Tappan Wilder, nephew of famed playwright Thornton Wilder and literary executor, and cast members of the critically acclaimed (Lucille Lortel Award-winning) David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, in association with The Thornton Wilder Society, presented the "Thornton Wilder Prize," to famed Journalist Robert MacNeil on Saturday afternoon, May 22, 2010 following the matinee at the Barrow Street Theatre.
The Thornton Wilder Prize honors that individual who, in the opinion of the Board, practices his or her calling with the distinction, devotion and zest that characterized the artist for whom the prize is named. The Thornton Wilder Prize was established in 2008 with a donation from June Trolley, a friend of MR. Wilder's. The Prize was first awarded to novelist Russell Banks. Robert MacNeil was a journalist for forty years with, successively, Reuters News Agency, NBC News and the BBC, culminating as executive editor and co-anchor of "The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour," a 20-year nightly partnership with Jim Lehrer on PBS. Now in its historic second year, the critically acclaimed, record-breaking David Cromer production of' Thornton Wilder's Our Town played its 500th performance on May 9, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street). The New York production of Our Town began performances on February 17, 2009 (officially opening night was February 26, 2009) and went on to win the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Production and Outstanding Direction and Obie Award for Outstanding Director. This current staging of Our Town entered its second year on February 26th and became the longest-running production of the play in its 72-year history with its record-breaking 337th performance on December 16, 2009.Photo credit: Charles Eschelman
Honoree Robert MacNeil
Tappan Wilder, nephew of famed playwright Thornton Wilder
Jackson R. Bryer, President, Thornton Wilder Society; honoree Robert MacNeil; Lincoln Konkle, Executive Director, Thornton Wilder Society; Tappan Wilder
Curtain call: Cast of the critically acclaimed David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" at the Barrow Street Theater
Kati Brazda, Emma Galvin, Robert MacNeil, Tappan Wilder, Jennifer Grace, James McMenamin and Lori Myers
Michael Shannon, Robert MacNeil, Tappan Wilder, Jennifer Grace and James McMenamin
Tappan Wilder honored Lori Myers who departed the production that evening
Tappan Wilder and his wife Robin
Robert MacNeil and his wife Donna