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Held Feb. 2 at the Pierre Hotel, the musical tribute, inspired by Jones' career in theatre, film and television, will be directed by Nick Corley.
Performers include Tyne Daly, Kelsey Grammer, Elizabeth Ashley, Annaleigh Ashford, Jefferson Mays, James Monroe Iglehart, Phylicia Rashad, Kristine Nielsen, Dylan Walsh and Leslie Uggams. A special tribute will be offered by cast members of the Broadway revival You Can’t Take It With You.
Jones was one of the first African-American actors to appear regularly in daytime soap operas (playing a doctor in both "The Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns"), and made his film debut in 1964 in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove." In 1969 Jones won a Tony Award for his performance as boxer Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope (which also garnered him an Oscar nomination for the 1970 film adaptation). His stage work also includes The Best Man, Driving Miss Daisy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Othello and Paul Robeson.
His film credits include "Matewan," "Field of Dreams" and "Cry, the Beloved Country" and voice work in "Star Wars" and "The Lion King."
The Drama League will also recognize the "The Good Wife" as its 2015 Arts Ally in recognition of executive producers Robert and Michelle King and casting director Mark Saks. Saks will accept the recognition from Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, currently starring in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Cabaret and as a series regular on "The Good Wife."
Previous honorees include Neal Patrick Harris, Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chita Rivera, Rosie O’Donnell and Terrence McNally.
The event is produced by Roger T. Danforth and Trevor Tamashiro.
The Pierre Hotel is located at 2 East 61st Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or by visiting dramaleague.org/events/gala.