Aaron Tveit and Quincy Tyler Bernstine Win 2009 Clarence Derwent Awards

Aaron Tveit of Next to Normal and Quincy Tyler Bernstine of Ruined have won the 2009 Clarence Derwent Awards, presented each year by Actors’ Equity Foundation to “the most promising female and male performers on the New York metropolitan scene.” They will receive $2,000 and a crystal trophy at a June ceremony during Equity’s Eastern Regional Board meeting.

Tveit originated the role of Gabe, the son of a mentally ill mother, in last season's off-Broadway production of Next to Normal and is currently appearing in the musical's Broadway production. His other Broadway credits include Wicked and Hairspray, and he appeared in the off-Broadway musical Saved. Tveit will play Frank Abagnale Jr. in the pre-Broadway run of Catch Me If You Can this summer in Seattle and can be seen in the movie Ghost Town and in a recurring role in TV’s Gossip Girl.

Bernstine was honored for her performance in Ruined as Salina, a Congolese wife and mother abducted from her home by rebel soldiers and forced to become a prostitute. The play, which recently won the Pulitzer Prize, continues its run at Manhattan Theater Club Stage I at New York City Center. Bernstine’s off-Broadway credits include The Misanthrope and A Small, Melodramatic Story. Film and TV credits include. Rachel Getting Married, Chappelle’s Show and Law & Order.

The Clarence Derwent Awards were established in 1944 by Derwent, a former president of Equity. Zoe Kazan and Michael Esper were last year’s winners.