COSTA MESA, CA -- South Coast Repertory artistic directors David Emmes and Martin Benson were recently honored by the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, which gave them its annual Special Recognition Award for their contributions to the region's arts.

The award honors Emmes and Benson's career achievement of thirty-five years of theatre excellence.

PCBCA chairman Donald P. Kennedy, who is chairman of First American Financial Corporation, called them "two of the most influential arts managers in the history of the country. I have worked with David and Martin over the years and they are perfectly suited to receive a Busines in the Arts Award. Their amazing success comes from their uncanny talents in the areas of both business and the arts. SCR is one of the few arts organizations in the country that has never run a deficit, while at the same time, it is arguably the most consistent producer of risky new work."

The SCR's holiday productions are A Christmas Carol and La Posada Magica.

Call (714) 708-5555. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent