Held at the Pierre Hotel, the musical tribute, inspired by Jones' career in theatre, film and television, is directed by .
Performers include , , Anna Chlumsky, , , Julie Halston, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, , , Brian Stokes Mitchell, , Estelle Parsons, , Christopher Sieber, Richard Thomas, John Douglas Thompson, Dylan Walsh, , Susyn Waldman, Alton Fitzgerald White and the Broadway casts of You Can鈥檛 Take It With You and Jersey Boys.
Special guests include , Robert and Michelle King, Mark Saks, Judith Light, Michael Mayer, Gretchen M. Michelfeld, Patina Miller, Diane Paulus and David Rockwell.
Jones was one of the first African-American actors to appear regularly in daytime soap operas (playing a doctor in both "The Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns"), and made his film debut in 1964 in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove." In 1969 Jones won a Tony Award for his performance as boxer Jack Johnson in (which also garnered him an Oscar nomination for the 1970 film adaptation). His stage work also includes , , , and .
His film credits include "Matewan," "Field of Dreams" and "Cry, the Beloved Country" and voice work in "Star Wars" and "The Lion King." The Drama League will also recognize the "The Good Wife" as its 2015 Arts Ally in recognition of executive producers Robert and Michelle King and casting director Mark Saks.
Saks will accept the recognition from Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, currently starring in the revival of and as a series regular on "The Good Wife."
Previous honorees include Neil Patrick Harris, , , , , , , , Rosie O鈥橠onnell and .
The event is produced by Roger T. Danforth and Trevor Tamashiro.
The Pierre Hotel is located at 2 East 61st Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or by visiting .
