Speakers are scheduled to include Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello, actor Cameron Watson, actress Deborah Obenchain, playwright Nicky Silver, actress J. Smith-Cameron, Bill Sanders, and Harry Bouvy; that latter was Mr. Cunningham's partner of 14 years. Justin Brill will also perform William Finn's "Anytime," accompanied by Seth Rudetsky.
A founding member of Drama Dept. and The Vineyard Community of Artists, Mr. Cunnigham died June 20 at age 47 due to pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
The actor appeared this past April at the Philadelphia Theatre Company in Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo. On Broadway, he was seen in Love! Valour! Compassion! and in revivals of Design for Living and Tartuffe. His Off-Broadway credits included As Bees in Honey Drown, Music from a Sparkling Planet, Wintertime, New England and The Dear Boy. He also originated roles in three plays by Nicky Silver: Pterodactyls, The Eros Trilogy and Fit to be Tied.
Donations can be made in Mr. Cunningham's memory to The Actors Fund or for a bench in Central Park that will be dedicated to him; for the latter checks can be made payable to Central Parks Conservancy and mailed to Bill Sanders, c/o Civic Theatre, 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown, PA 18104.