Kenny Ortega to Receive Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award

Director/choreographer Kenny Ortega will receive the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award when the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards are presented on June 7 in a ceremony at the the Gerald Lynch Theater at John Jay College. Lee Roy Reams will direct the event, which will also serve as a benefit for Career Transitions for Dancers.

Ortega, as preciously announced, will be directing the film version of In the Heights. Most recently, he directed the Michael Jackson documentary, This Is It, and served as creative director for Jackson’s memorial. Among his other screen directing credits are the High School Musical films. Additionally, he choreographed Dirty Dancing.

In addition to the award presentation, the evening will include special performances by singer Robin Cofer and Ronald K. Brown’s acclaimed Evidence Dance Company, as well as a special tribute to Ortega and a piece for Reams and the ladies who once danced with Mr. Astaire.

The performance and awards ceremony will be preceded by a VIP reception. In addition, an after party with the winners and nominees will follow.

For tickets and information, call 212-595-0925 or email: Patricia_Watt@msn.com.