Second Stage Theatre's Spring Gala

New York City - Second Stage Theatre's Spring Gala celebration will honor Corporate Partner American Express, Artist Anna Deavere Smith, and Trustees Tavener Holmes Berry and Bambi Putnam for their extraordinary commitment to the arts and Second Stage on Monday, April 2, 2012 at Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street.

Second Stage alum Daniel Breaker ("Passing Strange," "Shrek") who recently starred in "By the Way," "Meet Vera Stark" will perform and host the evening that will include special performances by Morgan James ("Godspell") and a sneak peak at Second Stage's upcoming new musical, "Dogfight" with creators Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The evening will be directed by Jeremy Dobrish with musical direction by Justin Levine.

The Gala will also have an online auction running until April 17, 2012 featuring four special prizes: a chance to visit the set of ABC's Emmy-winning hit show "Modern Family;" tickets to the studio audience of "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon;" VIP passes to the April 10th premiere of ABC's new show "Don't Trust the B - in Apartment 23" at the Tribeca Grand; and finally a piece of Broadway memorabilia personalized by musical theatre legend Stephen Schwartz. For more information on the auction and how to participate please visit the website.

For ticket information call the Second Stage administration office 212-787-8302, ext. 118.

About Second Stage Theatre

Founded in 1979 under the leadership of Artistic Director Carole Rothman, Second Stage Theatre produces a diverse range of premieres and new interpretations of America's best contemporary theatre, including "Tiny Alice" and "Peter and Jerry" by Edward Albee; "The Good Times Are Killing Me" by Lynda Barry; "The Little Dog Laughed" by Douglas Carter Beane; "Little Murders: by Jules Feiffer; "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin; "A Soldier's Play" by Charles Fuller; "Afterbirth: Kathy & Mo's Greatest Hits" by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy; "Becky Shaw" by Gina Gionfriddo; "Painting Churches" and "Coastal Disturbances" by Tina Howe; "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants" and "On the Stem" by Ricky Jay; "Next to Normal" by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey; "Living Out" by Lisa Loomer; "This Is Our Youth" and "The Waverly Gallery" by Kenneth Lonergan; "Some Men" by Terrence McNally; "eurydice" by Sarah Ruhl; "Everyday Rapture" by Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott; "Let Me Down Easy" by Anna Deavere Smith; "Saturday Night" by Stephen Sondheim; "Crowns" by Regina Taylor; "Uncommon Women and Others" by Wendy Wasserstein; "Spoils of War" by Michael Weller; "Before It Hits Home," "Jar the Floor" and "Birdie Blue" by Cheryl L. West; "Jitney" by August Wilson; "Lemon Sky," "Serenading Louie" and "Sympathetic Magic" by Lanford Wilson; and "Metamorphoses" and "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci" by Mary Zimmerman.

The company's more than 130 citations include the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for "Next to Normal," the 2009 Tony Awards for Best Score, Best Orchestrations, and Best Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley) for "Next to Normal," the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (Julie White, "The Little Dog Laughed"), 2005 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical (Rachel Sheinkin, 'Spelling Bee') and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Dan Fogler, 'Spelling Bee'), 2002 Tony Award for Best Director of a Play (Mary Zimmerman for "Metamorphoses"), the 2002 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work, 27 Obie Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Clarence Derwent Awards, 12 Drama Desk Awards, nine Theatre World Awards, 12 Lucille Lortel Awards, the Drama Critics Circle Award and 15 AUDELCO Awards.

In 1999, Second Stage Theatre opened The Tony Kiser Theatre, its state-of-the-art, 296-seat theatre, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. In 2002, Second Stage launched "Second Stage Theatre Uptown" series to showcase the work of up and coming artists at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre. The Theatre supports artists through several programs that include residencies, fellowships and commissions, and engages students and community members through education and outreach programs.

Second Stage Theatre At Helen Hayes

Second Stage Theatre has acquired the right to purchase the historic Helen Hayes Theatre, located at 240 West 44th Street. With this new home, Second Stage will be the only theatre company on Broadway dedicated exclusively to the development and presentation of contemporary American theatrical productions. Second Stage will also become one of only four non-profit theatre companies that own and operate theatres on Broadway. The company will continue to lease and operate their original theatres on the city's Upper West Side and in Midtown Manhattan.

For more information, click here.