Sir Tim Rice to Receive Special Honor at 2012 Olivier Awards

Three-time Tony Award-winning British lyricist Tim Rice will receive the Special Award at the 2012 Olivier Awards as a "celebration of his outstanding contribution to musical theater." The ceremony, hosted by Sweeney Todd co-stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, will be held on April 15 at the Royal Opera House in London. 

Rice won two Tony Awards for his work on Evita and one for Aida. His other works include Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Chess, Beauty and the Beast and long-running hit The Lion King. He collaborated with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, revivals of which are both currently in previews on Broadway. They also worked together to write new additional songs for the London revival of The Wizard of Oz. Rice is currently working on adapting the 1953 film From Here to Eternity into a stage musical. 

As well as winning an Oscar, Golden Globe, Tony and Grammy Awards, Rice has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and was made a Knight Bachelor in 1994.