And presenting The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award to Michelle S. Lee

Monday, April 3, 2023
Embassy of Italy

3000 Whitehaven St NW
Washington, DC 20008

Cathy Bernard, Chair

6:00PM Cocktails
7:00PM Seated Dinner and Award Presentation

With special performances by Tony® Award winning Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell (Broadway’s Shuffle Along and Ragtime), Jessie Mueller (Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Waitress); as well as beloved Signature artists Austin Colby (West Side Story), Natascia Diaz (West Side Story), Vincent Kempski (Into the Woods), David Merino (Into the Woods), Katie Mariko Murray (Into the Woods), and Nova Y. Payton (Into the Woods).

Black Tie I Complimentary Valet Parking
We will determine specific safety protocols for the 2023 Sondheim Award Gala in compliance with future conditions.

Gala Reservation Form

Signature’s Sondheim Award Gala honors individuals who have made important contributions to the American Musical Theater. This spring, Signature is thrilled to celebrate the legendary Chita Rivera, one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story brought her stardom and launched a storied career. She is one of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history, having earned 10 nominations and three awards. Her most recent nomination was in 2015 for The Visit, the final collaboration between John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Terrence McNally, for the role she previously played to great acclaim at Signature in 2008.

Click here to read Chita Rivera’s full bio

In addition to honoring Chita Rivera, Signature will celebrate Michelle S. Lee, Founder, President, & CEO of STG International, Inc. with The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award for her incredible leadership and support for Signature and for making a difference in the lives of people throughout the region. The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award was created to honor community leaders who’ve made an extraordinary impact in the greater DC community through their advocacy and passion for the arts and arts education. The award is made in memory of J. Watkins, a long-time Signature Board member, an important part of the Sondheim Award Gala leadership team, and a tremendous ambassador for Signature and the arts in our community.

Click here to read Michelle S. Lee’s full bio

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS

$1,200 Individual Level Sponsorship (1 person)

$6,000 Silver Level Sponsorship (5 people/half table)

$12,000 Gold Level Sponsorship (10 people/one table)

$25,000 Platinum Level Sponsorship (10 people/premier table)

$50,000 Diamond Level Sponsorship (20 people/two premier tables)

To reserve your ticket or table, please contact events@sigtheatre.org or download and return the Gala Reservation Form.

Gala Reservation Form

2023 SONDHEIM AWARD GALA SPONSORS

Diamond
Cathy Bernard

Platinum
Amazon
Dottie Bennett and Richard Morton
The Boeing Company
Bonnie Feld
Bradley S. Frey/J. Watkins’ Fund or Arts and Education
Celie and Tabitha Niehaus
H. Mac and Michele-Anne Riley
The Ted & Mary Jo Shen Charitable Gift Fund

Gold
Greg Albright and Wesley Combs
John F. Benton and David W. Briggs
Chevy Chase Trust
Michael DeSantis and Patrick Baugh
DoPaNo Productions, LLC
Dana A. Hearn and Kevin J. McCloskey
Don and Angela Irwin
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Missy Kurek
Peter and Mary Jay Michel
David Ochsman
Russ Schriefer and Nina Easton
Susan C. Schwab
Carl Spatz and Thomas Hesselbrock
Peter and Ann Tanous
Jeffrey Thurston and Charles Berardesco
Maya Weil

Silver
J. Max Barger
Frank Guzzetta and Paul Manville
Marilyn and Michael Hausfeld
Lou Mazawey
Reinsch Pierce Family Foundation by Lola C. Reinsch
Richard J. Underwood

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS

David Powers

*as of March 24, 2023

ABOUT THE SONDHEIM AWARD GALA

Signature’s annual Sondheim Award Gala honors those who have contributed to the works of Stephen Sondheim and the canon of American Musical Theater. The Sondheim Award Gala benefits Signature’s artistic, education, and community outreach programs.

The Gala is a festive evening that includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet seated dinner, and a delicious dessert buffet. Each year, the honoree receives a special award presentation that includes tribute performances by notable Broadway and Signature artists.

ABOUT THE J. WATKINS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The J. Watkins Distinguished Service Award honors community leaders who have made an extraordinary impact in the greater DC community through their passion and advocacy for theater and arts education. The award is made in memory of J. Watkins, a long-time Signature Board Member, an important part of the Sondheim Award Gala leadership team, and a tremendous ambassador for Signature and the arts in our community.

PAST RECIPIENTS

SONDHEIM AWARD

2022 Carol Burnett

2019 Audra McDonald

2018 John Kander

2017 Cameron Mackintosh

2016 John Weidman

2015 James Lapine

2014 Jonathan Tunick

2013 Harold “Hal” Prince

2012 Patti LuPone

2011 Bernadette Peters

2010 Angela Lansbury

THE J. WATKINS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

2022 Merrill and Mark Shugoll

2019 Congressman Don Beyer and Mrs. Megan Beyer

For more information, please contact:
571 527 1828 or events@sigtheatre.org