Prospect Musicals has announced the recipients of its fourth annual Muse Awards, who will be celebrated at the company's 2026 gala.

The Gala and Muse Award celebration, set for May 4 at the Edison Ballroom, will honor Tony-winning actor and producer LaChanze (The Color Purple, Trouble in Mind); Tony-winning producer Ken Davenport (Kinky Boots, Once On This Island); Tony-winning actor Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, Merrily We Roll Along) and Kleban Prize-winning writer Ryan Scott Oliver (Jasper in Deadland, 35mm: A Musical Exhibition); and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated theatrical producer Jose Antonio Vargas (What the Constitution Means to Me, Here Lies Love).

Established in 2022, the Prospect Muse Award honors those who inspire Prospect’s artists through their "positive and profound contributions within the theatre community and the world at large," according to press notes. 

“Prospect is honored to celebrate our 2026 Muses and their incredible impact,” said Producing Artistic Director Cara Reichel in a statement. “The extraordinary passion and purpose they have shared with the theatre community and beyond is a true inspiration.”

Prospect Musicals’ Gala Committee Co-Chairs are Jane Abramson and Tira Harpaz, and the Gala Committee includes Liz Casasola and Jason Ma. 

The evening will include cocktails, dinner, and entertainment from special guests to be announced.

Over more than 25 years, Prospect Musicals has mounted full productions of nearly 40 new musicals and presented hundreds of concerts, readings, and developmental labs, affirming the organization’s place as one of NYC’s foremost incubators of new musical theatre talent. The company has also produced new plays and numerous "revisals" and re-inventions of classic works. Prospect recently launched a residency at NYC’s Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Visit ProspectMusicals.org.