O’Neill Theater Center Benefit Fetes Founder George C. White With New York City Gala At The Union Club & The Kaye Playhouse October 29th

Waterford, CT, October 17, 2001 – The O’Neill Center, a haven for the advancement of new theater works and artists since 1964, will hold a benefit on Monday, October 29 celebrating its founder George C. White with a reception and performance of highlights and reminiscences from the O’Neill’s first 37 years. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. at The Union Club (101 E. 69th Street) and continue with a performance from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park and Lexington).

Performers will include Charles S. Dutton reading from August Wilson’s FENCES; Brian Dennehy reading from the letters of O’Neill; John Guare reading from his play THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES; Margaret Whiting singing “Day In, Day Out;” Paul Kandel (Broadway’s TITANIC and THE WHO’S TOMMY) singing “Coriander,” from Allan Leicht and Glenn Paxton’s THE ADVENTURES OF FRIAR TUCK; Julia Murney (A CLASS ACT, TIME AND AGAIN) singing “Life of the Party,” from Andrew Lippa’s THE WILD PARTY; and Dennis Parlato (THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CHESS, A CHORUS LINE) singing “Guido’s Song,” from Mario Fratti, Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston’s NINE. Alumni and teachers from the O’Neill’s National Theater Institute and Puppetry Conference will present their work.

Also scheduled to appear are former Chairman of The National Endowment for the Arts Jane Alexander, President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization Ted Chapin, U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, actor Michael Douglas, Waterford first selectman Paul Eccard, Manhattan Theatre Club Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, playwright Jeffrey Hatcher and former Artistic Director of the O’Neill Playwrights Conference Lloyd Richards.

“George White created a vision of a place where artists and new works could grow and develop a model of theatrical creation that was to become a template for supporting and enhancing America’s theatrical dreams,” commented O’Neill Executive Director Howard Sherman, who assumed leadership of the O’Neill when White retired in January 2001. “It is appropriate that we honor him with this benefit, which will help sustain his legacy and the future of the O’Neill.”

The O’Neill Center’s contributions to the theater under White’s leadership have been recognized in many ways, including (in chronological order) the Margo Jones Award, Tony Award, National Opera Institute Award, Jujamcyn Theaters Award, American Theater Association Citation and an Encore Award from the Arts and Business Council.

The O’Neill is dedicated to the development of new work for the theater and creates and operates programs which advance and complement that goal. These include the Playwrights Conference, Music Theater Conference, Critics Institute, Puppetry Conference and Cabaret Symposium, as well as the National Theater Institute and the Monte Cristo Cottage.

Those interested in receiving an invitation or more information about the benefit should call the O’Neill’s development office at 860-443-5378.