It's a busy spring for McNally in the nation's capital: The Kennedy Center is producing his plays Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata and Golden Age there.

Established stars of Washington, DC, stages — along with artists in the first phase of their careers — will present awards for artistic excellence in 26 categories.

The 26th Helen Hayes Awards, which celebrate excellence in DC-area theatre, will be handed out at the historic Warner Theatre.

Presenters will include actors Brigid Cleary, Allyson Currin, Natascia Diaz, Jessica Frances Dukes, Sherri L. Edelen, Ted van Greithuysen, Paige Hernandez, Brian Hemmingsen, Nanna Ingvarsson, Donna Migliaccio, Jane Pesci-Townsend, J. Fred Shiffman, Gary Sloan, Deidre LaWan Starnes and Craig Wallace; designers Daniel Conway, Helen Huang and Tim Jones; musical director George Fulginiti-Shakar; directors Andrew Baughman, Derek Goldman, Allison Stockman and Joy Zinoman; and James MacArthur, the son of Helen Hayes and playwright Charles MacArthur.

The evening will feature Washington-area singers and dancers Kurt Boehm, Keittra Colombel, Cyana Cook, Glen Howard, Stacey Jackson, John Lescault, Amy McWilliams, Don Kenneth Mason, Jobari Parker-Namdar, Aaron Reeder, Bobby Smith, Max Talisman, Kerry Waters Lucas and Lauren Williams. Jerry Whiddon, former artistic director of Round House Theatre, will direct. Charles MacArthur Award recipient Renee Calarco will write the ceremony. George Hummel is musical director. Michael J. Bobbitt will choreograph.

Helen Hayes Award nominee and recipient Daniel MacLean Wagner is producer and production designer, in collaboration with Carl Gudenius (scenic designer) and Alan H. Perry (sound designer).