Earle Hyman to Receive 'Pioneer Award,' April 17

Take Wing And Soar Productions' Spring Gala will honor actor Earle Hyman with the "Take Wing And Soar Spirit of Excellence Pioneer Award." The reception & presentation, on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, will be followed by the performance of their Mainstage production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Press notes state, "the 'Take Wing And Soar Spirit of Excellence Pioneer Award' celebrates the achievements of diverse artists & others who, through their outstanding performance & leadership, have contributed directly, or indirectly, to the professionalism & growth of Take Wing And Soar Productions, the theatrical profession & society. Awards are presented to artists & other individuals who excel in their professional settings; who personify excellence on the national, state or local level; who have demonstrated a commitment to cultural diversity, understanding & unity in the arts." Previous recipients of the award include actresses Ruby Dee (2005) & Jane White (2006).

Earle Hyman was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and appeared in the American Negro Theatre's first hit, Anna Lucasta (1944), both on Broadway and in London. Drawn to classical roles, he has played many of Shakespeare's major tragic leads in national and international productions, starring in Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear. On the New York stage, he found roles in Mr. Johnson (1956), Driving Miss Daisy (1989) and Pygmalion (1991). Hyman is also a Tony Award-nominee and an ACE Award winner, and he received an Emmy nomination for his role as Russelll Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." He was also the first non-Norwegian to be awarded the St. Olav Medal, for his three decades of performing on the Norwegian stage.

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is directed by Dr. Elizabeth Swain and stars Timothy D. Stickney (ABC's "One Life to Live"). Also appearing in the production are Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Larry Floyd, David Heron, Mary Hodges, Zainab Jah, Michael Leonard James, Tom Martin, Kwame Riley, Miguel Sierra, Carsey Walker, Jr., Bryan Webster and Dathan B. Williams. The creative team features Scenic Design by Rob Dutiel, Costume Design by Ali Turns, Lighting Design by Jane Shaw, Sound Design by David D. Wright, and Fight Choreography by Ron Piretti.

The reception and award presentation are at 6:30PM, Tuesday, April 17. The Performance of Hamlet is at 8PM. Tickets for the Gala are $40, and are available by visiting Smarttix.com or by calling  (212) 868-4444.  The event is at The WorkShop Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, Fourth Floor East, between 8th and 9th Avenues. For more information, visit www.takewingandsoar.org.