HAMILTON, IN JACKSON HEIGHTS Documentary Honored Today With 2016 Brendan Gill Prize

Today, May 11, The Municipal Art Society will present the 2016 Brendan Gill Prize to Broadway's HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL and the documentary film IN JACKSON HEIGHTS.

"We are delighted to honor these twin works of art from 2015 that celebrated the role of immigrants in shaping the history and culture of New York City," said MAS President Gina Pollara. "The brashly revolutionary HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL and the quietly profound IN JACKSON HEIGHTS together reaffirm New York's identity as the birthplace of the American dream and a city that is made ever stronger by its diversity."

Representatives from both teams will be presented with the prestigious award by MAS President Gina Pollara and Chairman Frederick Iseman during the organization's Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Ford Foundation office. Tickets are currently sold-out.

A masterpiece that marries hip-hop and musical theater, HAMILTON ignited newfound excitement about New York City's role in THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION with the compelling story of our only immigrant founding father, Alexander Hamilton. By combining brilliant stage production, a sensational soundtrack, a diverse cast, innovative choreography, and free performances, the musical celebrates the important impact immigrants have had on the history of our city and country.

IN JACKSON HEIGHTS is a thought-provoking and illuminating documentary depicting with great dignity the daily life of people living in New York City's most ethnically and culturally diverse neighborhood. America's story of immigration, assimilation, and integration is captured here in a new light through lively conversations and deeply personal recordings that give voice to the New Yorkers of all backgrounds who call Jackson Heights 'home.'

The Brendan Gill prize was established in 1987 by MAS board members Jacqueline KENNEDY Onassis, Helen Tucker, and Margot Wellington to honor the creator of the building, book, essay, musical composition, play, film, painting, sculpture, choreographic work, or landscape design in the previous year that best captures, "the energy, vigor and verve of our incomparable city." Past recipients include Kara Walker, Michael Kimmelman, and Louis Kahn. For a full list, visit mas.org/awards/brendan-gill.

This annual cash award is administered by MAS and named for longtime New Yorker theater and architecture critic, champion preservationist, and civic booster, Brendan Gill.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus