The annual fundraiser will take place March 14, 2016, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue).

Aibel said in a statement, "Kathleen Chalfant is one of those rare artists whose extraordinary gifts as an actress are matched by her remarkable humanity and service to the community. She has been a deeply cherished member of The Vineyard family, acting memorably in Vineyard productions through the years, and serving with great distinction on The Vineyard Board of Directors. We are indebted to her for her work as a passionate advocate for our company, and just as importantly, as a beloved friend. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor this very special person, who has contributed so mightily to the cultural and spiritual life of our city. We can't wait to celebrate her accomplishments!"

Garvey-Blackwell stated, "Sam Rudy has been a vital part of Vineyard Theatre for 25 years. He is what we call a good old-fashioned press agent, a true gentleman of the theatre. Sam is respected in the New York theatre community because of his work and his smarts, but he is beloved because of his heart. We are delighted to toast our press agent and dear friend Sam for all of his contributions to The Vineyard and the theatre community at large at our annual Gala this year along with the wonderful Kathleen Chalfant."

Tony nominee Chalfant made her Vineyard premiere in the 1983 production of Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, later appearing in The Party (based on three stories by Virginia Woolf and adapted by Ellen McLaughlin), Sybille Pearson’s True History and Real Adventures and Jenny Schwartz’s Somewhere Fun. In addition to the advocacy she has brought to the organization, The Vineyard honors Chalfant for her "contributions to the field and her generous philanthropy."

Rudy has spent 35 years in New York working as a publicist for countless shows on, Off- and Off Off-Broadway; 25 of those years have been spent representing Vineyard Theatre, where he has worked with such celebrated writers as Edward Albee, John Kander, Paula Vogel and Nicky Silver, on musicals and plays including The Vineyard's Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Three Tall Women and How I Learned to Drive, as well as Avenue Q (Tony Award). He is also the publicist of Cherry Lane Theatre, La MaMa and Ma-Yi Theater Company, and the Broadway musical Hamilton. The Vineyard’s Gala event will include a cocktail hour and auction, dinner and the performance. Tables are $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, and individual tickets are $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. Tickets can be purchased by emailing [email protected] or calling (212) 353-3366, ext. 227.