Culture Project is set to hold a commemorative gala and naming ceremony for its newly christened Lynn Redgrave Theater (formerly known as 45 Bleecker Street) on Monday June 3 at Stage 48 in honor of the late Ms. Redgrave.
Vanessa Redgrave, Liam Neeson and Ms. Redgrave’s three children Annabel Clark, Ben Clark and Pema Clark serve as Honorary Chairs of the Gala, at which the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) will also be honored for its dedication to advancing and protecting human rights. Executive Director of the CCR, Vincent Warren, and CCR President Emeritus Michael Ratner will accept the award on behalf of the organization, which has been a long-time collaborator with Culture Project.
Kyra Sedgwick, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning star of stage, screen and television, will host the evening for the theatre that shines an artistic spotlight on human rights issues, where both she and Ms. Redgrave performed in the New York production of The Exonerated.
“Culture Project plays such a vital role in drawing people’s attention to issues that often go unchallenged by those without a voice so this Gala marks quite an emotional return to the proverbial boards that Lynn and I trod a decade ago,” Ms. Sedgwick says. “Lynn was a professional inspiration so, to be opening a theater named for her and reflective of her wonderful ability to make a difference in people’s lives through performance, is a touching and humbling privilege.”
“In celebrating Lynn Redgrave’s legacy of artistic excellence married with a bold human rights advocacy, we are delighted to have Kyra hosting this Gala,” says Allan Buchman, Founder and Artistic Director of Culture Project. “She broke ground here alongside Lynn in a production that helped raise awareness of the injustices faced by death row inmates across America, and returns now to help us affirm the newly named theater’s commitment to social justice.”
“The Lynn Redgrave Theater stands for everything it’s namesake held dear: playwriting, education and the joy of acting infused with a very clear sense of integrity and fairness,” Mr. Buchman continued.
“CCR is the ideal ally in our efforts as we challenge injustice in our quest for a more humane civil society,” Mr. Buchman added. “They are at the forefront of every battle that defines who we are as a nation whether it is Guantanamo torture stop and frisk illegal surveillance or government abuse of power. They have our collective back as a people they stand out because they stand up for what they stand for. They have played a crucial role in the development of our signature Blueprint for accountability series and been the inspiration behind the choices of many of our plays.”
Sisters Lynn and Vanessa performed together at Lynn’s last Culture Project outing in 2007 with their late brother Corin Redgrave and his daughter Jemma, in A Question of Impeachment, a series of evenings exploring the case for the impeachment of former President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
In addition to appearing as Sonia “Sunny” Jacobs in the original run of The Exonerated, Lynn Redgrave’s association with Culture Project was instrumental in the development of her third play, Nightingale, for which a number of developmental public readings of the play were presented at the theater.
Jillian Crane Kahn and Alfred Kahn are Chairs of the Gala. In addition to Allan Buchman, the Benefit Committee includes Ibrahim AlHusseini, Jill Brooke, Steven Donziger & Laura Miller, Robert Dunn, Jodie Evans, James Grant, Eva & Yoel Haller, Steve & Ruth Hendel, Lucy Jarvis, Lauren Embrey, Marc Kaplan, Katherine Keating, Rick Miramontez, Beatrix Ost & Ludwig Kuttner, Rosemary Pritzker, Michael Ratner, Cornelia Ravenal & Mikael Sodersten, Nicole Reeber, Bill Robinson, Melissa Spohler, Sandy Tabatznik, Vince Warren, Monica Winsor & Joshua Mailman, and Tom Wirtshafter.
Culture Project is dedicated to addressing critical human rights issues by shining an artistic spotlight on injustice. By fostering innovative collaboration between human rights organizations and artists, it aims to inspire and impact public dialogue, encouraging democratic participation in the most urgent matters of our time. Founded by Allan Buchman in 1996, Culture Project has premiered celebrated shows including The Exonerated, Sarah Jones’ Bridge & Tunnel, Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom, Lawrence Wright’s My Trip To Al-Qaeda, Tings Dey Happen, the Lucille Lortel Award-winning world premiere of George Packer’s Betrayed, and Temple University’s acclaimed production of In Conflict. Culture Project also produced “Breaking the Silence, Beating the Drum”, a groundbreaking concert at the United Nations to commemorate the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. In 2012, Culture Project celebrated its return to the theaters at 45 Bleecker Street. Since then, productions have included James X, directed by Gabriel Byrne, the revival of Rinde Eckert’s acclaimed And God Created Great Whales, Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto, along with the 10th anniversary remount of The Exonerated. Find out more here.
