Bernadette Peters is set to headline the 2026 New 42 Gala at The Plaza Hotel on June 1, joining a star-studded Broadway celebration marking 35 years of New 42’s work supporting theater, emerging artists and youth arts programs across New York City.
The annual gala, one of Broadway’s major fundraising and cultural events, will also feature performances and appearances by Cheyenne Jackson and acclaimed director-choreographer Warren Carlyle, who serves as artistic director for the evening.
The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and performances at 7 p.m. inside the historic Manhattan venue located along Fifth Avenue.
Broadway Icons Gather for New 42’s 35th Anniversary
The gala celebrates the 35-year legacy of New 42, a nonprofit organization focused on developing theatrical experiences, arts education and artist mentorship programs in Times Square and across New York City.
Peters, widely recognized for her roles in productions including Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George, said she was honored to participate in the event and praised the organization’s work in expanding access to live theater.
“I believe that everyone should have the chance to experience the magic of live theater,” Peters said in a statement.
André De Shields Among Honorees
The evening will also honor several major figures from the theater community.
André De Shields will receive the New 42 Ovation Award recognizing his decades-long Broadway career and influence on theater.
Additional honorees include:
- Mary Rose Lloyd receiving the New Victory Arts Award
- Sarah Long receiving the Marian Heiskell Award
The organization said the gala is intended to celebrate both the institution’s history and the individuals who helped shape its impact over the past three decades.
Funds Support Theater and Youth Programs
According to organizers, proceeds from the event will support programs connected to:
- The New Victory Theater
- New 42 Studios
- Youth workforce development initiatives
- Artist mentorship programs
- Community engagement and arts education efforts
The gala also coincides with the 25th anniversary of New 42 Studios and the 30th anniversary of the New Victory Theater.
Broadway Community Continues Strong Post-Pandemic Recovery
The event arrives during a period of renewed momentum for Broadway and live performance venues, with New York theater attendance and tourism continuing to rebound after years of pandemic-related disruption.
Industry observers say major gala events such as New 42’s annual celebration are increasingly becoming key fundraising and networking moments for the performing arts sector.
With Peters, Jackson and several Broadway veterans attached to the program, organizers expect the 2026 gala to become one of the theater industry’s most closely watched cultural events of the summer season.
