It began just down the street from the Dakota, in Billie Holiday’s old music studio, which was then home to Theatre Within, an experimental theater workshop. A small group of performing artists and their friends were drawn together by John Lennon's senseless murder. An emotional evening of song, dance and theater, that first gathering was an instinctive outpouring of sorrow and grief. Since then, the event has transformed into a joyful celebration of the life, music and creative spirit of John Lennon. 

Theatre Within’s Annual John Lennon Tribute is now recognized as the longest running Lennon tribute show in the world. It is the only ongoing Lennon tribute show in New York City and the only ongoing Lennon tribute show to have earned the support of Yoko Ono.

Created in 1981 by Theatre Within founder, Alec Rubin, and his then student Joe Raiola, each year’s Tribute brings together an enormously talented and diverse group of musicians, dancers and other performing artists.

For 20 years the show was directed by Mr. Rubin and produced by Mr. Raiola. When Mr. Raiola took over as Producing Director in 2001, he turned the Tribute into a charity benefit.
Upon hearing of the show for the first time in 2004, Yoko Ono invited Mr. Raiola to contribute to her book, Memories of John Lennon.

In 2005, the Silver Anniversary of the Annual John Lennon Tribute was celebrated at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Guests included singer-songwriters Cliff Eberhardt, Jen Chapin and then newcomer, Anais Mitchell.

From 2006-2008, the Tribute was held at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre and featured such notable performers as Rosanne Cash, Steve Forbert, Marshall Crenshaw and Michelle Shocked.

In 2008, the show was a benefit for World Hunger Year (WHY). By bringing WHY together with Yoko Ono, Theatre Within played an important role in helping launch the “Imagine There’s No’s Hunger” Global Initiative which raised one million dollars to fight hunger and poverty around the world.