Meehan Receives First Annual Helen Award, Sept. 26

Thomas Meehan, who most recently won a Tony Award for his Hairspray book, has been chosen as the recipient of the first annual "Helen" Award, which will be presented to him at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company's Gala 10 on Sunday, September 26th at 6 PM.  The company is located in Nyack, New York.

Olympia Dukakis, Rupert Holmes, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford, Didi Conn, David Shire, Laura Bell Bundy, Annie collaborator Charles Strouse, and Loni Ackerman will all be on hand to salute Meehan, as will the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, who will regale him with excerpts from recent shows.

Meehan also received Tony Awards for his books to The Producers (co-written with Mel Brooks) and to Annie.  He also penned the sequel to the latter--the short-lived Annie Warbucks, which ran off-Broadway.  His other credits as a librettist include Bombay Dreams, Ain't Broadway Grand and I Remember Mama, which featured music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Annie lyricist/director Martin Charnin.  As a screenwriter, he was worked on two Brooks hits--To Be or Not to Be and Spaceballs.  Both The Producers and Hairspray are upcoming feature films as well.

Tickets to the Helen Hayes gala are $250, which includes a black-tie cocktail reception. For reservations, call 845-358-2847, ext. 32.  For more information, visit www.hhtco.org.