Photo Flash

Musical-Theater Writers Sam Carner and Sam Willmott Receive 2015 Kleban Prizes

The honors were presented in a ceremony on June 22.

| New York City |

June 23, 2015

Sam Carner and Sam Willmott are this year's Kleban Prize recipients.
(© Kristin Goehring)

The Kleban Foundation presented the 25th annual Kleban Prizes to musical-theater writers Sam Willmott and Sam Carner at a private ceremony on June 22.

Matt Aument and Tony Sheldon flank Kleban Prize recipient Sam Willmott.
(© Kristin Goehring)

Kleban Prize winners are selected by judging panels composed of theater artists and administrators. The judges making the final determination this year were Tony-nominated actor Kerry Butler (Clinton the Musical); multi-arts presenter, artistic director, creative consultant, theater producer, and manager Wiley Hausam; and Oscar winner and Tony Award-nominated composer David Shire (Big).

Stephen Christopher Anthony, Emily Rogers, and Derek Gregor celebrate Kleban Prize winner Sam Carner.
(© Kristin Goehring)

The Kleban Foundation was established in 1988 under the will of Edward L. Kleban, best known as the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist of the musical A Chorus Line. Kleban's will made provisions for two annual prizes, which in recent years have totaled $100,000 each, payable over two years, to be given to the most promising lyricist and librettist in American Musical Theatre.