Celebrated Playwright Lynn Nottage to Receive Prestigious Monte Cristo Award at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Gala

 

Lynn Nottage - photo credit: Lynn Serevese

Breaking News: Celebrated Playwright Lynn Nottage to Receive Prestigious Monte Cristo Award at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Gala

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present the 22nd Monte Cristo Award to award-winning playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage.  Nottage, who was in residence at the O’Neill in 2006 while working on her play Ruined, is the first (and remains the only) woman to have two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama - the first for Ruined, and the second for her 2015 play Sweat.  

The celebratory evening will feature special performances by Quincy Tyler Bernstein, Tonya Pinkins, Jason Bowen, Gabby Beans, Stacey Sargeant, CJ Wilson, and Joyce Sylvester, among others.  Additional guests for the evening will include Michael Douglas, Tom Viertel, Carlo Alban, Krystal Joy Brown, Mario Cantone, Angel Desai, Jerry Dixon, Jessica Fraces Dukes, Ben Durocher, John Jellison, Isabel Keating, Chalia La Tour, Jevares Myrick, Michael Potts, Laila Robbins, Ryan Spahn, and others. 

WHAT: The O’Neill annually bestows its Monte Cristo Award on a prominent artist whose work has had an extraordinary impact on American theater, in memory of its namesake. The annual gala event supports the O’Neill’s mission to develop new work and new artists for the stage.   

Past recipients of the Award include actors Geroge C. White, John Logan, Judith Light, Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Nathan Lane, Christopher Plummer, James Earl Jones, Jason Robards, Jr., Zoe Caldwell, Brian Dennehy, & Karl Malden; playwrights August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Edward Albee, & Neil Simon; directors Harold Prince & George C. Wolfe; and Arthur & Barbara Gelb and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Nottage's relationship with the O’Neill began in 2006 when she was in residence, diligently crafting her groundbreaking play "Ruined." Her talent and dedication shone brightly, earning her not just one, but two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. The first was awarded for the impactful "Ruined," and the second for her compelling 2015 play, "Sweat." Her groundbreaking contributions to theater have left an indelible mark, making her the perfect recipient of the Monte Cristo Award.

The gala evening, scheduled for Monday, November 6, 2023, promises an unforgettable celebration of Nottage's achievements. The event will feature special performances by esteemed artists including Quincy Tyler Bernstein, Tonya Pinkins, Jason Bowen, Gabby Beans, Stacey Sargeant, CJ Wilson, and Joyce Sylvester, among others. Notable personalities like Michael Douglas, Tom Viertel, Carlo Alban, Krystal Joy Brown, Mario Cantone, Angel Desai, and many more will grace the occasion with their presence.

The O’Neill’s Monte Cristo Award, an annual tradition, is a testament to artists who have made an indomitable impact on American theater. Past awardees include luminaries such as Meryl Streep, James Earl Jones, August Wilson, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. This year’s event will take place at the illustrious Capitale, located at 130 Bowery, New York City.

The evening’s schedule includes a media check-in at 5:15 PM, followed by red carpet arrivals and cocktails at 6:00 PM. The highlight of the evening, the dinner and program, will commence at 7:00 PM. This gala not only celebrates Nottage's exceptional talent but also supports O’Neill’s mission to nurture new work and emerging artists for the stage.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is a beacon of creativity and innovation in the world of theater. Established as a space for artists to explore, experiment, and refine their craft, the O’Neill has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of American theater. Through workshops, residencies, and prestigious awards like the Monte Cristo, the O’Neill continues to champion the next generation of theatrical visionaries.