UGLY LIES THE BONE's Mamie Gummer and More to Honor Lindsey Ferrentino at Kesselring Ceremony

The beloved award-winning actress Tovah Feldshuh and actress Mamie Gummer will be among those on hand to salute playwright Lindsey Ferrentino when she receives the 2016 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 pm at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South).

The 2016 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting - given annually by the National Arts Club to an outstanding new playwright on the verge of national recognition - will be presented this year to Ms. Ferrentino for her play UGLY LIES THE BONE.

This year the Kesselring Committee significantly increased the award to $25,000, which Ms. Ferrentino will receive, along with the opportunity to reside for two weeks in the historic landmark quarters of The National Arts Club in order to develop her work. This artistic residency is a new addition to the Kesselring Prize this year.

A reading of selections from Ms. Ferrentino's plays - including UGLY LIES THE BONE - will be presented at 7 pm on Nov. 14, followed by the presentation of the award itself. This portion of the evening is open free to the public. Advance reservations are required -- RSVP to kesselring@thenationalartsclub.org.

Rising young actress Mamie Gummer - who starred in UGLY LIES THEBONE during its premiere in NYC at Roundabout Theatre Company - is among the actors who will perform selections from Ms. Ferrentino's plays: including UGLY LIES THE BONE, MOONLIGHT ON THE BAYOU, KOKOMO and AMY AND THE ORPHANS. Joining Ms. Gummer in the cast of the readings will be: Peter Friedman, Chris Stack, Jasmin Walker, Caitlin O'Connell and ChristiAnna Nelson.

Also making remarks during the awards presentation will be Linda Zagaria, President of the National Arts Club, Ms. Feldshuh, Kesselring Artistic Advisor Michael Parva, David Glanstein, chair of the Kesselring Committee, and Ms. Ferrentino.

Ms. Ferrentino, who was submitted for the award by the Geffen Playhouse, was among a dozen playwrights nominated for the Prize by leading non-profit theaters around the country: American Conservatory Theater, Arena Stage, Berkeley Rep, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, Manhattan Theater Club, New Dramatists, Primary Stages and The Public Theater. The list of theaters across the country invited to nominate candidates for the Kesselring changes year-to-year.

The jury for the 2016 Kesselring Prize - first awarded by the National Arts Club in 1980 - is comprised of the distinguished playwrights John Guare and Lynn Nottage, and Ann Cattaneo, dramaturg for Lincoln Center Theater. Michael Parva, artistic director of The Directors Company in New York, is the Prize Committee's Artistic Advisor.

UGLY LIES THE BONE was presented by Roundabout Theater Company in New York, with upcoming productions scheduled in the U.S. and Europe. The play depicts the drama that unfolds when a combat veteran returns from Afghanistan in physical and emotional distress and grapples with a new reality that has engulfed her hometown, her relationships and her dreams. Ms. Ferrentino's other plays include AMY AND THE ORPHANS, THIS FLAT EARTH and PARADISE BAR AND GRILL.

Begun in 1980 by the National Arts Club, the Kesselring Prize for Playwriting was established by Charlotte Kesselring, in memory of her husband and long-time National Arts Club member Joseph Kesselring, author of the classic comedy ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Past winners of the Kesselring Prize include Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Nicky Silver, David Auburn, Melissa James Gibson, Jordan Harris and Mark Schultz. In 2015 the Kesselring was awarded to Lucas Nath for his acclaimed play THE CHRISTIANS. Prior to 2016, the Kesselring Prize was bestowed with a $10,000 award.

For more information about the Kesselring Prize and The National Arts Club, visit www.thenationalartsclub.org or contact Kesselring@thenationalartsclub.org.