Tony Randall Grant Presents $100,000 Grant to NYTW

At an event held at Sardi's Restaurant in New York on Wednesday, June 21st, Heather Randall and Jack Klugman, along with the Board of Directors of the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund, and the Grant Selection Committee announced the beneficiary of the inaugural Tony Randall Grant. This year's recipient is New York Theatre Workshop for the production of Martha Clarke's PIRANDELLO PROJECT (Working Title).

The Tony Randall Grant is a $100,000 award given annually to a Tri-State area non-profit Equity theatre company for the production of a classic play, an adaptation of a classic play or a work inspired by the classics.

"The dramatic literature from every country, beginning with Greece, is our heritage. It is not to be read; it is to be seen on stage. Most Americans know little of it. This our challenge, our duty, and our mission in life – to bring live theatre to our city and country at a price which families can afford." – Tony Randall (1920-2004), on the mission of his dream, the National Actors Theatre, which he founded in 1991 and which presented over 20 major productions of classical theatre works both on and off-Broadway.

"With the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund and the Tony Randall Grant, we strive to continue Tony's dream of bringing the classical tradition of theatre to the public and in that tradition, to also fund work that breaks new artistic barriers," states Heather Randall.

The October 2006 production of Martha Clarke's PIRANDELLO PROJECT (Working Title) at New York Theatre Workshop aims to break new ground in the interaction between text, music and movement using four of Italian author Luigi Pirandello's (1887-1936) stories. Set in turn-of-the-century Sicily, these stories portray common people in mystical situations, heavily influenced by poverty and the political unrest of the time. The PIRANDELLO PROJECT should provide an innovating assessment on the work of an Italian master for future generations.

"This particular grant is very special to me," says Heather Randall, "as it was the NAT production of Luigi Pirandello's play RIGHT YOU ARE that proved to be Tony's final performance on stage." (Randall entered the hospital the day after the production closed in December 2003).

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) is a leading voice in the theatre community. Since 1978, NYTW has been producing challenging and unpredictable new theatre and fosters the creative work of artists with whom they share an artistic vision as they explore perspectives on the collective history of the events and institutions that shape their lives. NYTW boasts a long list of acclaimed works that includes: the breakthrough musical RENT, Tony Kushner's HOMEBODY/KABUL, Martha Clarke's VIENNA: LUSTHAUS (revisited), Caryl Churchill's FAR AWAY AND A NUMBER. NYTW productions have received a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and numerous Obie Awards.

"On behalf of the artists, staff and board of New York Theatre Workshop, I thank the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund for its generous support of the PIRANDELLO PROJECT," says James C. Nicola, NYTW's Artistic Director.

"Martha Clarke and NYTW have been working together on this production for four years and, through the aid of this grant, NYTW will be able to realize Martha's complex vision with the highest artistic integrity. I would especially like to express our gratitude to Heather Randall and welcome her to the extended NYTW family."

"I am honored that my work has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Tony Randall Grant," says Martha Clarke. "I have always been interested in our past, whether it's turn-of-the-last-century Vienna or the world of Toulouse-Lautrec, as a means of illuminating our present, so I salute the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund for its commitment in bringing classic work and themes to modern audiences. And I am forever grateful to Jim Nicola, Lynn Moffat and everyone at New York Theatre Workshop for their unflagging support in the creation of the PIRANDELLO PROJECT

The Tony Randall Theatrical Fund has also recently presented severAl Smaller grants to several non-profit organizations that were of personal interest to Mr. Randall. Among the recipients are: Berkshire Theatre Festival, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, Center for Independent Filmmakers, Coconut Grove Playhouse, The Drama League, Elysium Between Two Continents, Ethical Culture Foundation, Guggenheim Museum, Martha Graham Dance Company, Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, New Victory Theatre, New York International Ballet Competition, Paper Bag Players, Raleigh Charter High School, Rent 10, Starworks Foundation, VOICE Experience Foundation, Voice Foundation.

Applicants for the 2007 Tony Randall Grant will be asked to submit a one page information sheet and a one page proposal letter. The field will be narrowed to 10 finalists who will be asked to send more detailed information. A committee of renowned theatre artists will make the final selection. Guidelines: Must operate in the Tri-State Area; Must be an Equity theatre or employ Equity actors; Must have been in operation as a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) for at least three years; The production must be either a classic play, an adaptation of a classic play or a new work inspired from the classics; Applications will be accepted via email only utilizing the form found at www.tonyrandalltheatricalfund.org; Application must be received between September 1st - November 31st; The grant will be presented to the winner in Late Spring; The top 10 finalists will be notified by January 31st.

The 2007 Tony Randall Grant Selection Committee includes Jed Bernstein, Steve Buscemi, Charles Busch, Cherry Jones, Michael Mastro, Marian Seldes, Gary Springer and Ben Vereen.