Stephen Sondheim to Receive 2011 Olivier Special Award

In recognition of his contribution to the London theater, legendary musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim will receive the 2011 Olivier Special Award. The Olivier Awards, the most prestigious honor in London theater, will be presented in a March 13 ceremony at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The Special Award, chosen by the board of the Society of London Theatre, has been awarded to 24 recipients over the years, including Sir Alec Guinness, Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Sam Mendes, Sir Peter Hall and Lord Laurence Olivier himself.

As previously announced, this year’s awards will be hosted by Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, who will co-star in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival Theatre in September.

The awards ceremony, which will be broadcast live on the BBC, will feature highlights from nominated musicals like Fela!, Legally Blonde, Love Never Dies and Sondheim favorites Into the Woods and Passion. Presenters for the evening will include Elisabeth Moss, Patrick Stewart and Matthew Fox, and the ceremony will conclude with a unique tribute to Sondheim by performers including Adrian Lester, who starred in Sondheim’s Company on the West End, and other surprise guests.