The 2016 prizes was presented Feb. 8 in a private ceremony hosted by ASCAP and BMI at ASCAP.
The Kleban Foundation was established in 1988 under the will of Edward L. Kleban, best known as the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist of the musical A Chorus Line. Kleban's will made provisions for two annual prizes, which in recent years have totaled $100,000 each, payable over two years, to be given to the most promising lyricist and librettist in American Musical Theatre. The award, according to press notes, is "bestowed not just for an artist's previous achievements, but for the promise of creativity to come."
Luftig's musicals have included My Heart Is the Drum. Goldstein co-wrote Unknown Soldier and directed the 2011 Broadway revival of Godspell.
Previous winners of the Kleban Award have included Jason Robert Brown and Avenue Q writers Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.
"The Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre has been one of the theatre's most distinctive honors," stated Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr., president of the Kleban Foundation at the 2015 awards. "At a time of year when so many theatre awards recognize the best of the past season, The Kleban Prize distinguishes itself by looking to the future. With a uniquely generous endowment, The Kleban Prize celebrates and supports some of the theatre's most promising writers. The Kleban Foundation is proud to carry Ed Kleban's legacy into the 21st century, having fostered over 60 emerging artists when they need support the most—when starting out."
The application window for the 2017 Kleban Prize will open April 15 and close May 15 at 6 PM ET. Guidelines for applying are available to view on New Dramatists' website.
