This year, Roundabout inaugurated the Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre. The award was created to commemorate the longstanding relationship between Jason Robards and the Roundabout Theatre Company and to recognize the contributions of a professional whose life’s work has made an indelible impact on the theatre world. Mr. Robards performed in many Roundabout productions over the years and served on the company’s Board of Directors.
At a Gala celebration on April 22 hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the first Jason Robards Award was presented to stage, screen and television legend Christopher Plummer. Mr. Plummer and Mr. Robards were long-time friends and fellow artists and had appeared on Roundabout’s stage in a legendary revival of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land during the 1993-94 season.
Among the many highlights of the evening, the Jason Robards Award, designed and sculpted by Arthur Carter, was presented to Mr. Plummer by fellow theatre legend and Honorary Chair Julie Andrews. An additional award was presented to Mr. Robards’ wife Lois and Honorary Chair Robert Redford spoke of the profound influence that Jason Robards’ work had on his career. The Gala was a great success for Roundabout thanks to event co-chairs Mary Cirillo and Bill Haber with the support of vice-chairs Leslie Bains and Philip Geier.
