger, Vani Birnbaum, Deborah Bono, Paige Couture, Diane DelVecchio, Katia Friend, Patricia Goodrich, Kristen Haines, Marjorie Jacobson, Anne Keefe, Darlene F. Krenz, Maggie Lehnerd-Reilly, Elizabeth Marks, Maria Mendoza-Smith, Terry Nardozzi, Judy Phares, Dana Rutson Robinson, Tricia Schwartz, Carol W. Seldin, Leslie Stetter, Diana Sussman, Nancy Tillson, Marietta B. White, Donovan Wildgoose, and Mindy Wolkstein.
The Honorary Gala Committee includes Maureen Anderman, Frank Converse, Mia Dillon, Keir Dullea, Jill Eikenberry, Daniel Gerroll, Joanna Gleason, James Earl Jones, Patricia Kalember, James Naughton, Kelli O’Hara, Christopher and Elaine Plummer, Chris Sarandon, and Michael Tucker.
Gala tickets are now on sale at the Benefactor and Patron levels. Benefactor level, at $2,500 per person, includes red carpet welcome, silent auction and cocktail party with special guests, highest priority seating at performance, and a post-performance dinner with the artists. Patron level, at $1,000 per person, includes red carpet welcome, silent auction and cocktail party with special guests, priority seating at performance, and post-performance dinner with the artists. All donations receive recognition in the evening’s program and inclusion as a 2017 Gala donor in 2018 Season programs (at applicable giving levels).
Gala proceeds will benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 87th season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.
For more Gala information or ticket purchases, contact Aline O’Connor, associate director of development, at 203-571-1138, or aoconnor@westportplayhouse.org.