The recipients of the honor — the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Come Back, Little Sheba and the Lincoln Center Theater revival of South Pacific — each receive a $5,000 grant toward the theatre company's 2008 educational initiatives. Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, said in a statement, "The New York Education Grants have been extremely successful in helping to provide unique Broadway experiences to young people, many of whom may not have had the opportunity to go to the theatre before. This year's recipients will build on this success with their outstanding programs. Education programs are crucial for the growth and survival of Broadway as they encourage young people to develop a lifelong appreciation of the arts."

Established in 2002, the New York Education Grants were initiated to "recognize education initiatives and to support further programs for Broadway shows," according to press notes.

Students participating in Manhattan Theatre Club's In-School Education Programs will attend a matinee of Sheba March 5. The Family Matinee Series performance for Sheba will be held March 8. The Lincoln Center Theater's Open Stages program "provides economically disadvantaged junior high and high school students with an introduction to theatre by integrating the subjects and themes of a play or musical into classroom study." Later this season 1,000 students from 15 New York City high school will attend a performance of South Pacific.