Nick Scandalios, EVP of the Nederlander Organization, will be honored by Family Equality Council and commemorated by former Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler
NEW YORK, April 28, 2016 — Today Family Equality Council announces several attendees for its 11th annual Night at the Pier gala at New York’s Pier 60 on May 9. Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan (producers of Broadway’s “On Your Feet!”), Sara Bareilles (composer and lyricist of Broadway’s “Waitress”), Jessie Mueller (star of “Waitress”), plus Ana Villafañe, Josh Segarra and Andréa Burns and the rest of the cast of “On Your Feet!” will be among those presenting and performing at the event celebrating the national advocacy group, which represents the country’s 3 million LGBTQ parents and their 6 million children.
Nick Scandalios, Executive Vice President and a 28-year veteran of the NYC-based Nederlander Organization, will be honored that night. The immediate past chair of the Board of Family Equality Council and the chair of several past Night at the Pier events — not to mention a proud dad of twins Kate & Luke and husband of Ric Swezey — Scandalios will be recognized for his devotion to the organization by former Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler. Says Scandalios, “It’s been richly rewarding to lead Family Equality Council in a variety of capacities over the last nine years. I’m humbled to receive this honor from an organization at the forefront of change for LGBTQ-headed families — and indeed, all families.”
Says Brent Wright, Interim Co-Executive Director and Director of Programs at Family Equality Council, “Nick is a visionary who has demonstrated again and again his deep commitment to our cause, and the team is so pleased to finally be able to pay tribute to him in this fashion.” Adds Emily Hecht-McGowan, Interim Co-Executive Director and Director of Public Policy at Family Equality Council, “We feel so fortunate we’ll have Gloria, Emilio, Sara, Jessie and Ana with us that night to celebrate both Nick and LGBTQ parents across the country. These artists have long supported our families and their fight for equality.”
Family Equality Council will also hold a silent/online auction — opening May 2 and going through the night of the event — that will include family vacations, travel packages, Broadway experiences, show tickets and one ultra-fabulous surprise.
Filmmaker Sharon Shattuck will receive the 2016 Hostetter-Habib Family Award for her commitment to advocating for equality as a member of Family Equality Council’s Outspoken Generation program, as well as her professional work, which includes her feature film debut, “From This Day Forward,” a moving portrayal of growing up with a transgender parent.
The event is chaired by three LGBTQ parents: Bruce Cohen, Primavera Salvá, and Brian Sheerin. The event’s Honorary Chairs include Gloria & Emilio Estefan, John Gore, James M. Nederlander, James L. Nederlander, Phil Smith, Daryl Roth, Jordan Roth, and Bob Wankel. Nearly 100 others serve on the evening’s Host Committee.
Past Night at the Pier honorees have included filmmaker Lee Daniels, lawyer Roberta Kaplan, country music star Chely Wright and her wife Lauren Blitzer-Wright, actor Dan Bucatinsky, and the Broadway show “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” Past special guests have included Clay Aiken, Cyndi Lauper, Darren Criss, Montego Glover, Idina Menzel, Melissa Etheridge and Rosie O’Donnell.
The 2016 event is on track to be Family Equality Council’s most successful NYC gala in its history.
Diamond-level sponsor: Nederlander Organization
Gold-level sponsors: Broadway.com/Broadway Across America, the McGill-Caiola Family, Daryl & Steven Roth & Family, Toys ‘R’ Us
Silver-level sponsors: Affinia Hotel Collection, Christopher Street Financial, High10 Media, The Shubert Organization and Target
Bronze-level sponsors: Catherine Adler, Heather & Felix Baker, Katia Bouazza & Primavera Salvá, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Broadway League, Valerie & Jay Brown, City National Bank, Disney Theatrical Productions, Eyebobs, Foresight Theatrical/Grove Entertainment, MetLife, Signature Bank, Iris Smith & Once Upon a Time Productions, The Stahl Organization, and Barry & Fran Weissler
For tickets, tables and sponsorships at the May 9 gala, visit www.familyequality.org/pier or contact:
Ian Patrick
Deputy Director, Events, Family Equality Council
ipatrick@familyequality.org
646-982-1900
For red carpet requests and interview requests at the May 9 gala, contact:
Anne Muscarella, High10 Media
anne@high10media.com
Caitlin Frost, High10 Media
Caitlin.frost@high10media.com
For press inquiries about Family Equality Council, contact:
Bradley Jacobs
Media Manager, Family Equality Council
bjacobs@familyequality.org
917-324-8771
SOCIAL MEDIA:
facebook.com/familyequality
@Family_Equality
#NightAtThePier