Tom Viertel’s career as a theatrical producer spans three decades, and the O’Neill Theater Center awarded the talented visionary with a Monte Cristo Award at the Edison Ballroom, fittingly located in Times Square – the heart of New York City’s Broadway scene.
Tom, who has served as the Chair of the Board at The O’Neill Theater, was surrounded by love, in a room full of Broadway actors, producers and writers, and many of them collaborated with him during his illustrious career. When the theatrical producer began his role at the theater, he changed the game and spearheaded the organization into greater success, which featured a second Tony Award, and the National Medal of the Arts Award, which was personally presented to Tom and his dedicated colleagues by President Obama himself. Tom also inspired the next generation of actors, and puppeteers, through the massive extension of O’Neill Theater’s campus, which doubled it’s size to allow for more artists to join in on the training.
During the lovely dinner reception, guests were serenaded by actors and singers Casey Likes, Brenda Braxton, Julia Murney, Brad Oscar, Marilyn Maye, and the trio of Kerry Butler, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Laura Bell Bundy. Besides Tom accepting his much-deserved award, one of my favorite moments was Tom’s younger brother Jack introducing him. It was a precious and wholesome moment of support in front of a room full of Tom’s admirers, who graciously thanked the legend for his lifelong dedication to the arts.