LincolnCenter held
its annual Spring Gala in the Rose Theater in Frederick
P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Wednesday,
April 9. The black tie evening honored Robert
A. Iger,
president and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. Over 600
guests attended the annual event which raised $2.9 million
for Lincoln Center, Inc. and the more than 400 performances
it produces and
presents each year. The Walt Disney Company also announced
that it was giving Lincoln Center $3 million for its
capital campaign.
Following an elegant cocktail reception, Good
Morning America's Diane Sawyer presented
Mr. Iger with the Lincoln Center Laureate Award for
his generous support of the performing arts. Vanessa
Williams, the Tony, Grammy,
and Emmy-nominated actress and singer, hosted the
evening as well as performed. The event celebrated
the music of Disney films, from the classics to the
contemporary.
The Disney music was performed by the 65-member Orchestra
of St. Luke's and a number of special guests
including Michael Bolton, Angela M. Brown,
Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Krakowski, and John
Pizzarelli. Composer Alan Menken also
performed a medley from his catalogue of movie music,
accompanying himself on piano.
The Gala chairs were George W. Bodenheimer,
Andy P. Mooney, Thomas S. Murphy, Brian L. Roberts,
Thomas O. Staggs, David J. Stern, Barbara and James
Block, and CB Richard Ellis.
