Eric Michael Gillett was honored with the first annual ASA|Darrell Henline Award on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at NYC’s Chelsea Table + Stage. Board Member Keith Meritz present the award in front of a sold-out audience. On hand to speak and sing their praises of Eric Michael were Kelli Barrett, Aaron Lee Battle, Crystal Joy, Bonne Kramer, Adriane Lenox, Ben Moss, Steve Ross, Billy Shaw, Amy Spanger, Jarrod Spector, KT Sullivan, Andy Tighe, and Melanie Vaughan. Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara sent a heartfelt tribute via video from the set of The Gilded Age.

The evening also saw the announcement of the first annual ASA|Pomranz Performance Grants to Kathleen France (of New York and Texas), Alexis Fae Gach (of Los Angeles), and Tim Keller (of Los Angeles and Seattle). Craig Pomranz, who underwrites the grant, was on hand to make the announcement. For details, visit https://cabaretscenes.org/2022/09/26/2022-asapomranz-performance-grant-recipients/

ASA Executive Director Carolyn Montgomery made the intros. The band for the evening was led by music director/pianist Tracy Stark with Skip Ward on bass and David Silliman on drums.

Here are Helane Blumfield‘s photos, in order of appearance and with the titles of the songs performed, of the evening.