Bernadette Peters, Hugh Jackman & Actors' Equity to Receive Special Tony Awards & Honors

The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that Bernadette Peters will receive the Isabelle Stevenson Award. Additionally, the Administration Committee will bestow Special Tony Awards to Actors' Equity Association and to Hugh Jackman. These awards will be presented at the 2012 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 10th. The 2012 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

The recipient of the Isabelle Stevenson Award will be Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters. The Isabelle Stevenson Award recognizes an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre. Ms Peters founded Broadway Barks!, along with Mary Tyler Moore, as a program to promote the adoption of shelter animals. Broadway Barks! has evolved into an event that has not only focuses on the plight of homeless animals but had opened the door of communication and fostered a spirit of community among the numerous shelters and rescue groups working throughout New York. Ms. Peters has also written two children's books to benefit the charity – Broadway Barks and Stella is A Star. Additionally, Ms. Peters works with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Standing Tall, and Actors Fund of America.

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The Tony Awards Administration Committee will present a Special Tony Award to Actors' Equity Association, who starting in the month of June will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary.

Additionally, The Tony Awards Administration Committee will present a Special Tony Award to Tony winning-actor and three-time Tony Awards host, Hugh Jackman. Mr. Jackman is being honored for his contributions to the Broadway community, both as a performer and humanitarian; his tireless dedication to charitable works of many types; and his personal generosity of spirit.

The Tony Award Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 1^st.   The 66^th Annual Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012.