Alan Cumming Headlines WNET Group’s 2025 Annual NY Gala Amid Funding Cuts

NEW YORK, NY – Alan Cumming headlined the WNET Group’s 2025 Annual Gala on April 28, where conversations centered around Donald Trump’s recent executive order cutting federal funding for PBS and NPR stations.

The WNET Group, which operates PBS stations Thirteen and WLIW, NJ PBS, and Long Island’s WLIW-FM, faced concerns over these funding cuts during the event. WNET chairman James Attwood stressed the necessity for community support, stating, “We are in truly unprecedented and turbulent times… and we are relying on our individual supporters to help us face these new challenges.”

Attwood highlighted the importance of public media, emphasizing its commitment to delivering quality content that commercial media often overlooks. “We continue to serve our communities by bringing viewers the quality content that commercial media can’t, particularly the absolute best in the performing arts and trustworthy journalism,” he said.

Neal Shapiro, WNET’s president and CEO, spoke about the diversity of their programming, which includes nature documentaries and arts performances. “It’s especially true that we’re here to recognize the vital role that public media plays in the health of our democracy and the future of our country,” he added.

Hari Sreenivasan, host of Amanpour and Company, mentioned the unifying power of art, saying, “Art has the opportunity to bring us together and unite us, so that we can share and understand how people see the world in a different way.”

Cumming, a multi-award-winning performer and host of PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery, entertained the audience with songs from beloved Broadway shows such as Cabaret, Wild Party, Company, and Applause. He also spoke passionately about kindness in today’s climate and reflected on his immigration journey, stating, “I will always be an American.”

In a pre-gala interview, Cumming praised PBS for its commitment to quality storytelling, saying, “PBS is a symbol of what America should be.”

On April 28, it was also announced that WNET’s Great Performances would receive a special Tony Award for excellence in theater, recognizing over 50 years of bringing performing arts programming to PBS stations nationwide.

The WNET Group’s 2025 “Broadway and Beyond” lineup features programs like Great Performances and American Masters, showcasing acclaimed productions including Next to Normal, Yellow Face, Girl from the North Country, and Kiss Me, Kate. Through its channels and streaming platforms, WNET reaches over five million viewers each month.