A lively Broadway crowd stepped out at the NYC & Company Foundation’s “Leadership in Tourism” Award Dinner at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, the Big Apple’s latest hotel and tourist attraction in the newly opened Time Warner Center. The annual post-9/11 awards recognize organizations and individuals whose commitment to the City’s tourism industry have helped strengthen and rebuild New York.

WCBS-TV anchor Ernie Anastos hosted the star-studded ceremony, which honored theatrical producer Jimmy Nederlander Jr.; the National Football League, accepted by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue; JPMorgan Chase, accepted by Exec VP Frederick Hill; and The Late Show with David Letterman, accepted by bandleader Paul Shaffer. While onstage, Shaffer quipped that new papa Letterman wasn’t there because he had to go home to his “hot nanny,” and later led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels (and NYC & Co. Chairman) Jonathan Tisch, celebrating the big 5-0.

Sotheby’s famous-in-his-own-right Hugh Hildesley led a live on-site auction, the proceeds of which benefitted the Foundation, and guests were treated to memorable performances by Cyndi Lauper and Tony Bennett. Luminaries included Kathleen Turner, Sopranos’ Dominic “Uncle Junior” Chianese, Nicole Miller, Cristyne Nicholas, Charlene and Jimmy Nederlander Sr., Phil and Tricia Smith, Manny Kladitis, Leonard Soloway, and restaurateurs Stephen Hanson and Danny Meyer, Steve Ross (developer of the Time Warner Center), and Viacom TV exec Dennis Swanson.

Now that’s entertainment!