The League of American Theatres and Producers announced the honorees of the prestigious League Awards on April 16 as part of the kick-off event to the League’s 2007 Spring Road Conference (April 17-19). Started in 1992, the League Awards recognize the contributions of those in the Broadway industry that go “above and beyond” and are considered innovators of their craft.

Atlanta’s Christopher B. Manos, celebrated arts advocate, producer, and presenter, was bestowed the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award.  Now in his 47th year as the Producer of Theater of the Stars, a non-profit cultural organization that has presented to Atlanta some of the best in comedies and farces, dance and drama for over 50 years, Chris has produced or presented over 700 productions to audiences around the country and abroad. Past winners of the award include Broadway legends Jerry Herman, Carol Channing, and Fran & Barry Weissler.

"I am deeply moved to receive this award from the League," Manos enthused.  "Theatre is my passion and I have been blessed to work for more than 50 years in an industry which supports and nurtures that passion.   I extend my heartfelt thanks to my peers who bestowed this great honor upon me."   

The League of American Theatres and Producers also presented the following awards:

Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management (Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award) was given to Gina Vernaci, Vice President of Theatricals at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square Foundation, for demonstrating excellence in management over the past year.

Outstanding Achievement in Road Marketing was given to Leslie Butler, Senior Marketing Director of Louisville’s Broadway Across America Midwest Theatrical, for demonstrating quantitatively successful marketing results in the touring Broadway community over the past year.

Star of Touring Broadway Awards, which are designed to honor board members, politicians, donors and volunteers who have given support “beyond the call of duty” to promote and enrich the Broadway Series in their hometowns, were given to:

• O. Paul Corley, Jr. - nominated by Michael Jenkins of Dallas Summer Musicals in Dallas, Texas. Paul was chosen for his outstanding dedication to Dallas Summer Musicals and his conviction to volunteer. He’s always there to lend encouragement to the staff and inspire friends, family, and co-workers to become involved with the organization.
• Sprint - nominated by Robert M. Rohlf of Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. Sprint was honored for outstanding corporate philanthropy in supporting Starlight Theatre for more than twenty years. In 2003, the company became the sponsor of the theatre’s entire summer Broadway season. 

The 2007 League Awards ceremony was sponsored by Chase.

###

About The League of American Theatres and Producers

The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., founded in 1930 as the League of New York Theatres and operating under the “Live Broadway” trademark, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in 240 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and across the U.S. and Canada.

Visit our website at http://www.livebroadway.com.

Press Contacts:

Alan Cohen, Director of Communications, League of American Theatres & Producers, Inc.
(212) 703-0225, (917) 533-9050 - cell, acohen@broadway.org

Erica Ryan, Communications Department, League of American Theatres & Producers, Inc.
(212) 703-0221, (917) 771-3896 - cell, eryan@broadway.org