The 15th annual Signature Theatre Sondheim Award Gala on March 16th honored Vanessa Williams, celebrating her contributions to Sondheim’s works like Into the Woods and Sondheim on Sondheim. The proceeds from the night’s gala benefit Signature Theatre’s artistic, education, and community programs.
The event was hosted by Emmy Award nominee Michael Urie.
The evening featured a video tribute and performances, including tributes from Awa Sal Secka, Mark. G. Meadows, Norm Lewis, Nova Y. Payton, and many others.
It was a moving evening on which so many paid tributes to Ms. Williams, not only in song but telling moving stories about how she changed their lives, her generosity towards others, and her professionalism. It was moving to hear from Michael Urie about how she provided him with a bike in his time of need and also opened her home at the drop of a hat to do a wedding.
Nova Y. Payton and Norm Lewis discussed her positive work ethic, her generosity towards others, and how it made them better. It was a testament to see the mark that she has left on the industry for forty-plus years.
The highlight of the night came, of course, when Vanessa herself spoke about what it was like being in the industry. She remarked at one point about the role of Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman about what it was like when she took the role in 1994 and what it’s like now, all of these years later, and the reason why she still does it was out of love for her craft.
She then graced the audience with a performance of “Children Will Listen” before the show wrapped for the evening.
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