Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced that this year's American Artist Award will be presented to Tony and Emmy winner Hal Linden, who is currently performing in Arthur Miller’s The Price in Arena Stage’s Kogod Cradle.
Linden will receive the award November 8 as part of the opening-night celebration of the Arena Stage production of The Pajama Game.
The American Artist Award recognizes “artists of the highest caliber, honoring their work and significant contributions to American theater.” Past recipients include Moisés Kaufman, Sheldon Harnick, Kathleen Turner, Leslie Uggams, Edward Albee, James Earl Jones, Robert “Bob” Alexander, August Wilson, and Arena Stage co-founder Zelda Fichandler.
“Arena’s mission is focused on American artists and presenting the American Artist Award each season is a joy,” said Artistic Director Molly Smith in a statement. “Hal Linden is a delight. He is talented, engaging, humble. He’s a consummate artist and a real team player. It has a been a pleasure to have him on Arena’s stage with The Price and I cannot think of a better person to receive the American Artist Award this season. While he has earned fame in all media, theater is his first love and we are so pleased to highlight his accomplishments with this award.”
“It's an honor just being involved with Arena Stage this season," added Linden. "Art is man's way of reminding himself he's not perfect and we all need art. It's an honor to be recognized for my work and my art, and to receive this award.”
Linden is perhaps best known for his portrayal of police precinct captain Barney Miller in the hit TV series Barney Miller, which earned him seven Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. For his work in The Rothschilds, Linden won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
