Actor Bernadette Peters and director Jerry Mitchell will be honored for their achievements and contributions to the theater community at the 79th Annual Drama League Awards ceremony in May. In addition, Madison Square Garden Entertainment and the Rockettes will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award for continuing efforts in promoting live theater.
Peters, a Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy Award winner, will be given the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, and Mitchell will be honored with rhe Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.
"It's a lifetime dream for those of us at The Drama League to be able to honor Peters, who stands among the greatest performers Broadway has ever seen. Her talent is exceeded only by her commitment to her charitable causes, and the same could be said of Jerry Mitchell, whose dazzling imagination has shaped both the Broadway Bares fundraising series and the Great White Way's most vibrant successes,” said Drama League Executive Director Gabriel Shanks in a statement.
The Drama League also offers awards for Distinguished Play, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Best Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the Distinguished Performance Award. These winners will be announced April 23 at an event that will be live-streamed on BroadwayWorld.com. The awards ceremony itself will take place on Friday, May 17.
Given out since 1922, the Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America. They are also the only major theater awards selected by audience members, thousands of Drama League members across the country who see Broadway and Off-Broadway productions throughout the season.