Director and playwright David Lan, the former artistic director of the Young Vic, will be presented with the Special Award at the Olivier Awards April 8 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Catherine Tate will host.
The award recognizes his contribution in leading the Young Vic since 2000, his work within the local community around the theatre, and his commitment to internationalism and diversity. Lan stepped down as artistic director of the Young Vic earlier this year after leading the company for almost two decades.
Past recipients of the Special Award include Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Sondheim, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen.
Lan was also recently recognized for his services to the theatre by the London Critics Circle.
The London cast of Hamilton will open the 42nd annual Olivier Awards ceremony with a special performance of the show's opening number. The West End production of the Lin-Manuel Miranda juggernaut received a record-breaking 13 nominations earlier this month. Also set to perform are two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera and Groundhog Day Olivier winner Andy Karl.
Read: WEST END HAMILTON MAKES OLIVIER AWARDS HISTORY WITH 13 NOMINATIONS
Rivera will perform West Side Story's “Somewhere” with Karl, Adam J. Bernard (Olivier winner for his performance in Dreamgirls), and the Arts Educational Schools London Choir to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the American musical debuting in London. Rivera originated the role of Anita in both the original Broadway and London stagings of the Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents classic.
The 50th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will also be celebrated. Past stars of the musical—including Jason Donovan and Linzi Hateley, Lee Mead and Preeya Kalidas, and Joe McElderry and Danielle Hope—will perform.
Other scheduled performances include John McCrea and the cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Sheila Atim and the cast of Girl From The North Country, Lesley Joseph and the cast of Young Frankenstein, Tracie Bennett from Follies, and the cast of 42nd Street.
In addition to the ITV telecast, the Oliviers will also be broadcast worldwide on the Olivier Awards Facebook page.
The awards will continue its partnership with Magic Radio, who will broadcast the entire show live April 8, hosted by Alice Arnold and Olivier Award winner Ruthie Henshall. Sirius XM will broadcast the show via radio in the U.S.
