Rennie Harris, Peter Martins, and Chita Rivera will be honored with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre at the Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala, October 27. The event will be hosted by the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and benefit the company's programs.

Titled "A Night in Verona," the event is inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and honors artists who have reinterpreted the play in their work. Harris, Founder of Rennie Harris Puremovement, choreographed Rome and Jewels; Martins, Ballet Master in Chief of the New York City Ballet choreographed Romeo and Juliet; and Rivera played Anita in the original Broadway cast of West Side Story.

The evening will include appearances by the New York City Ballet, Rennie Harris Puremovement, an excerpt from Chita Rivera's Broadway show The Dancer's Life, soprano Elizabeth Futral, and the actors of the Shakespeare Theatre Company including Pat Carroll. In addition, the Harman Family Foundation will receive the Sidney Harman Award for Philanthropy in the Arts.

Individual tickets and tables to the gala range from $1,000 to $50,000. For more information or to make reservations, call 202-547-3230 ext. 2330.