NY S ARTS FALL GALA honors BARBARA COOK

[musicow]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 12:21am

The NYS ARTS held their Fall Gala at Manhattan Penthouse this evening. The honorees this year were Elyzabeth Kleinhans, owner and operator of 59E59; Phoebe Jacobs - Vice President of the Louis Armstrong Foundation; and Barbara Cook, Broadway/concert legend. The Emcee for the show was Stephanie Simon of NY1. Trumpeter Jon Faddis serenaded Ms. Jacobs with a show stopping Louis Armstrong inspired rendition of The National Anthem.
Kelli O'Hara delivered an inspired performance of MISTER SNOW, and Rebecca Luker followed with a touching MY WHITE KNIGHT - both performed directly to Ms. Cook, who seemed genuinely touched by the singing and performances offered (sans mike) by these two sensational Broadway performers. The MD/pianist for the evening was Michael Dansicker.

The only sad note of the evening was the mention of NY's Governor David Paterson's proposal to majorly curtail funding of the Arts in NY State '09.

Veronica Claypool, President of the Board of Directors, and Judith Kaufman Weiner, Executive Director also spoke and welcomed the many guests attending.