Contact: Sunny Mindel/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958
Wally Rubin, Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting
(212) 489-6710 Ext. 224
Also in attendance were: Patricia Reed Scott, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting; and actors Brian Dennehy, Jason Robards and Kathleen Turner.
"This year we had another great theatre season in New York City, the Theatre Capital of the World," Mayor Giuliani said. "With more than 11 million people attending Broadway productions alone, and ticket receipts approaching a record-shattering $600 million dollars, we are reminded of the important role that theatre plays in the social, cultural and economic life of our City.
"We are proud of all the artists and theatre professionals, both on and off Broadway, in the profit and not-for-profit sectors, who contributed to this great season. We are especially excited to see three of America's greatest playwrights represented on Broadway this season with award-winning new productions: Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh, and Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales. As pleased as we are that Broadway is considered the haven for the world's great musicals, the resurgence of audience support for dramatic plays on Broadway and off Broadway has been a delightful surprise," the Mayor concluded.
Commissioner Scott said, "As we celebrate the lives and careers three of this century's greatest American playwrights, the New York theatre is in a buoyant upswing. We eagerly look forward to the 21st Century's talented newcomers, who will always be at home in New York."
This year's Salute to the Theatre Reception is sponsored by the generous support of Continental Airlines and the Nederlander Organization.