A fundraiser honoring Playhouse alumni!

Join us on September 14th for a jazzy and joyful evening honoring Tony Award-winning star Kristin Chenoweth and Drama Desk Award-winning music director Mary-Mitchell Campbell. The evening will celebrate the music of multi-Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning composer Cy Coleman, best known for The Best Is Yet to Come and music from his Broadway shows Sweet Charity, Barnum, and On the Twentieth Century. The 2024 Leadership Award will be presented to Westport’s own Harold Bailey, Jr. and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey.

Joining the honorees to perform some of Coleman’s hits will be F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Queen of Versailles); Laura Benanti (Gypsy, Swing!, Nine); Raúl Esparza (Speed-the-Plow, Company, Taboo); Norm Lewis (Phantom of the Opera, Porgy & Bess; NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!); Bonnie Milligan (Kimberly Akimbo, Head Over Heels); Debra Monk (Redwood Curtain, Curtains, Picnic); and Lillias White (Fela!, Dreamgirls, Hadestown, Cy Coleman’s The Life).

Don’t miss your chance to see this extraordinary group of performers as they come together for a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Proceeds to benefit Westport Country Playhouse

Continue below for all the details of the evening! Get to know our honorees, Leadership Award recipients and special guest performers. Learn the items available at our LIVE auction and be sure to purchase a raffle boxes for a chance to win some beautiful jewels!

TICKET OPTIONS

$1,000 TICKET

Includes premium seating for the performance & a post-show reception! ($660 tax deductible)

$500 TICKET

Includes premium seating for the performance! ($325 tax deductible)

$300 TICKET

Includes seating for the performance! ($175 tax deductible)

A limited number of $10,000 sponsorships are available which includes a meet & greet with the stars! To inquire, contact Catherine MacKay, Development & Special Events Manager.

GET TO KNOW THE HONOREES

Kristin Chenoweth

Honoree

Mary-Mitchell Campbell

Honoree

MEET THE LEADERSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Bernicestine McLeod Bailey

Leadership Award Honoree

Harold Bailey, Jr.

Leadership Award Honoree

MEET THE SPECIAL GUESTS

F. Murray Abraham

Host

Laura Benanti

Raúl Esparza

Norm Lewis

Bonnie Milligan

Debra Monk

Lillias White

We are honored to have such extraordinary talent on our stage for the gala. This annual event plays a big part in our fundraising efforts for the year, and we are grateful to our community for coming to the Playhouse and supporting us September 14th."

Athena Adamson

Chair, Playhouse Board of Trustees

About Cy Coleman

Click here to read more about famous American composer and lyricist Cy Coleman!

Learn all about the live auction

Click to visit WCP2024.givesmart.com for more info

Details on the auction items – three exclusive experiences!

Steve Martin & Martin Short

You and a guest are invited to watch Steve Martin and Martin Short perform live at Foxwoods Casino on Friday, November 15, 2024 and attend a post-show meet and greet!

Go backstage with WICKED!

Take 3 friends to see the hit Broadway musical Wicked PLUS go backstage for a tour and meet members of the current cast!

Dinner on the Playhouse stage

You and 9 guests will take center stage under the lights on the Playhouse stage for a catered dinner courtesy of Gabriele's of Westport with Westport Country Playhouse's Artistic Director, Mark Shanahan and Managing Director, Beth Huisking.

Check out the raffle!

Purchase a box for a chance to win jewelry by Marco Bicego!

INTERVIEWS AND ARTICLES

The Lisa Wexler Show

Season 2024, Ep. 9.5 • Thursday, September 5, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse Artistic Director, Mark Shanahan, joins Lisa Wexler to talk about The Playhouse's biggest fundraising event of the year: The Best Is Yet To Come. September 14th, 7p.

Gala and Fundraisers

Every year, we offer a series of fundraisers to benefit various programs at the Playhouse. All proceeds go directly to support our non-profit, professional, producing theater and its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.

Learn about past galas and fundraisers HERE!

THANK YOU

Piano provided by Falcetti Pianos.

Sound equipment generously provided by Sound Associates Inc.

Beverage sponsors for the evening are Brescome Barton and Castle Wines & Spirits.

Raffle box prizes donated by Lux Bond & Green.

2024 Programming & Season Sponsorship is generously provided by Barbara Streicker.

Media Sponsorship for the 2024 season is generously provided by Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.

All titles, dates, and artists are subject to change.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

The Best Is Yet to Come

A fundraiser honoring Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell

PAST EVENT

$1000, $500, $300