CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE FOUNDATION

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18th ANNUAL MAGICAL EVENING
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Story By: Marcy Macdonald
Photos By: Ann Watt
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www.christopherreeve.org
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Tomazcek Bednarek And Rita Cosby

Will Reeve With Meryl Streep, Glenn Close And Matthew Reeve

Molly Simms And Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr

Kathleen Turner With David Blaine, Broadway Veteran

Jimmy Nederlander And Margo MacNabb

Most of Broadway was dark Monday night, but not the Marriott Marquis where James Nederlander introduced scenes from Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' at the 18th annual Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation's 'Magical Evening." The applause for Meryl Streep's champagne toast was dwarfed by that for wheelchair-bound artist, Chuck Close, when he announced that the change in Presidential administration would re-launch stem cell research. Her co-chairs, Francine LeFrak, Glenn Close and special guests Matthew, Alexandra and Will Reeve, welcomed Lipstick Jungle's Lindsay Price, Mary Alice Stephenson, Moll Simms, Gossip Girl Jessica Szohr, Beth Stern, Kathleen Turner, Rita Cosby, Frances Fisher, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, impresario Mart Richards, designer Gilles Mendel, Maggie Rizer, Kim Alexis, Miss Teen USA Stevi Perry, top cop Ray Kelly, the former Miss America, Kate Shindle (who sang the national anthem), the Reverend Timothy Wright and the disappearing David Blaine to the New York Rangers who were also honored at the fundraiser. The proceeds from the gala (which now amount to something in the realm of $8 million) will benefit the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis. A portion of the proceeds from “White Christmas” -- which opens at the Marquis Theatre on November 23rd -- will be donated to the cause.

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Beth Stern

Christopher Reeves Mom Barbara Johnson