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
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 win ner 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 perfor mance 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 Broad way 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
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.
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 Chandri ka’s mantra. She has conducted numer ous benefit concerts on world stages to sold-out audiences, including the Ken nedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Chandrika’s other great passion focus es 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
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) Unplugged album, respectively. Titelman also produced Clapton’s 24 live album of 1990, the Rush movie soundtrack and the all-blues album From the (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
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.
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
Evan R. Chesler
Mona Golabek
2018
Laurie Anderson
Charles Hull
Robert Hurwitz
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
2009
Tovah Feldshuh
T. Phillip J. Smith
2008
Sharon Dunn
Fyvush Finkel
Lawrence C. Zucker
2007
Lillian Vernon
Sir George Shearing
2006
Barbara Cook
Judy & Michael Steinhardt
2005
Laurie M. Tisch
Peter Yarrow
2004
Sheldon Harnick
Morris W. Offit
2003
Paul LeClerc
Wendy Wasserstein
2002
Bobby Short
Mortimer B. Zuckerman
2001
Theodore Bikel
Michael Sovern
2000
Jacques d’Amboise
Muriel Siebert
1999
L. Jay Oliva
George Weissman
1998
Vartan Gregorian
Andrea Marcovicci
1997
Jane Alexander
John W. Kluge
1996
Agnes Gund
Lewis Rudin
Julie Wilson
1995
Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Senator Roy M. Goodman
1994
Anne Jackson & Eli Wallach
Vincent Sardi, Jr.
1993
Tony Bennett
Bill Green
1992
James R. Cherry
Dizzy Gillespie
1991
Victor Borge 1990
Marilyn Horne 1989
Joseph Papp
Beverly Sills
Martin E. Segal
Helen Hayes
Celeste Holm
Dina Merrill
Kitty Carlisle Hart
Gerald Schoenfeld
John Brademas
LITERARY SERIES THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS
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.
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!
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!
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
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
Nate Jackson: I’ll Do It Myself
Fri, Nov 10 | 7PM
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
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.
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, 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 Sun, Dec 10
Single AF: An Evening for Bad Bitches with Ariana Madix
Presented by Live Nation
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 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
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
SUPPORTERS
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
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
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
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 Marvin Leffler
President 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
Thank You!
Roberto Adorno
Melay Tadesse Araya
Arsha Attique
Anthony Baez
Delisha Baez
Tatiana Bahoque
Donna Banks
Michael Bloomer
Izaiah Brown
Jennifer Bush
Lemuel Callender
Justin Carrasquillo
Calvin Chao
Erin Contreras
Tara Donahue
Gamal Fares
Kai Fletcher
Stanley Forestal
Joseph David Franqui
Steven M Franqui
Maura Garnett
Seth Garrett
George Gee
Jervey Jose Gill
Martinez Jan Gonazalez
Jahi Grant
Nia Grant
Johnny Lee Green
Deja Green
Tammy Renae Greer
Khadijah Hamilton
Lisa Harding
Paul Cameron Hardy
Camya Hernandez
Rebecca Jacobo
Kevin Jervey
Abdul Jihad
Jorge Jusino
Donna Kong
Alexander Koveos
Michael Kurz
Shaun Lally
Ted Lambert
Gloria Lee
Penelope Leonardo
Amber Levine
Edwin Lopez
Andrew Lopez
Josmeryi Lora
Cinderella Major
Emmy Mancilla
Jeff Mann
Oscar Maradiaga
Taione Martinez
Naida Matos
Kayana Maynard
Samantha Molinelli
Britni Montalbano
Helen Morris
Tashya Ortiz
Katiuska Paez
Sabrina Paratore
Tyra Pope
Ifemi Quinones
Eric Ramirez
Melvin Ramos
Tiffany Reyes
Kevin Robles
Angel Rodriguez
Edgar Rodriguez
Valerie Rodriguez
Bruna Sampaio
Ramon Sanabria
Timothy Spencer
Helene Suarino
Rantea Thompson
Hady Toribio
Unique Valdez
Marin Isabella Vargas
Wilfredo Vilorio
Chris Wendt
John Winters
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
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Tom M. Wirtshafter
Leffler
President Emeritus
Susan Zohn
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
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Kathleen Rosenberg, Chair
Nancy Berman
Sandy Horowitz
Elizabeth Iannizzi
Candace Leeds
Zita Rosenthal
Rhoda Rothkopf
ARTS IN EDUCATION
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Michael Fram, Co-Chair
Dr. Eloise Messineo, Co-Chair
Barbara Murray
Dr. Pola Rosen
George Young
THE TOWN HALL STAFF
Ted Lambert
Executive Director
Melay Araya
Artistic Director
Helen Morris
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
ADDRESS
123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway) New York, NY 10036
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Monday — Saturday 12pm — 6pm
Closed Sundays except for performance dates