Billy Porter to Be Honored at Huntington's 2017 Spotlight Spectacular

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots will be honored with the Wimberly Award at the Huntington Theatre Company's 2017 Spotlight Spectacular on Monday, April 24, at the Boston Center for the Arts. The annual event raises money to support the Huntington’s programs, including its youth, education, and community initiatives that reach more than 39,000 annually.

"Mayor Walsh is deeply committed to the arts in Boston," says the Huntington's managing director Michael Maso. "During his tenure, his office has worked to ensure that arts and culture remain a top priority in the city. Mayor Walsh played the critical role in helping the Huntington stay on Huntington Avenue and thanks to his leadership the Huntington will be continuing our work for generations to come. Everyone who cares about theater in Boston and the Huntington’s role in our cultural community is in his debt. It is a privilege to be able to honor him at the Spotlight Spectacular."

"Billy Porter has created magic on the Huntington’s stage with his sizzling remount of George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum in 2015 and with this season’s dynamic, expertly crafted Topdog/Underdog," added artistic director Peter DuBois. "Billy has proven that he is a man of boundless talent, and we are delighted to honor Billy’s work at the Huntington and his many contributions to the American theater community."

Additionally, the Gerard & Sherryl Cohen Award for Excellence will be presented to the Huntington's associate technical director Adam Godbout and manager of education operations Meg O’Brien.

The event will feature performances by Porter (Tony Award winner for his performance in Kinky Boots), Aimee Doherty (Sunday in the Park With George and A Little Night Music at the Huntington), Telly Leung (In Transit, Allegiance), and Ken Robinson (The Colored Museum at the Huntington).

For tickets and more information, click here.