Michael Urie Will Host 2019 Actors Fund Gala Honoring Harvey Fierstein, Rita Moreno, More

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Industry News Michael Urie Will Host 2019 Actors Fund Gala Honoring Harvey Fierstein, Rita Moreno, More Performers will include Amber Gray, Beth Leavel, Michael Potts, Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Sarah Stiles.

By Andrew Gans

April 26, 2019

Michael Urie and Harvey Fierstein Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Stage and screen star Michael Urie (Torch Song, Ugly Betty) will host The Actors Fund’s Annual Gala April 29 at the New York Marriott Marquis, located at 1535 Broadway.

As previously reported, four members of the entertainment industry will be presented with The Actors Fund's Medal of Honor: Tony-winning Torch Song playwright and actor Harvey Fierstein; Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-winning actor Rita Moreno; International President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and international labor leader and community advocate Matthew D. Loeb; and Chairman & CEO of the John Gore Organization and Tony-winning producer John Gore.

//assets.playbill.com/editorial/4daf9a13d26ebafe871a091a22ade754-unknown-2.jpeg — Rita Moreno Austin Hargrave

The celebration will include performances by Amber Gray (Hadestown), The Prom's Beth Leavel, Michael Potts, and Matthew Sklar, Oklahoma! duo Damon Daunno and Rebecca Naomi Jones, Sarah Stiles (Tootsie), and a special appearance by Chairman of The Actors Fund Brian Stokes Mitchell. Luke Hawkins and Evan Ruggiero will open the gala with an original tap dance number.

Additional presenters and guests include Annette Bening, Kenny Leon, Jawan M. Jackson, Tony Kushner, Will Roland, Brandon Uranowitz, Eric William Morris, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Gideon Glick.

READ: Rita Moreno Will Return to West Side Story for New Film Adaptation

The evening begins at 6 PM with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7 PM and a tribute.

“Harvey, John, Matthew and Rita are legends in our community,” said Mitchell in an earlier statement. “They are rightfully due this highest honor from The Actors Fund, both for their dedication to performing arts and entertainment and for the leadership they provide in guiding the way for the next generation of artists and arts workers.”

READ: How Harvey Fierstein Learned to Pass on the Reins for Broadway’s Torch Song

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.

Tickets to the benefit begin at $1,500 and include reception, dinner, and entertainment. For tables and sponsorships, call (212) 627-1000 or email actorsfund@resevt.com. For more information, visit ActorsFund.org.

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