Have You Met Sir Cameron? York Gala Honors Mackintosh

At long last, someone is taking a moment to recognize Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s contribution to the theater. The mildly successful British producer (Cats, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, everything else) will be honored by the York Theater Company on June 3 with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater. The ceremony will be held at the Alliance Française on 59th Street, with dinner to follow at fancy Fred’s at Barneys; those who attend the swank benefit gala (ticket prices start at $150) will enjoy performances by Liz Callaway, Christine Ebersole, The Producers‘ star Brad Oscar, and a host of others.

This will be the 13th year that the York has bestowed the Hammerstein award. The company itself, which specializes in resurrecting neglected musicals and producing new ones, has been around for 33 years. Mackintosh, who has been around for 56 years, has spent most of that time producing shows in his native England (where his efforts won him knighthood) and on our shores; his most recent Broadway production is Oklahoma!, currently doin’ fine at the Gershwin Theatre. Mackintosh made his Main Stem debut with Side by Side by Sondheim in 1976, so it’s fitting that Stephen Sondheim is honorary chair of the York benefit in his honor. Those interested in tickets should call the York at 212-935-5824, extension 21.