Neil Simon to Receive Handel Medallion from Mayor Bloomberg

Mayor Michael Bloomberg will present the Handel Medallion to playwright Neil Simon at a reception at the Apollo Theatre on November 10. Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams will host the presentation, which will include appearances by Broadway stars Christine Baranski, Matthew Broderick, Robert Klein and Tony Roberts and a performance by the cast of the forthcoming Broadway revival of Hair.

The Handel Medallion is the highest official honor given by the City of New York and is presented for outstanding achievement in the arts. Named for the German-born composer George Friederic Handel, the award was established in 1959 on the 200th anniversary of his death.

In addition to Simon’s award, Mayor Bloomberg will present the 2008 Mayor’s Awards for Arts and Culture to Hair composer Galt MacDermot, the Alliance of Resident Theatres, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, choreographer Arthur Aviles, Dr. Sharon Dunn former Director of Arts Education, NYC Department of Education and Rush Arts Gallery & Corridor Gallery.

Simon’s many honors including a Broadway theater that bears his name include the distinction of being the only playwright to have had four Broadway productions running simultaneously. The Odd Couple 1965, Biloxi Blues 1985 and Lost in Yonkers 1991 garnered him Tony Awards for Best Play, and the latter received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.