New York City Center Gala celebrates more than 80 years of the arts

New York City Center (131 W. 55th Street) recently held its annual gala, and it was magnificent. The production for the evening was "Ragtime," and there was a fantastic energy and joy in the air as the packed theater enjoyed the amazing singing, dancing, and acting performances of a formidable cast, lead by Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis .

This beloved musical, with an inspiring book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and direction by Lear deBessonethad the auditorium on its feet. People were screaming, cheering, applauding, and enjoying themselves.

After the performance, the party was on at the Ziegfeld Ballroom (W. 54th Street). Michael S. Rosenberg, president & CEO, addressed the packed room to talk about the accomplishments of New York City Center and thank the organization's supporters.

The atmosphere in the ballroom was electric as celebrities and patrons of the New York City Center abounded. The cast of "Ragtime" was also in the house. For this celebration of the center's 80-plus years of bringing theatrical and dance offerings to the New York community at reasonable prices, two individuals were honored: Denise Littlefield Sobel, a philanthropist and longtime supporter; and Brian Stokes Mitchell, the original Colehouse Walker, Jr. and Tony Award-winning actor who has performed in four productions at the Center.

Sofia Negron photos

It was an evening full of inspiration and good vibrations. Sobel, who has provided financial support to New York City Center for some time, was the subject of a video tribute showcasing her generosity. She has done so much and has taken on huge projects; City Center staff and creatives offered heartfelt praises.

Before Mitchell received his award, I asked him what he thought of Joshua Henry's performance in "his" role. "I love Joshua," Mitchell said. "It's great seeing Coalhouse in somebody else's voice and body and hands. And Josh is a friend — we did 'Shuffle Along' together. I've seen him in so many things. It just excites me to see him and hear his voice — he's really a very wonderful performer, so I was really happy to see him."

Considering how he felt to be honored at the City Center gala, he said, "It's a mixed feeling, I feel honored and happy, but I'm also a little embarrassed at these kinds of things. I like being in the show and performing, but to be honored like this and to make a speech — I get very anxious about it. But it's a room full of friends and I've done so many performances here at City Center that I feel very comfortable, and I'm looking forward to it."

Brian Stokes Mitchell speaks about Joshua Henry's performance in "Ragtime" (Linda Armstrong video)

Flaherty and Ahrens presented Mitchell with his honor after they shared some stories about him and the journey they shared when it came to "Ragtime," since he was with them from the beginning of the journey and originated the role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. "Stokes was our only Coalhouse from the very first reading, through all of the drafts," Flaherty recalled. "We had found our Coalhouse and we weren't going to let him go through the many drafts, workshops, going to Toronto to Broadway. No one deserves the New York City Center Award for Artistic Excellence more than Brian."

Ahrens talked about Mitchell's warm heart — all the things they learned about him as a person and friend over the years — and said that Mitchell inspired them to become better writers. "He helped make 'Ragtime' a better show," Ahrens said.

Mitchell went to the podium to a standing ovation and cheers from the packed room. He thanked Flaherty and Ahrens for their songs. "I feel blessed to have your music, lyrics, and humanity sing in me and others as well ... Some of us have had the blessing of feeling their music and lyrics throughout your body [and] go[ing] out into the audience; they take that in and digest and throw it back. I'm just so grateful to you for introducing me tonight and presenting to me. I'm also grateful to City Center — I love this recognition from you. Congratulations on lighting up the stage for over 80 years. I've had the pleasure of being in four productions here. I'm grateful to my co-honorary Denise Littlefield Sobel for all she has done for City Center. She has done a lot of the heavy lifting [through her generosity]. I speak for myself and any actor who has graced that stage. I thank the staff of City Center and especially Lear deBessonet, a brilliant director."

He thanked the past cast members of "Ragtime" who were in the audience, members of the original cast who were in the audience, his wife Allison, and their son Ellington. He said "Three Summers of Lincoln" is his next work and will be Broadway-bound, and said that if someone asked him what is the most magical show he has done in his life, he would respond, "Without hesitation or question, the answer would be 'Ragtime.'

"I offer my bravo, bravo, bravo to everyone in this cast, the crew, the creatives, all the folks backstage and front of house ... It is in the hands of an incomparable cast. And my friend Josh — what a pleasure it is to see his Coalhouse with such heart, passion, and that beautiful voice that you have given him."

Getting a bit serious, Mitchell said, "We are in troubled times, and in troubled times, 'Ragtime' is the show we need the most. The challenges that we faced as a country during Coalhouse's era, the 1900s and [from] when E. L. Doctorow wrote the novel to 2024 — we're still facing those challenges. Discord, racism, and xenophobia still exist and threaten to take down this country ... The hope is that we exercise the right to vote that our forefathers and foremothers fought so hard to secure ... We need to gather in a three-dimensional space where worlds are created ... A building I think of as a temple of collaboration where people of different races, religious beliefs, and backgrounds ... work together for a common goal."

For more info about the evening and upcoming productions, visit www.nycitycenter.org.