After 44 years as executive director of New York's The Town Hall, Lawrence Zucker will step down from his leadership role at the end of the year.

Zucker will be succeeded by Ted Lambert as interim executive director. Lambert, a former member of Town Hall’s Board of Trustees, is the organization's current COO. 

Zucker came to Town Hall in 1978, joining Marvin Leffler, president of The Town Hall Foundation, the non-profit corporation that has run Town Hall since 1973. Together they renovated and revitalized the 1,500-seat venue.

Under Zucker’s stewardship, the hall emerged from a dark fiscal period to once again take its place among the city’s leading cultural institutions. He worked with major concert promoters and presenting organizations to bring top performers to Town Hall’s stage. He also established series that celebrated Broadway, cabaret, folk, classical, and world music.

Town Hall President Tom Wirtshafter says, “Larry has been the essence of Town Hall for more than four decades, helping to foster and curate more than 8,000 performances. While we couldn’t be happier for him and his wife, Anita, he will be sorely missed.” One of the backstage dressing rooms will be named in Zucker’s honor.

“I am proud of the work and what I accomplished over all these years, and I leave knowing that the organization that we built is and will be recognized, loved, and appreciated by everyone who works on and attends the programs. And especially by me,” adds Zucker.

“Working alongside Lawrence Zucker has been a privilege and a pleasure,” states Lambert. “The transfer of such a wealth of institutional knowledge is an invaluable part of the process, and I am eager to carry on Larry’s legacy while building upon his many successes as The Town Hall embarks on its second century.”