Kevin Spacey to Receive Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Monte Cristo Award

By Andrew Gans
09 Mar 2009

Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Academy and Tony Award winner Kevin Spacey will be presented with The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Monte Cristo Award April 26 at a gala dinner held at Bridgewaters – South Street Seaport in New York City.

Spacey will receive the award in recognition of "his distinguished accomplishments and contributions to the American and international theater community," according to a press statement.

The 6:30 PM evening will include a selection of readings from plays that have featured Spacey as well as a performance from singer-songwriter Matt Alber.

O'Neill executive director Preston Whiteway said in a statement, "Kevin could not be a more ideal fit for the Monte Cristo Award. His breadth of work and success are remarkable, and his devotion to and love for theater is widely celebrated. He is a master interpreter of Eugene O'Neill's most iconic characters, and I could not be more pleased to honor him on the 26th of April, in what will be a memorably evening."

The Monte Cristo Award is given in recognition of "distinguished careers exemplifying Eugene O'Neill's standard of excellence and pioneering spirit." Past winners include Neil Simon, Edward Albee, August Wilson, Zoe Caldwell, Brian Dennehy, Karl Malden, Arthur and Barbara Gelb, and Wendy Wasserstein.

Spacey has served as the artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre Company since 2003. His London stage credits include National Anthems, The Philadelphia Story, Richard II, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Speed-the-Plow, and The Iceman Cometh, for which he earned the Evening Standard and Olivier Award for Best Actor. Spacey was awarded a Tony for Lost in Yonkers and has been Tony-nominated for his Broadway appearances in the Old Vic transfers of A Moon for the Misbegotten and The Iceman Cometh. His numerous screen credits include Oscar-winning performances in "American Beauty" and "The Usual Suspects," as well as "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," "Superman Returns," "Pay It Forward" and "HurlyBurly."

For table and ticket reservations, contact Suzanne Hendrix at (860) 443-5378, ext. 217 or e-mail shendrix@theoneill.org.