The awards, which recognize "individuals and/or organizations that have made significant contributions to the life of the theatre," are co-chaired by Tony-winning Broadway couple Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley.

This year's recipients include radio and television personality Joe Franklin, who will be presented with the Theatre Museum's Career Achievement Award; "Broadway: The Golden Age" filmmaker Rick McKay, who will receive the Award of Excellence for Theatre History Preservation (Individual); The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana, which will be honored with the Award of Excellence for Theatre History Preservation (Organization); and Five Towns College, which will receive the Award for Excellence in Theatre Arts Education.

Presenters for the evening include Tony winner Barbara Cook (for Rick McKay), comedian Pat Copper (for Joe Franklin), composer Ervin Drake (for Five Towns College) and Professor William Green of CUNY Queens College (for The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana).

The evening begins at 6 PM with cocktails and silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 PM and the awards ceremony at 8 PM. Tony Walton directs the evening, which features musical direction by Aaron Gandy and music from the restored score for Rodgers and Hart's Spring Is Here.

In a previous statement Museum president Helen Marie Guditis said, "The Theatre Museum is proud to have the opportunity to recognize a diverse array of recipients this year. Each, in a uniquely different way, has made a significant contribution to theatre arts and the principles and goals of our organization." Five Towns College, which was founded by Dr. Stanley G. Cohen and the late Mrs. Lorraine Kleinman-Cohen in 1969, is a community of "artists and scholars who specialize in music, media, business, education, theatre, film and the performing arts."

Officially opened in 1973, the Iowa-based Museum of Repertoire Americana is "dedicated to preserving memorabilia and artifacts of early repertoire theatre. The collection, featuring materials dating from the 1880s through the 1970s, includes numerous painted curtains and scenic pieces, Playbills, show cards, advertising sheets, heralds, photographs, programs, correspondence, tour schedules and other original source materials."

Founded in 2003, the Theatre Museum is a non-profit museum dedicated to the history of theatre. It does not have a permanent home, but presents exhibitions in collaboration with other cultural institutions.