NEW YORK,NY(SMI-ARTS, 06.20.19)-The Lincoln Center for The Perfoming Arts--commemorated its 2019 Annual American Songbook Gala this evening (Wednesday, June 19), honoring renowned American composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim for his greatest contributions over half-century to the musical theatre at The Alice Tully Hall, Star Theater, Adriene Arsht Stag,  Lincoln Center in New York City.

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The American Songbook Gala is a benefit event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of the popular American songwriter from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Spanning all styles and genres from Tin Pam Alley and Broadway to the eclecticism of today's songwriter working in pop, cabaret , rock, folk and country. American Songbook traces the history and charts the course  of the American song from its past and current forms to its future  direction.

All Proceeds from the gala benefit  is used to support the American Songbook series and Lincoln Center’s other performance festivals, as well as its educational and community initiatives.

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 The notable attendees were: The Katherine Farley; Gala Co-Chairs Adrienne Arsht, Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller, Bryan Lourd and Bruce Bozzi; Michael Bloomber (Former NYC Mayor & CEO of Bloomberg L.P.), Andy Cohen( Radio & Tv Host), Zac Posen (US Fashion Designer), Jane Rosenthal (Co-Owner of Tribeca Film Festival), Jerry Speyer, Steve Swartz (Founder of Hearst Magazine), Henry Tims (LCPA's President), Damian Woetzel (President of The Julliard School), Henry Kravis (CEO of KKR), Joseph Y. Bae(Co-President & Co-COO of KKR), Laurie Tisch, Clive Davis, Diane Sawyer(Tv Journalist) and others... ​

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Stephen Sondheim is one of the most prolific and celebrated composers of the twentieth century.Sondheim accolades includes one Academy Award, 8 Tony Awards, 8 Grammy's awards , a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 from former president Barack OBama. He first gained wide acclaim as the lyricist for Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story and Gypsy, then established himself as a composer of the highest merit with shows including Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, and Assassins. Stephen’s unique, distinctive voice as both lyricist and composer has changed the direction of American musical history.

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