Guild Hall’s 39th Annual Academy Of The Arts Achievement Awards Dinner

Guild Hall celebrated the 39th annual Academy of the Arts Achievement Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 22, at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City. The event, which recognizes the lifetime achievements of artists, creative professionals, and individuals who passionately support the arts, honored arts patron and Guild Hall trustee Linda Lindenbaum with the Special Award for Leadership and Philanthropy, presented by board chairman Marty Cohen; and artist and outgoing Academy president Eric Fischl with the Chairman’s Award for Service to the Academy, in recognition of his Academy stewardship and co-founding of the Guild House Artist-in-Residence program. Executive Director and budding stand-up comic, Andrea Grover, presented Fischl (author of the autobiography “Bad Boy”) with an uproarious Friar’s Club-inspired roasting that included the call and response, “He’s so bad…How bad is he?”

After an impactful speech on her new role as Academy president, Broadway director and choreographer, Susan Stroman invited the newest Academy inductees in attendance to the stage and presented them with medals. Those in attendance included Sheree Hovsepian, Joseph M. Pierce, Jeffrey Seller, and Almond Zigmund. Stroman then acknowledged additional inductees Katie Couric, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and David Rockwell.

Stroman then passed the mic to SiriusXM host and Broadway conductor, Seth Rudetsky, who, in his signature witty style, accompanied stage veterans Tony Yazbeck and Debra Monk with tribute performances in honor of their dear friend, “Stro.” Yazbeck belted “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma” (where he appeared in the ensemble), followed by a rousing tap dance while singing “I Can’t Be Bothered Now” from “Crazy For You,” which Stroman choreographed on Broadway. He then joined Rudetsky for a charming duet of “’Til Him” from another Stroman-helmed hit, “The Producers.” Next, Rudetsky took center stage for a heart (and key) pounding rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue” in honor of Stro’s love for Gershwin. Finally, Tony Award winner Debra Monk brought down the house with a bawdy performance of “Everybody’s Girl,” the number she performed in “Steel Pier” (originally choreographed by Stroman), flaunting a bright yellow boa for added dramatic effect.

“This Academy Dinner was more Guild Hall than ever — with a whirlwind of Broadway performances, attendance by art and theater world luminaries, and an abundance of laughter and joy,” said Andrea Grover, Executive Director.

In addition to the hosts, honorees, inductees, and performers in attendance, other guests included Julian Schnabel, Rashid Johnson, April Gornik, Joel Mesler, Ross Bleckner, Jason Bard Yarmosky, Nina Yankowitz, Toni Ross, Arcmanoro Niles, Alice Hope, Evan Yee, Philippe Cheng, Bastienne Schmidt, Daryl Roth, Ana Gasteyer, Victor Garber, Tovah Feldshuh, Peter Gallagher, Fern Mallis, Arne and Milly Glimcher, Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall, Julie James, Leonardo Sandoval, Gregory Richardson, Gina Gibney, Roderick George, and Florence Fabricant.

For more information, visit guildhall.org.