Princess Grace Awards Presented in Manhattan Oct. 21; Patinkin Gets Rainier Award

By Adam Hetrick
October 21, 2009

The 2009 Princess Grace Awards, honoring Tony winner Mandy Patinkin, are presented at the Cipriani 42nd Street Oct. 21.

As part of the gala ceremony, Patinkin (Sunday in the Park With George, Evita) is to be presented with the Prince Rainier III Award for his contribution to the arts. Tommy and Dee Hilfiger are co-chairs of the gala that will take place in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Tony and Emmy Award-nominated actress Martha Plimpton (Pal Joey, Coast of Utopia) will present the Theatre Awards. The awards and grants in all artistic disciplines were created to assist emerging artists with their training. Theatre companies hosting a 2009 honoree also receive a General Operating Support grant.

The 2009 Theatre and Playwriting Award recipients follow:

Ann Bartek, Pierre Cardin Theater Award
Theater Fellowship, The Milk Can Theatre Company

Craig Bazan
Theater Apprenticeship, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Colin K. Bills, Fabergé Theater Award
Theater Fellowship, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

James Darrah, Robert and Gloria Hausman Theater Award
Theater Scholarship, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Theater

Nicolette Robinson, Gant Gaither Theater Award
Theater Scholarship, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Theater

Lily Whitsitt, Grace Le Vine Theater Award
Theater Scholarship, California Institute of the Arts

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Playwriting Fellowship, New Dramatists Inc.

Princess Grace Statue Awards, which honor distinguished previous Princess Grace Award recipients, will be presented to Classic Stage Company artistic director Brian Kulick and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Gillian Murphy.

Theatre Honoraria will be awarded to Denise Quiñones (Repertorio Espanol), Meghan Raham (Kansas City Repertory Theatre) and Tony Speciale (Classic Stage Company); while Princess Grace Statue Awards will be presented to Classic Stage Company artistic director Brian Kulick and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Gillian Murphy.

For further information and a complete list of 2009 Princess Grace Award Recipients in Dance and Film visit Princess Grace Foundation-USA.