Freedman & Lutvak Among Winners of '06 Kleban Awards

Laurence Holzman, Felicia Needleman, Alison Louise Hubbard, Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak have been selected as the winners of the 16th Annual Kleban Awards, which honor achievement in writing for musical theatre.

Writing team Holzman and Needleman received a Kleban for most promising musical theatre librettist, while Hubbard and co-lyricists Freedman and Lutvak (in a tie) were awarded for most promising lyricist.

The award is presented by the Kleban Foundation, as administered by the New Dramatists Organization, and will provide a prize of $100,000 payable over two years.

Together, Holzman and Needleman have penned the books and lyrics for the musicals The Jerusalem Syndrome, Wallenberg, and Suddenly Hope, as well as the holiday revue That Time of Year.  Hubbard's credits as a lyricist include The Enchanted Cottage, Little Women (not to be confused with the Broadway musical) and Buddy's Tavern, among others.  Freedman and Lutvak have co-written Campaign of the Century and Kind Hearts and Coronets.  Individually, Freedman has worked on Grand Duchy and penned the teleplay for "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows."  Lutvak has penned The Wayside Inn, Esmeralda and Almost September, among others.

The Kleban Foundation was established in 1988 under the will of Edward L. Kleban, best known as the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-award winning lyricist for the musical A Chorus Line.  In 2001, Kleban's life provided the basis for the musical A Class Act.

New Dramatists is the country's premiere center for the support and development of playwrights.  It was founded in 1948 by Michaela O'Harra in association with Howard Lindsay, Richard Rodgers, Russel Crouse, Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, John Golden, Moss Hart, Maxwell Anderson, John Wharton, Robert E. Sherwood and Elmer Rice.  "New Dramatists gives writers the tools that they need – workshop time, generous theatre and meeting space, a pool of exceptional actors and directors, writing equipment, and the creative ferment of community – to grow artistically and strengthen their commitment to theatre."  For more information (as well as an application for the 2006-2007 awards and submission guidelines), visit www.newdramatists.org