Tony-winning directors George C. Wolfe and Jack O’Brien will each receive the 2024 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theater next month, Tony administrators announced today.
“Honoring these two gentlemen for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the theater is not only a recognition of their innate talent and dedication, but also a recognition of the brilliant work of a lifetime,” said Jason Laks, Interim President of the Broadway League.
“With credits like Hairspray And The invention of love“Jack O’Brien has demonstrated amazing diversity, skill and passion throughout his distinguished career,” Laks said. “In his 25-year role as artistic director of the Old Globe Theater, he also leaves a lasting legacy of strengthening the relationship between the commercial and nonprofit worlds.”
Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theater Wing, said Wolfe’s “outstanding contributions as a playwright, director, producer and artistic director, including his unforgettable direction of productions such as…” Angels in America: Millennium Approaches And Bring some noise in there, bring some funk in therehave left a lasting impression on the audience. Beyond his tremendous commitment to storytelling, throughout his illustrious career he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion that has transformed culture and strengthened the theater community.”
O’Brien was nominated for a Tony last year for his direction on “Shucked” and has won three Tonys for his direction on “Shucked.” Hairspray, Henry IV, And The Coast of Utopia. Other Broadway credits include Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, Carousel, The Front Page, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, It’s Only a Play, Macbeth, The Nance, Dead Accounts, Catch Me If You Can, Impressionism, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Invention of Love, The Full Monty, two Shakespearean actors And Porgy and betteramong others.
Writer, director and producer Wolfe’s extensive career has earned him three Tony Awards (Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, And Elaine Stritch at Liberty). From 1993 to 2005 he was a producer of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival and directed and co-wrote the HBO film The immortal life of Henrietta lacks the Lackawanna blues. He directed for Netflix Ma Rainey’s black ass and last Rustin.
The 77th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Sunday, June 16, on CBS and stream on Paramount+.