Director Daniel Sullivan Wins 2007 "Mr. Abbott" Award for Lifetime Achievement

The Board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation has announced that director Daniel Sullivan will receive the 2007 "Mr. Abbott" Award for lifetime achievement in the American theater. The vote was unanimous, according to SSDC president Pamela Berlin. The award will be presented on March 26 at an invitation-only cocktail reception in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center.

Sullivan has been nominated for Tony Awards six times and was awarded the Tony for his direction of Proof in 2001. He is known for his development of new plays and has guided productions of works by the late Wendy Wasserstein, John Patrick Shanley, David Auburn, Jon Robin Baitz, Herb Gardner, David Lindsay-Abaireand many others. Last season, he directed Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole on Broadway and David Hare's Stuff Happens at the Public Theater. His work will be represented on Broadway this season with the Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming revival of Craig Lucas' Prelude to a Kiss.

From 1984-1997, Sullivan was the Artistic Director of the Seattle Repertory Theater and directed more than 60 productions. Next season he will serve as Acting Artistic Director of Manhattan Theatre Club when Lynne Meadow goes on sabbatical.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation presents the "Mr. Abbott" Award, named after the legendary George Abbott, annually. It is the only award given to a director and/or choreographer for sustained excellence as identified by his or her peers. Past recipients of the award have included Harold Prince, Jack O'Brien, Lynne Meadow, Lloyd Richards, Kathleen Marshall, Rob Marshall and Susan Stroman.