Classical Theatre of Harlem to Honor Allen, French, Woodard

Billie Allen, Arthur French, and Alfre Woodard will be honored by the Classical Theatre of Harlem at their annual Benefit, which will be held at 6pm on Monday, February 27 at St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Avenue).

Allen will receive the Rose McClendon Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on Broadway in A Raisin in the Sun, Four Saints in Three Acts, and Blues for Mr. Charlie.
She recently directed CTH’s revival of Funnyhouse of a Negro, and starred in the show’s original production.

French will receive the Ira F. Aldridge Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre. He has appeared in numerous Broadway prodcutions, including Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Mule Bone. He was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company.

Woodard will receive the Josephine Premice Award for Sustained Excellence in the Theatre. She starred on Broadway in Drowning Crow. Woodard has won four Emmy Awards for her TV work, which includes Hill Street Blues and the television film Miss Evers Boys, and currently stars as Betty Applewhite on the hit series Desperate Housewives.

Tickets to the benefit, which includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and the awards ceremony, are $200 per person. They can be ordered by calling 212-868-4444.