03apr6:00 pm10:00 pm2023 SONDHEIM AWARD GALAInvitation Only Event
Event Overview
Signature’s Sondheim Award Gala honors individuals who have made important contributions to the American Musical Theater. This spring, Signature is thrilled to celebrate the legendary Chita Rivera, one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents.
Time
(Monday) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street, NW, Washington DC 20008
Event Description
- Signature’s Sondheim Award Gala honors individuals who have made important contributions to the American Musical Theater. This spring, Signature is thrilled to celebrate the legendary Chita Rivera, one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story brought her stardom and launched a storied career. She is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history, having earned 10 nominations and three awards. Her most recent nomination was in 2015 for The Visit, the final collaboration between John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Terrence McNally, for the role she previously played to great acclaim at Signature in 2008.
- In addition to honoring Chita Rivera, Signature will celebrate Michelle S. Lee, Founder, President, & CEO of STG International, Inc. with The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award for her incredible leadership and support for Signature and for making a difference in the lives of people throughout the region.
As one of the Washington region’s premier fundraising events, the Sondheim Award Gala benefits Signature’s artistic, education, and community outreach programs, impacting more than 100,000 individuals each year. - “Chita and my uncle, Fred Ebb, were dear friends and she starred in one of the last musicals he wrote with John Kander, The Visit at Signature in 2008,” said Gala Chair, Cathy Bernard. “Uncle Fred and Chita celebrated Christmas together every year with my grandmother as a cherished family friend, and we are honored to have her as part of the Signature family and present her with the Sondheim Award in recognition of her legendary career. Chita is one of the true icons of Broadway and the American musical theater and we are fortunate to be able to celebrate her achievements and immense talent.”
- “It felt appropriate to look towards the beginning of Mr. Sondheim’s accomplished career when selecting this year’s recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award,” said Signature’s Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner. “Ms. Rivera is perhaps best known for her iconic performance as Anita in West Side Story, the musical that marked Mr. Sondheim’s first foray onto the Broadway stage. We are thrilled to bestow this honor upon Ms. Rivera, who has long been a dear friend of Signature, having graced our stage in 2008 in The Visit. She now joins a distinguished group of honorees who have received this award over the past decade. We look forward to celebrating her storied career this spring with a festive and joyous evening at the Italian Embassy.”
Highlights
- Chita Rivera is a legendary triple-threat talent in the American Musical Theater who is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history, having earned 10 nominations and three awards. Her most recent nomination was in 2015 for The Visit.
- Michelle S. Lee, Founder, President, & CEO of STG International, Inc., will also be honored at the Sondheim Award Gala with The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award for her leadership and support for Signature and for making a difference in the lives of people throughout the region.
- The Sondheim Award Gala is one of the premier fundraising events in the Washington region and benefits Signature’s artistic, education, and community outreach programs, which impact more than 100,000 individuals each year.