Harvey Fierstein will receive the 2025 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Fierstein has won four Tony Awards, including two for Torch Song Trilogy, the 1982 play he wrote and made his Broadway debut in, which broke ground for its portrayal of gay culture, including the protaganist’s longing to have a family, and its inclusion of topics including gay marriage, adoption and bisexuality.
He also won Tony Awards for writing the best book of a musical for La Cage Aux Folles and best actor in a musical for Hairspray, where he originated the role of Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad.
Fierstein also wrote the book for the Tony Award winning musical Kinky Boots as well as Newsies and wrote Casa Valentina, A Catered Affair, Safe Sex, Bella Bella!, Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, Common Ground and more. He also revised the book for the recent Broadway revival of Funny Girl.
“Harvey Fierstein’s contributions to the American theatre, both as an artist and activist, represent an extraordinary legacy,” said Heather Hitchens, president & CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League. “We are thrilled to honor him with this year’s Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Award and can’t wait to celebrate one of our icons at the Tony Awards on June 8th.”
In addition to his theater career, Fierstein wrote a memoir, I Was Better Last Night, and has appeared in a number of films, including Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day and Bros.
The Tony Awards are scheduled to take place June 8 at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and on Paramount+.
Prior recipients of the lifetime achievement award have included Carol Channing, Graciela Daniele, Joel Gray, Jane Greenwood, Sheldon Harnick, Julie Harris, Rosemary Harris, Jerry Herman, James Earl Jones, John Kander, Angela Lansbury, Marshall W. Mason, Terrence McNally, Jack O’Brien, Harold Prince, Chita Rivera, Marian Seldes, Stephen Sondheim, Tommy Tune, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Harold Wheeler and George C. Wolfe.
#Harvey #Fierstein #Receive #Tony #Award #Lifetime #Achievement
