Schuster Honored With National Theater Award

By Terry Morris Staff Writer

DAYTON — Dayton cardiologist and arts patron Dr. Benjamin Schuster has been honored by the Broadway League with its 2008 Star of Touring Broadway Award.

The annual honor goes to an individual who has made a significant impact on touring Broadway shows in a local market.

Schuster and his late wife, Marian, were leading donors in building the Schuster Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2003 and just finished selling out a run of the musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot” on Sunday, April 27.

The 2008 Touring Broadway Awards were presented during the Broadway League’s annual spring road conference in New York. The organization has members in more than 240 cities.

“Spamalot” was also a winner — for best new touring production

So was “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz, for best score.

Other winners included: Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Men,” for best touring play; “The Lion King,” for best long-running musical; “Wicked,” in a rerun from last year, for touring Broadway audience favorite; “My Fair Lady,” for production design; and “The Drowsy Chaperone,” for choreography (Casey Nicholaw).

Veteran performer Brad Little won the Touring Broadway Achievement Award.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDaily News.com.

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