SPEAKER: TOM VIOLA | ENTERTAINER: KAREN MASON

$52 admission includes a three-course lunch payable at the door by cash or check only

Tom Viola is the former executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the philanthropic heart of Broadway and one of the nation’s leading industry-based nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. During Viola’s 36-year tenure, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provided more than $300 million for lifesaving medication, health care, nutritious meals, emergency assistance and more for people living with HIV/AIDS and other critical health issues. Viola led the organization’s growth into the single largest supporter of the Entertainment Community Fund, helping those in the performing arts and entertainment. His leadership helped establish the Fund’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Friedman Health Center, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and The Dancers’ Resource, as well as the expansion of the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center; Senior Services; Addiction and Recovery Services and more. In 2024, Broadway Cares awarded $6.5 million, bringing its support of the Fund since 1988 to $142 million. Viola also championed the strategic expansion of Broadway Cares’ National Grants Program, which now annually awards grants to 450 social service organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Those grants reach food banks, health clinics, meal delivery programs, supportive housing residences, emergency financial assistance programs and more. In 2024, the National Grants Program provided more than $7.5 million to these agencies, awarding an additional $162 million since 1988. In 2010, Viola was recognized by the Tony Awards with the Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre for “the leadership, advocacy and creativity through which he has mobilized the theater community’s response to AIDS and other critical health issues” as executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

KAREN MASON. Most recently played Mrs. Marsh on Ryan Murphy’s “HALSTON” on Netflix. Last seen as “Madame Giry” in the North American Premier of LOVE NEVER DIES (Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera). On Broadway, starred as The Queen of Hearts in “Wonderland,”
& originated the role of Tanya in “Mamma Mia!”(2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress). Also, Norma Desmond
in ALW’s “Sunset Boulevard,” on Broadway
and Los Angeles; Velma von Tussel, (Broadway company of “Hairspray”); “Monotony” singer, Mazeppa (“Jerome Robbins’ Broadway”). On tour and regional, she starred in Chasing Rainbows (The PaperMill Playhouse) A Christmas Story as Miss Shields; White Christmas, (St. Louis Muni Opera); Gypsy (Sundance Theatre & Muni); Company (Huntington Theatre). Off-Broadway, she won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in “And The World Goes ‘Round”. She is a 14-time MAC Award winner, and was the recipient of the 2019 MAC Lifetime Achievement Award, and 3 Bistro Awards. Her 8 albums include the single, “It’s About Time,” written by Paul Rolnick and Shelly Markham; Let The Music Play; Right Here/ Right Now, The Sweetest of Nights, When The Sun Comes Out, Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!, Better Days (featuring the 1998 Emmy Award-winning song “Hold Me”); and Not So Simply Broadway. Also, Wonderland (original cast); Jeffrey; Wonderful Town & the cast album of And The World Goes Round . www.karenmason.com