The famed brother and sister will receive the award during the 2008 Pink Frolic Ball at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Richard Rodgers Award, established in 1988, recognizes "the lifetime contributions of outstanding talents in musical theatre," according to press notes. Previous recipients of the award include Mary Martin (1988), Dame Julie Andrews (1989), Harold Prince (1991), Sir Cameron Mackintosh (1992), Stephen Sondheim (1993), Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (1996), Gwen Verdon (2000), Bernadette Peters (2002) and Shirley Jones (2007).
Kathleen and Rob Marshall were raised in Pittsburgh and both received their equity cards on the Pittsburgh CLO stage.
In a statement Pittsburgh CLO executive producer Van Kaplan said, "We are honored to present this award to CLO alumni Kathleen Marshall and Rob Marshall who Pittsburgh audiences first met in 1973 when they appeared alongside their sister Maura as three of the von Trapp children in Pittsburgh CLO's production of The Sound of Music at Heinz Hall. The siblings went on to perform in the CLO ensemble in the 1980s and returned as members of CLO's creative team in the 1990s. . . .Certainly, both Kathleen and Rob's accomplishments on stage and on screen have helped define excellence in musical theatre, and we are honored to have this opportunity to recognize their outstanding talent and creativity."
Ted Chapin, president of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, added, "The past recipients of this award make an impressive group of musical theatre legends. To add to that roster two more dynamic artists who have amassed Broadway, Hollywood and London credits between them - and who have Pittsburgh and the CLO in their blood - is the best way to celebrate this milestone. Kathleen and Rob are both talented artists; they are also longtime members of the extended R&H family. . .On top of that, they are friends of ours as well. I am thrilled they have agreed to accept the Richard Rodgers Award." The 2008 Pink Frolic Ball will feature dinner as well as a CLO performance honoring the Marshalls. Mary Rodgers Guettel will present the award to the Marshall siblings.
Kathleen Marshall is currently represented on Broadway with the revival of Grease. She directed and choreographed the recent revivals of The Pajama Game and Wonderful Town, winning Tony Awards for her choreography for both productions. She also choreographed the Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors as well as the revivals of Follies; Kiss Me, Kate; Ring Round the Moon; and 1776. Marshall choreographed the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty musical Seussical and the original revue Swinging on a Star. Her other Broadway credits — as creative associate or assistant choreographer — include Victor/Victoria, Damn Yankees, She Loves Me and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Marshall served as artistic director of City Center's acclaimed Encores! series for several seasons.
Rob Marshall was nominated for an Academy Award for his direction of the feature film "Chicago." A six-time Tony Award nominee, Marshall's first Tony nomination was for his choreography of Kander and Ebb's Kiss of the Spider Woman. His Broadway choreography credits also include She Loves Me (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Damn Yankees (Tony nomination), Victor/Victoria, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Company. Marshall also co-directed and choreographed Cabaret (Tony and Drama Desk nominations for direction and choreography) and directed and choreographed the revival of Little Me (Tony and Drama Desk nominations for choreography). Marshall's TV credits include "Annie," "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella," "Mrs. Santa Claus" and "Tony Bennett: An American Classic." For the latter he won the Director's Guild Award and three Emmy Awards: for Direction, Choreography and Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.
For more information on tickets for the Richard Rodgers Award presentation, contact Emily Schwartz at (412) 281-3973 x 215.
