A Star Studded Affair: Uptown | Downtown a benefit for the Abrons Arts Center
By Henry Street Settlement
The stars came out in full force on Monday night to celebrate Uptown | Downtown, a benefit for Henry Street Settlement’s Abrons Arts Center.
A review in today’s Broadway World said it best: “a world-class cast of performers representing Manhattan’s uptown and downtown performance scenes shared the stage for this special event. As Henry Street Settlement Executive Director David Garza joked, the government may be shut down, but Abrons Arts Center is most definitely still open.”
The evening began with a cocktail reception, where over 300 attendees including the event’s honorary chairman Mikhail Baryshnikov — mingled and viewed works of art available for purchase through an online auction. The main event, held in the Playhouse, featured performances by stars of uptown and downtown stages: Kyle Abraham (who opened the show with a stunning solo), Joey Arias (who was, of course, AMAZING, despite the fact he had just stepped off a plane from London), Claron McFadden (who stole our hearts with her John Cage “Aria”), Ellen Greene (who batted it out of the ballpark with her Peter Allen tribute), Philippe Petit (who reminded us all what grace is), Jack Ferver, James Whiteside, and Reid Bartelme (who did whatever it was they did and stole the show), Robert La Fosse (whose tribute to Isadora Duncan raised her ghost for seven minutes of divinity), and Bebe Neuwirth ( the lady is all class and nothing but class).
“Thanks to the dedication of committee members, performers, artists, volunteers, staff and attendees, our fundraising goal was met,” said David Garza. “Proceeds from the benefit will help the Abrons continue to brings arts to the community via cutting-edge performances and exhibitions, classes and camps.”
