DO40 Celebrates 17 Years of Legacy Awards

Lips Restaurant | Monday, December 8, 2025

Dancers Over 40 celebrated its 17th Annual Legacy Awards and Holiday Dinner on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Lips Restaurant, honoring five extraordinary artists whose careers and contributions exemplify the spirit, longevity, and excellence of DO40.

The 2025 Legacy Award honorees—Carole Banninger, Diane Coupé, Andrew Jannetti, Diana Laurenson, and Jon Spano—were recognized alongside a special Legacy Award presented to former DO40 board member Kathy Seng-Gurland, honoring her more than three decades of dedication and service to the organization. The evening was hosted by celebrated journalist, theater critic, and nightlife columnist Michael Musto.

The celebration featured heartfelt tributes, guest speakers, and memorable performances. Sabel Scities (2024 Mx. Hell’s Kitchen) and Bootsie LeFaris (2022 Glam Award Performer of the Year) performed “Bosom Buddies” from Mame in honor of honoree Diane Coupé, recreating the iconic 1989 Tony Awards performance by Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur. That historic performance was choreographed by DO40 member Diana Baffa-Brill, who also choreographed the original Tony Awards number.Sabel Scities also performed “Big Spender” from Sweet Charity in tribute to Diana Laurenson, a renowned Fosse aficionado and recréateur.

Honorees were introduced and celebrated by speakers Karin Baker, Lillian Colon, Lauren Naslund, Bob Richard, and Jennifer Frankel, each offering personal reflections and tributes.

The audience included many past Legacy Award honorees and longtime supporters, among them Lori Tan Chinn, Mercedes Ellington, Linda Rose Iennaco, Virginia Seidel, Eileen Casey, Sharon Wendrow, Leni Anders, Loni Ackerman-Kennedy, Patti Mariano, Sasha Spielvogel, Joe Ahumada, Karin Baker, Francine Storey, Mary McCatty, Lawrence Leritz, and Jean Preece, as well as DO40 members Kristine Nevins, Carol Stevens, Darlene Larson, Greg Kayne, Ken Bloom, Patrick McCarthy, Sandy Nance, and many more.

The Legacy Awards are DO40’s largest—and most costly—annual event. As the organization moves confidently into its fourth decade as a nonprofit arts organization, continued support from members and friends is essential. As the late, great DO40 Advisory Board member Chita Rivera famously said, “We simply cannot do it alone.”

📸 Photo Gallery

For over 90 photos from the evening, visit the DO40 Legacy Awards Photo Gallery.

AGELESS DANCERS!

Our History. Our Legacy. Our Lives.