Broadway legend Bernadette Peters was honored with the Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award by the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) at the annual star-studded Thespians Go Hollywood gala on Monday, November 18, at The Avalon in Hollywood, California. More than 300 people were on hand to help raise more than $180,000 that will support ETF’s national theatre education programs for schools in need.
Hosted by multi-talented Nia Vardalos, the evening’s performers and presenters included Rachel Bloom, Merle Dandridge, Megan Hilty, Cheyenne Jackson, Jennifer Kumiyama, Matthew Morrison, Juan Pablo Di Pace, and Marissa Jaret Winokur.
In accepting her award Peters addressed the students on stage with her saying, “The only job that young people have is to stay open, open to your teachers and your inspiration.” She thanked everyone with a moving rendition of one of her signature pieces, “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods.
The original Hairspray duo, Matthew Morrison and Marissa Jaret Winokur, did the honors of presenting the ETF Entertainment Industry Award to Mark Kaufman, Executive Vice President for Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, in recognition of their commitment to ETF’s mission and vision of shaping lives by financially supporting school theatre, making theatre more accessible, as well as building the national audience through high standards in theatrical production.