Fierstein wrote the book and co-stars in A Catered Affair, adapted from a teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky, who was one of the original resident playwrights of New Dramatists in 1949. Fierstein made his professional debut at La Mama in Andy Warhol's only play, Pork. Following 60 off-off-Broadway appearances, including several plays he authored, his Torch Song Trilogy opened in 1980, ultimately making it to Broadway in 1982, winning him two Tony Awards. Fierstein, who won his third Tony for the book of La Cage aux Folles, also wrote Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Legs Diamond. He received his fourth Tony for his performance as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and went on to play Tevye in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. He was recently inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
Each year, New Dramatists salutes an individual who has made an outstanding artistic contribution to the American theater. Past luncheon honorees have included Edward Albee, Chita Rivera, Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, Julie Andrews, Glenn Close, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Miller, Neil Simon, Jerry Herman, Terrence McNally, Barbara Cook, John Kander & Fred Ebb, August Wilson, George C. Wolfe and Gwen Verdon.