As the situation around the novel coronavirus continues to develop, we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety and health of every member of the Red Bull Theater community. Communities around the globe are facing unprecedented challenges as COVID-19 continues to spread.
Therefore, given this public health threat, we have CANCELED this year’s Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit that was scheduled for March 30. Our decision was made out of an abundance of caution and with your health and the well-being of our entire community in mind, and as New York is under a state of emergency as of last Saturday.
Over the coming months, we will find a way to celebrate Kate Burton, André De Shields and TDF and their dynamic contributions to classical theater. Our annual gala is Red Bull Theater’s most important fundraiser. Your contribution and the funds raised at this event are essential to our ability to fulfill our mission of bringing rarely seen classic plays to dynamic new life for you and other contemporary audiences.
RED BULL THEATER cordially invites you to join us for this intimate soirée, featuring fine dining, live music and the presentation of the Matador Awards for Excellence in Classical Theater to the transcendent KATE BURTON, the illustrious ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS, and the essential TDF.
This event is Red Bull’s most significant fundraiser.
All proceeds make our work possible.
This unforgettable evening of fun and frolic, hosted by ARNIE BURTON, STEPHEN DEROSA, and CHARLAYNE WOODARD, will feature a bevy of surprises and special guests.
HONORARY BENEFIT COMMITTEE
F. Murray Abraham
Matthew Amendt
Craig Baldwin
Emily Bergl
Arnie Burton
Michael Cerveris
Helen Cespedes
Kathleen Chalfant
Christian Conn
Robert Cuccioli
Kelley Curran
Paige Davis
Stephen DeRosa
Olympia Dukakis
Jennifer Ehle
Michael Emerson
Manoel Felciano
Tovah Feldshuh
Adam Green
John Guare
Jason Butler Harner
Lisa Harrow
Tom Hewitt
Oscar Isaac
Christopher Innvar
Chukwudi Iwuji
Zainab Jah
Merritt Janson
Cherry Jones
Dion Johnstone
Celia Keenan-Bolger
Judy Kuhn
Teresa Avia Lim
Hamish Linklater
Mark Linn-Baker
Richard Maltby, Jr.
Ismenia Mendes
Talene Monahon
Alfredo Narciso
Bebe Neuwirth
Jack O’Brien
Brad Oscar
Ken Page
Patrick Page
Martha Plimpton
Mary Ann Plunkett
Louisa Proske
Carrie Preston
Amanda Quaid
Lily Rabe
Clint Ramos
Cherie Corinne Rice
AnnaSophia Robb
Laila Robins
Reg Rogers
Lynn Rosen
Jay O. Sanders
Miriam Silverman
Steven Skybell
Derek Smith
Rick Sordelet
Stephen Spinella
Sir Patrick Stewart
Michael Stuhlbarg
Mary Testa
Richard Thomas
Michael Urie
Marc Vietor
Charlayne Woodard
José Zayas
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jesse Berger
Susan Doran
Joanne Casey
Katherine Hood
David Kalodner
James Killerlane III
Bradley McCormick
Noah Millman
Evangeline Morphos
Howard Owens
Matthew Rauch
Peter Rigby
Alice Scovell
Sarah Sosbe
John Yavroyan
BENEFIT PLANNING COMMITTEE
Joanne Casey
Mary Collins
Katherine Hood
Sally Huxley
Evangeline Morphos
Jane Oppenheim
Betty Rauch
Peter Rigby
Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater
KATE BURTON
The daughter of two celebrated Shakespearean actors, Kate has played Viola, Juliet, Desdemona, and Isabella. Her performances in both Coriolanus and Cymbeline for Shakespeare in the Park, were uniformly praised, and in 2018 she was lauded for her Prospera in The Tempest for the Old Globe. A three-time Tony and Emmy Award nominee, she was last seen on Broadway opposite Kevin Kline in Present Laughter. On television, she is best known for her work in “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater
ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS
At the age of 73, André was awarded the Tony Award for his performance in Hadestown. His illustrious career has spanned a half-century. After getting his start as the eponymous The Wiz in 1975, he has continued to distinguish himself as an actor, director, and educator. He received Tony nominations for the musicals Play On! and The Full Monty. He has received praise for his classical work, including King Lear at Classical Theater of Harlem and Red Bull’s own The Witch of Edmonton.
Presented by PATRICK PAGE
George Mayer Matador Award for Extraordinary Service to Classical Theater
TDF
TDF (also known as Theatre Development Fund) is a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone. Founded in 1968, TDF’s mission is to sustain live theatre and dance by engaging and cultivating a broad and diverse audience and eliminating barriers to attendance. TDF fulfills its mission with a variety of programs that expand access, cultivate communities and support the makers of the performing arts. Executive Director Victoria Bailey will accept the award.
Presented by KATHLEEN CHALFANT