On October 27th, Encompass New Opera Theatre hosted an unforgettable evening honoring Broadway legend Leslie Uggams at their Musical Salute Gala. MKDA’s Executive Vice President and Design Director, Daniel DeSiena, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, played a key role in organizing this special event as Gala Co-Chair. The evening featured performances by Broadway and cabaret stars, including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melba Moore, and Lee Roy Reams, paying tribute to Uggams’ illustrious 70-year career spanning Broadway, film, and television. Encompass expressed heartfelt gratitude to Daniel and MKDA for their generous support, which helped make the evening a success and raised essential funds for the theater’s productions and programs.

Encompass New Opera Theatre, founded in 1975 by Nancy Rhodes, Roger Cunningham, and renowned composer Virgil Thomson, has long been dedicated to creating, developing, and producing adventurous new works in music theater and contemporary opera. With a mission to nurture emerging composers and celebrate the breadth of musical expression, Encompass has staged over 70 full-scale operas and more than 165 staged readings of new works. Their Musical Salute Galas, which began in 2004, bring together talents across musical theater, opera, jazz, and cabaret, celebrating legends like Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Herman, John Kander, Alan Menken, Joel Grey, and Chita Rivera.

Beyond the spotlight, Encompass leads programs that foster social and environmental awareness through the arts. Their PARADIGM SHIFTS series celebrates voices from indigenous cultures and advocates for environmental and social justice. Earlier this year, Encompass produced UNHEARD VOICES: AN IMMIGRANT’S DREAM, a concert honoring America’s rich immigrant heritage through original music and inspiring performances. Another highlight was their tour of ANGEL OF THE AMAZON, which tells the story of Sister Dorothy Stang’s dedication to the Amazon and was performed for hundreds of students.