Jerry Herman and Phyllis Newman Among Special Tony Award Winners

The Tony Awards administrative committee has announced the honorees for the four non-competitive categories which will be presented at the 2009 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7 at Radio City Music Hall and aired live on CBS-TV. The 2009 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing. Nominations in the competitive categories will be announced on Tuesday, May 5.

The 2009 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to two-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. His many shows include Hello, Dolly!, Mame, Mack & Mabel, and La Cage aux Folles.

The 2009 Regional Theatre Award will be awarded to the Signature Theatre of Arlington, Virginia. It’s accompanied by a gift of $25,000 from VISA, USA. The 20-year-old theater, run by artistic director Eric Schaeffer, is known for its bold productions of challenging new and established works, including its current world premiere production of the musical Giant.

The recipient of the newly created Isabelle Stevenson Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, will go to actress Phyllis Newman. Over the past 12 years, The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative of The Actor’s Fund of America has raised more than $3.5 million dollars that has helped to serve 2,500 women in the entertainment industry.

Finally, veteran publicist Shirley Herz will receive the Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. Herz has been a press agent on more than 200 shows over a 50-year career.

For more information, visit www.tonyawards.com.