John Lithgow to Emcee the New 42nd Street Gala

The New 42nd Street Gala, to be held on Monday, June 3 at the Plaza Hotel, will honor Cora Cahan, founding President & CEO, who is stepping down after 29 years of leadership. Proceeds from the event will benefit the New Victory Theater's innovative arts and engagement programs, which reach more than 55,000 kids each year.

Artists set to pay tribute to Cahan at the annual gala include the evening's Master of Ceremonies, New 42nd Street board member John Lithgow (Hillary and Clinton), along with performances by Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!), Gavin Creel (Hello, Dolly!), Norm Lewis (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert), and New 42nd Street board member Bill Irwin (FX's Legion), with more to be announced.

"Cora fearlessly leads and leans in," says Fiona Rudin, Chairman of the Board of the New 42nd Street. "Since the New 42nd Street's inception, her approach has always been bold, creative, and prescient. Her tremendous impact on the City will continue to be felt by future generations of New Yorkers."

Committed to the transformational power of the arts, the New 42nd Street has guided its work with an emphasis on bringing access and diversity to New York cultural arts, as made evident by the award-winning New 42nd Street Youth Corps, a groundbreaking, creative youth development model that provides young New Yorkers with jobs in the arts; and the internationally-lauded arts education programs of the New Victory Theater, which annually brings 40,000 students to the theater as the largest provider of international, multidisciplinary live performances to New York City schools.