Rabe and Stuhlbarg Honored with Equity's Callaway Award

Lily Rabe and Michael Stuhlbarg have been selected to receive this year's Joe A. Callaway Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation. The announcement was made by Arne Gundersen, President of the Foundation.

Ms. Rabe was recognized for her performance in the role of Ellie Dunn on Broadway in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House, which will conclude its limited engagement this Sunday, December 17th. She made her Broadway debut in 2005 in the Broadway production of Steel Magnolias, for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination. TV credits include Law & Order: CI and Law & Order: SVU. Films include Mona Lisa Smile, Never Again and, upcoming, Aftermath, A Crime and No Reservations. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times has said, "Lily Rabe is fast becoming an invaluable asset to the New York stage."

Mr. Stuhlbarg was cited for his role in The Voysey Inheritance, David Mamet's adaptation of the classic 1905 Harley Granville-Barker play, produced by the Atlantic Theatre Company. The play has recently been extended through January 21, 2007. Mr. Stuhlbarg received a Tony Award nomination as well as Drama Desk and Drama League Awards for his appearance on Broadway in The Pillowman. Other Broadway shows include The Invention of Love, Cabaret, Taking Sides, Saint Joan, Timon of Athens and The Government Inspector. John Heilpern of the New York Observer has said, "Without question, Michael Stuhlbarg – in his quiet way – is one of the finest actors in America – he brings a whole world to the stage."

The award, a $1,000 check plus an engraved plaque for each recipient, honors the best performances in a professional production of a classic play (one written prior to 1920) in the New York metropolitan area. It was established by Equity member Joe A. Callaway to encourage participation in the classics and non-profit theatre.

The award will be presented at Equity's Eastern Regional Membership Meeting at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2007 at the Equity offices, 165 West 46th Street, New York.

The Judges' Panel for the award included Adam Feldman, Time Out NY; Harry Haun, staff writer, Playbill Magazine; Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press and David Rosenberg, Back Stage.

Previous recipients include: Philip Bosco (currently appearing with Ms Rabe in Heartbreak House), Laura Linney, Frank Langella, Liev Schreiber and Kate Burton.