Emmy, Tony, and two-time Grammy Award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is set to headline the Lincoln Center Benefit Concert on Monday, November 16th, 2026, at David Geffen Hall in New York City. The special fundraising performance will celebrate the power of the performing arts while supporting Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ mission to make extraordinary cultural experiences accessible to audiences of all backgrounds through its Free and Choose-What-You-Pay programming.
The annual benefit will raise funds for Lincoln Center’s accessibility initiatives, which provide opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to experience world-class performances, educational programming, festivals, and cultural events regardless of financial circumstances. Since introducing its Free and Choose-What-You-Pay model in 2022, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has welcomed nearly 3 million people to its campus through accessible programming. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers while encouraging broader participation in the arts and introducing new audiences to live performances. Emphasizing the importance of the organization’s mission, Mariko Silver, President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, stated, “The arts belong to everyone, and everyone should feel that they belong at Lincoln Center.” The benefit will bring together supporters who share the institution’s commitment to expanding cultural opportunities and strengthening the role of the arts within the community.
Erivo’s upcoming performance follows an impressive period in her career, including her acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in the Wicked films, which earned her major awards recognition, including Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and NAACP nominations. Earlier in 2026, the versatile performer returned to London’s West End in Dracula, portraying 23 characters in an ambitious one-woman production. She also earned her second Grammy Award for her performance of “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande. Erivo previously performed at Lincoln Center in 2019 at the Appel Room, with the concert recorded for PBS. Her November appearance marks another significant collaboration with the institution, highlighting her accomplishments across music, theater, and film while supporting an initiative designed to make the performing arts more inclusive.
Cynthia Erivo’s upcoming benefit performance brings together her celebrated musical and theatrical talents with Lincoln Center’s commitment to arts accessibility, creating an opportunity to support programs that connect more people with live cultural experiences.
