Congratulations to busy composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who will receive the York Theatre Company's 8th annual Oscar Hammerstein Award, June 2 at the theatre's home in St. Peter's Church in midtown Manhattan. The evening, with tickets ranging from $100-$500, will benefit the York, which has presented such musical revivals as No Way To Treat A Lady, Merrily We Roll Along and A Doll's Life.

Schwartz, the creator of Pippin, Godspell and The Magic Show, is also known for his recent work on the Disney animations, Pocahontas and The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.

Presenting the award to Schwartz will be composer and previous winner Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie), with entertainment for the benefit evening to be provided by Deborah Gibson, Terrence Mann, Sally Mayes, Alan Menken, Ken Page, Pamela Myers, Cass Morgan, Alix Korey, and the Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus.

For more information (including an interview) on Schwartz, please see the Playbill On-Line feature story, "Stephen Schwartz On Cabaret, On Egypt & On The Air."

Founded by Janet Hayes Walker, the Hammerstein Award, for lifetime achievement in musical theatre, has honored such notables as Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim, Cy Coleman and Harold Prince.

For tickets and information on the gala, call (212) 935-5820.

--By David Lefkowitz