Tony Award for Philanthropy

Next year’s Tonys will feature a new award honoring the philanthropic efforts of a member of the theater community. The noncompetitive Isabelle Stevenson Award, named for the former president of the American Theater Wing, who died in 2003, will be offered for the first time at the 2009 awards. It will go to someone “who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations,” according to a statement from the American Theater Wing, which presents the Tonys with the Broadway League. The 2009 Tonys will take place at Radio City Music Hall on June 7.