Stand Up for Heroes is nearly ready to run.
The night of “hope, healing and laughter” — presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and New York Comedy Festival — is set to take place at the David Geffen Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 9.
It will be a milestone night as the show rolls out a 20th anniversary installment with a special program to match. Organizers have booked musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, The Resilient and Alex Warren to headline a program that also will feature comedy sets from Josh Johnson, Hasan Minhaj and Jon Stewart. Also receiving some shine in the night’s spotlight will be a tribute to the people behind 20 years of onstage stories at the center of each show.
“Twenty years ago we put together Stand Up for Heroes with a simple idea: bring people together with laughter and music in honor of those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent and foundation co-founder. “When we started this way back in 2007 we thought it would just be a one-time concert. But it’s become one of the most meaningful nights of the year. Think about that! Right there in the theater veterans and service members share the spotlight with unforgettable tributes by world-class performers. Those who come to the show will ensure that men and women serving today will not be left behind tomorrow.”
“For 20 years, we have brought together the extraordinary worlds of comedy, music and the military community for one unforgettable night to honor those who have sacrificed so much,” said Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival. “Stand Up for Heroes began with an idea we developed with Bob and Lee Woodruff, and what started as a single night has grown into a powerful and enduring tradition.”
Added Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation: “No matter what is going on in the world, we remain a reliable backbone of support for our veterans and the military families and caregivers who make service possible. It’s our job now to chart that same steady course for the next generation of American heroes. Nights like this renew my hope in our country’s future and our ability to live up to the promise Bob made walking out of Bethesda Naval Hospital 20 years ago.”
Tickets are on sale now. The New York Comedy Festival runs Nov. 6-15.
Since the inaugural show in 2007, Stand Up for Heroes has raised $117 million for veterans, military families and caregivers. Over the years, it has hosted the likes of Stephen Colbert, Sheryl Crow, Jim Gaffigan, Shane Gillis, Whoopi Goldberg, Norah Jones, the Lumineers, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, Conan O’Brien, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams.
This year’s event will be supported by Bread Financial with additional support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Navy Federal Credit Union, Car Donation Foundation, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, HSBC, Citi, Barclays, BNP Paribas, DIRECTV, EMD Serono, the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation, the Ann G. and James B. Ritchey Foundation, Walt Disney Company, Ernst & Young LLP, Moody’s, National Hockey League, Man US Charitable Foundation, Assured Guaranty, CME Group, Mastercard, TD Securities, AmeriVet Securities, DTCC, Napier Park, Northmarq, Skadden, Sonepar and Boies Schiller Flexner.
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