Kristen Johnston Will Co-Host The 2009 Lucille Lortel Awards

Kristen Johnston will co-host the 2009 Lucille Lortel Awards, trade paper Variety reports.

Presenters at the ceremony will include Jeremy Irons, Parker Posey, Kerry Butler, John Glover, Marsha Mason and Phyllis Newman, amongst others.

Further presenters, and a co-host for Johnston, will be announced shortly.

Now in its 24th year, the Lortel Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Off Broadway Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis. Arrivals / Cocktails begin at 6PM EST and the Awards Ceremony begins at 7PM EST. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund. A cocktail reception honoring all of the nominees will take place on Monday, April 20 at Ruth's Chris Steak House at 5PM EST.

Representatives of the Off-Broadway League, Actors¹ Equity Association, Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers, the Lucille Lortel Foundation in addition to theatre journalists and academics and other Off-Broadway professionals serve on the Voting Committee. The 2009 Voting Committee is comprised of Jeremy Dobrish, John Clinton Eisner, Barrack Evans, Kurt Everhart, Peter Filichia, David Finkle, Jeffrey Fiske, ElizaBeth Frankel, Melanie Herman, Linda Herring, Matthew Kelty, Walt Kiskaddon, Renée Lasher, Russell Lehrer, Niclas Nagler, Barbara Pasternack, Richard Price, Mark Rossier, David Savran and Barbara Toy.

The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Additional support provided by Theatre Development Fund. Support also provided by Ketel One Vodka, Pepper Bridge Winery & Amavi Cellars.

The Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were created in 1985 by the Off-Broadway League. The Lortel Awards recognize excellence Off-Broadway by honoring the invaluable contribution of artists to the theatre community.

Representatives of the Off-Broadway League, Actors Equity Association, Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers, the Lucille Lortel Foundation in addition to theatre journalists and academics and other Off-Broadway professionals serve on the Voting Committee.

The awards are given in the following categories: Play, Musical, Solo Show, Revival, Alternative Theatrical Experience, Director, Choreographer, Lead Actor and Actress, Featured Actor and Actress, Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Design. The following honorary awards may also be given: Lifetime Achievement, Body of Work (awarded to an institution), the Edith Oliver Award for Sustained Excellence and induction onto the Playwrights Sidewalk in front of the historic Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City.

For more information, please see www.LortelAward.com

The Lucille Lortel Foundation was created by Lucille Lortel to foster excellence and diversity in the theatre, as well as to faithfully preserve the rich history and support the continued prosperity of Off-Broadway. The Foundation has several major programs, including its general operating support program that has provided millions of dollars to small to mid-size theatres in New York City, universities, and theatre service organizations. The Foundation created and maintains the Internet Off-Broadway Data Base (www.lOBDB.com ). For a listing of all of the Foundation programs, previous Lortel Award nominees and recipients, information on the Lucille Lortel Theatre and Playwrights Sidewalk, and much more, please visit www.lortel.org.

Theatre Development Fund (TDF) has played a unique role in strengthening live theatre and dance in New York City for the past 40 years. This not-for-profit service organization's programs have filled 72 million seats at discount prices (with theatre lovers who would normally not be able to attend live performance) and returned over 1.6 billion dollars in revenue to thousands of theatre, dance and music productions. Best known for its TKTS Discount Booths, TDF's membership, voucher, access and education programs as well as its Costume Collection, help to make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone. For more information, go to: www.tdf.org.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund which provides programs and services for those on stage and on screen and everyone behind the scenes in theatre, film, TV, music, dance, radio and opera is a safety net, providing social services and emergency assistance, health services and health insurance information, employment and training programs and housing support for those who are in need, crisis or transition. Learn more about what The Actors Fund does in helping over 10,000 people every year at www.actorsfund.org.

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