Honored for his contributions to the American theatre, Simon will be feted at a gala dinner in the Rainbow Room's Pegasus Suite. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM.

The honorary committee for the event culls from Simon's many artistic collaborations. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane serve as co-chairs. Honorary members — many of whom will be featured in presentations throughout the evening — include Lucie Arnaz, Emanuel Azenberg, Penny Fuller, Marvin Hamlisch, Laurence Luckinbill, Dina Merrill and Ted Hartley, Ruth and Steve Hendel, Pat Daily and Tom Viertel, and Betsy and George C. White.

Simon – the only playwright to have four of his works running on Broadway simultaneously – has been honored with three Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Drama Desk Award, an American Comedy Award, a Golden Globe Award and the Kennedy Center Honors. Some of his works for the stage include Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Chapter Two, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. He also contributed librettos to the musicals Sweet Charity; Promises, Promises; They're Playing Our Song; and The Goodbye Girl.

Previous Monte Cristo Award recipients include Jason Robards, Jr., Edward Albee, August Wilson, Zoe Caldwell, Brian Dennehy, Karl Malden, Arthur and Barbara Gelb and Wendy Wasserstein.

Gala tickets and reservations may be made by contacting Suzanne Hendrix at (860) 443-5378 x 217 or by e-mailing [email protected].