Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
The Mayor was joined by Commissioner Patricia Reed-Scott from the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting; League of American Theaters & Producers Executive Director Jed Bernstein; Theater Development Fund Executive Director Jack Goldstein; American Theatre Wing President Isabelle Stevenson; and New York/Connecticut Bell Atlantic Group President Paul Crotty.
"As we look forward to the 'Tony Awards' next week, this is a great opportunity to recognize the enormous contribution of the theater community to New York City," Mayor Giuliani said. "With more than 11 million theatergoers, the 1997-1998 Broadway season broke all records. It is great to see that Broadway is stronger than ever, with a ten percent increase in box office receipts from last season, making this the highest grossing season ever.
"All around the new 42nd Street and Times Square this year, we have been taking tremendous strides forward as a result of sensible cooperation between private industry and the City," the Mayor continued. "We have seen it happen in large developments - Disney's New Amsterdam Theater, the New Victory Theater, The Ford Center for the Performing Arts are three examples.
"All these new theaters recall the glorious history of this part of Midtown Manhattan - from the great architecture to the neon lights. They also symbolize the dawn of a new revitalized Time Square area that is, once again, a safe, clean, and welcoming place for families and their children," the Mayor concluded.
Food and beverages for the Gracie Mansion reception were provided by some of New York City's finest restaurants and food distributors, including Alouette, American Park at the Battery, Aria, Cadbury Beverages, Fanny's Fat Free Foods, Fred's at Barneys New York, French Roast Cafe, L'Express Gallagher's, Illy Cafe, KPNY, Match Catering, Maya, Monzu, Oyster Bar, Park View at the Boathouse, Patsy's Pizza, Payard, Pepsi, Primavera, Shaffer City Oyster Bar & Grill, The 14th Wall Street Restaurant, The Garrick, The Ginger Man, Trois Jean, and Yorkville Brewery.