Broadway Beacon Awards Honor Nick Jonas, Christie Brinkley & More Tonight, 6/4

Inside Broadway's 2012 Broadway Beacon Awards will be held at 6:00PM tonight, June 4th, 2012 at the Hudson Theatre in the Millennium Broadway Hotel in the heart of Times Square at 145 West 44th Street. The evening will honor How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying star and singer/songwriter Nick Jonas, model, philanthropist and Chicago star Christie Brinkley (currently starring on Broadway before joining the national tour), I.A.T.S.E. President James J. Claffey, Jr., and The Millennium Broadway Hotel for their longstanding contributions to Times Square and the Broadway community. The evening, which begins with a cocktail hour, will be hosted by FOX5 reporter Julie Chang. The awards ceremony will begin at 7:30pm.

Nick Jonas began his career on Broadway and is thrilled to once again be back. After being discovered as a child in a local New Jersey barber shop, Nick quickly landed roles in Broadway productions of Annie Get Your Gun, A Christmas Carol and Beauty and the Beast. While rising to fame as a member of the Grammy and Emmy-nominated band, the Jonas Brothers, Nick has continued to perform on some of the most prestigious live musical stages in the world.

Christie Brinkley received critical acclaim when she made her Broadway stage debut as Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical Chicago and she has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers worldwide. But more than that, she also excels as an artist, writer, photographer, designer, actress, philanthropist environmentalist and political activist. Combining her modeling experience with her artistic talents and diverse interests, Christie's career over the years has been interesting and dynamic.

James J. Claffey, Jr. is President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) Local One, New York City's stagehand union, whose members create the magic that illuminates the Great White Way as well as television studios across the City. The over-3,000 members of Local One construct and manage sets, scenery, lighting, sound and special effects for theatre, television and special events.

The Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York, is located in the heart of Times Square just steps from Broadway shows, restaurant row and 5th Avenue shopping. This four-star, deluxe hotel, features 750 beautifully appointed rooms as well as the historic Hudson Theatre which is regularly available for concerts, meetings, weddings and other events. The 100-year-old historical landmark is the second oldest theatre in New York. Stars such as Barbra Streisand and Louis Armstrong made their debuts at the Hudson Theatre, and the Tonight Show with Steve Allen first aired on that very same stage.

Inside Broadway is currently celebrating its landmark 30th anniversary of providing New York City public schools with crucial arts education programs (reaching nearly one million students over the past three decades). Their annual Broadway Beacon Awards are held to support Inside Broadway's mission of bringing the joys of theatre to New York City's under-served public school students. "I am thrilled to be honoring such a hardworking, talented, and committed group from the entertainment and business communities," says Inside Broadway's Executive Director Michael Presser. "Inside Broadway's aim is to pass down the rich legacy of musical theater to future generations so that the magic, music, and universal themes of the genre are not lost but rediscovered & made relevant for today's youth and our honorees this year have each without a doubt greatly contributed to that cause."

Inside Broadway was established in 1982 by Michael Presser at the invitation of The Shubert Organization. Today, Inside Broadway reaches over 30,000 New York City students each year and develops and produces touring equity musical productions as well as a wide range of educational programs that allow participants to interact with professionals in the field and experience theatre hands-on in the classroom. Programs of Inside Broadway are funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, New York City Department of Education, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, and numerous foundations and individuals. For more on Inside Broadway, visit www.InsideBroadway.org.