Betty Buckley received the 2023 American Songbook Association Lifetime Achievement Award at its star-studded Gala on October 2, 2023 at NYC’s Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center.
Stephen Schwartz presented the award to Betty. Also that night, Seth Rudetsky received the 2023 Bill Sensenbrenner Dream Maker Award, presented by Christine Pedi. Seth served as host for the evening, with ASA Executive Director Carolyn Montgomery announcing the performers on hand to sing Betty’s praises.

Betty Buckley
Photo: James Gavin

Stephen Schwartz and Betty
Photo: James Gavin

Betty Buckley
Photo: James Gavin

Jason Robert Brown and Betty
Photo: James Gavin

Bryan Batt and Betty
Photos: Conor Weiss

Sandra Bernhard (Photo: James Gavin) and Betty (Photo: Conor Weiss)

Sharon Catherine Brown and Betty
Photos: Conor Weiss

Jason Robert Brown
Photo: James Gavin

Ellen Burstyn (Photo: Conor Weiss) and Betty (Photo: James Gavin)

Mario Cantone
Photo: Conor Weiss

Carolee Carmello (Photo: James Gavin) and Betty (Photo: Conor Weiss)

Veanne Cox and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Elizabeth Davis and Betty
Photo: Conor Weiss

Paul Hecht
Photos: James Gavin

Ian Herman
Photo: James Gavin

Rupert Holmes (Photo: James Gavin) and Betty (Photo: Conor Weiss)

Christian Jacob and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Marsha Mason and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Howard McGillin and Betty
Photos: Betty Buckley

Bonnie Milligan and Betty
Photos: Conor Weiss

Carolyn Montgomery, Executive Director of the American Songbook Association
Photo: Conor Weiss

Jessie Mueller and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Orfeh
Photo: James Gavin

Ken Page and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Christine Pedi
Photo: Conor Weiss

Kurt Peterson and Betty
Photos: Conor Weiss

Katrina Rose and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Seth Rudetsky
Photo: Conor Weiss

Seth Rudetsky, recipient of the Bill Sensenbrenner Dream Maker Award
and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: Conor Weiss

Scott Schwartz and Betty
Photos; Conor Weiss

Stephen Schwartz
Photo: James Gavin

Jennifer Simard and Betty
Photos: James Gavin

Michael Wilson
Photo: James Gavin

Frank Dain, Wendy Scherl (Gala Chair), Betty, and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: Conor Weiss

Ken Page, Betty, Bill Boggs
Photo: Conor Weiss

Rupert Holmes, Betty, Howard McGillin
Photo: James Gavin

Dan Fortune (ASA press rep) and Betty
Photo: James Gavin

Ellen Burstyn, Betty, Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: Conor Weiss

Todd Sussman (who interviewed Betty for our September/October 2023 issue) and Betty
Photo: Conor Weiss

Bill Sharpe and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: James Gavin

Gerrilyn Sohn and Ellen Auwarter (Gala Committee Members)
Photo: Conor Weiss

Michael Kirk Lane (Stage Manager) and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: James Gavin

Jamie deRoy
Photo: Conor Weiss

Scott Schwarz and Stephen Schwartz
Photo: Conor Weiss

Eli Forant and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: Conor Weiss

James Gavin
Photo: Conor Weiss

Emily Jones (Grant Writing Comittee) and Carolyn Montgomery
Photo: Conor Weiss

Dianne Trinkaus, Eli Forant, Jeanne MacDonald
Photo: Conor Weiss

Michael Stever (Videographer)
Photo: James Gavin