ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL ASOLO LUMINARY AWARD HONORING PLAYWRIGHT KEN LUDWIG
ASOLO REP AND JEWISH FEDERATION PARTNER TO HOST THE FIRST ANNUAL ASOLO LUMINARY AWARD HONORING PLAYWRIGHT KEN LUDWIG
(Sarasota, FL) – Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee are proud to announce their partnership to host the First Annual Asolo Luminary Award, sponsored by Joel and Gail Morganroth, to take place on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 7:00pm at The Ora.
We are thrilled to welcome one of the most produced and celebrated playwrights of our generation, Ken Ludwig as the inaugural recipient of the Asolo Luminary Award - an annual celebration that brings you face-to-face with the most distinguished minds and hearts in the world of theatre and beyond. Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration with the creative genius behind acclaimed works such as Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy for You, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, and Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Mr. Ludwig’s newest play Lady Molly of Scotland Yard will have its area premiere at Asolo Rep this coming January. Known for his mastery of comedic timing and captivating storytelling, Mr. Ludwig has charmed audiences worldwide and has earned countless awards for his contributions to theatre.
“At Asolo Rep, we strive to celebrate community, and this goes beyond our stage. This inaugural celebration will be the launch of something truly special: bringing the brightest luminaries of the American Theatre to Sarasota and giving the unique opportunity for our community to have an inside look at their creative processes and inspiring careers,” stated Peter Rothstein, Producing Artistic Director.
Shepard Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation, commented, "This partnership with Asolo Rep, exemplifies the Federation’s commitment to enriching Jewish life through collaborations with Sarasota's premier cultural leaders. Hosting seminal conversations, like this one with Ken Ludwig, was a key goal in our decision to build The Ora, our new state-of-art event center, furthering our role in strengthening our community's cultural fabric."
At this special event, Ludwig will share stories from his illustrious career, discuss his creative process, and explore how he crafts his memorable characters and dynamic stories. Guests will also have the chance to engage with Mr. Ludwig during a live Q&A session, gaining an exclusive look into the mind and heart of one of America’s foremost playwrights.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with Ken Ludwig and celebrate his remarkable contributions to the stage. Reserve your seat and join us for an inspiring evening as we launch the Asolo Luminary Award.
Tickets to this inaugural celebration are available now by contacting the Asolo Repertory Development Office at (941).351.9010 x 4714 or AsoloRep.org. Tickets for the event are $25 for general admission or VIP seating for $125. VIP ticketholders will receive priority seating, as well as a private, post-event cocktail hour with Mr. Ludwig.
The Ora is located at 578 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota FL 34232. Parking for the event is FREE.
ABOUT KEN LUDWIG
Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged throughout the United States and around the world every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire.
His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, was produced in London and on Broadway, winning two Tony Awards. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. Since its European premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express has had hundreds of international productions.
In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot; Shakespeare in Hollywood; and Moriarty.
ABOUT THE JEWISH FEDERATION
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, strives to strengthen Jewish life and identity in the region, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel.
One of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the United States, offering exciting programming and events where Jews of all ages can connect and engage with their culture and their peers in a safe, secure environment. The Jewish Federations provides education grants, lead mission trips to Israel, work to fight antisemitism, and provide financial support to community organizations whose work aligns with the mission and values.
The Jewish Federation is focused on building the foundation for a strong, vibrant, secure Jewish future here in Sarasota-Manatee.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 66th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. Asolo Rep produces a wide range of work each season, including classics, contemporary drama, large-scale musicals, and world premieres. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre-makers working in the industry today, and cultivating the next generation of artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the new leadership of Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and Managing Director Ross Egan, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings, commitment to new work, and ground-breaking education and engagement programs, ensure the company’s lasting legacy for future generations. Visit www.asolorep.org to learn more.
KEN LUDWIG FULL BIO
Author
Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged throughout the United States and around the world every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire.
His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, was produced on Broadway and in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in the West End and is currently touring Japan. Since its European premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express has had hundreds of international productions.
In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the Kennedy Center Honors. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot; Shakespeare in Hollywood; and Moriarty. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins, and Kristin Bell.
His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, has been a bestseller and is out this year in a new, expanded edition. It won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year. His essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review, and he gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in July 2022. His most recent world premieres were Lend Me A Soprano and Moriarty, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley, Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, Beginner’s Luck, and Easter Parade.
He has been commissioned to write plays by Agatha Christie Limited, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic.
For more information visit www.KenLudwig.com.