Riverside Theater Celebrates Milestone

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY - In celebration of its 50th Anniversary and outstanding legacy of rich arts programming, The Riverside Theatre will host an evening program and rooftop gala reception—themed From Legacy to Promise—tonight at the historic Riverside Church.

Hosted by WNBC-TV’s DeMarco Morgan, the gala will honor: husband and wife recording duo Ashford & Simpson; renowned dancer/choreography Arthur Mitchell; dancer/choreographer and actress Carmen DeLavallade; and Obie Award-winning playwright/actor Daniel Beaty. Comedian Bill Cosby will be a special guest at the gala, which will also feature entertainment provided by Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin, Daniel Beaty and Ray Chew and his All-Star Band. Additionally, in tribute to both Arthur Mitchell and Carmen DeLavallade, a special dance work choreographed by Hope Boykin of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be performed at the gala.

Expected guests include: the star of Broadway’s Chicago, Brenda Braxton; U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel; Actress Cicely Tyson; Vice Council of South Africa Leon Naidoo; Actor Malik Yoba; Actor/Director Mario Van Peebles; Urban Johnson Commercial Development CEO Michael Johnson; Actress/Activist Ruby Dee and her son Guy Davis; Cup Temps CEO Ruth Clark; and Harlem Dance Theater’s Executive Director Virginia Johnson, among others.