New Dramatists honor Horton Foote

Spring Luncheon set for May 19

By DAVID ROONEY

Foote

The late playwright and screenwriter Horton Foote will be honored with the 2009 lifetime achievement award at New Dramatists' 60th annual Spring Luncheon tribute, taking place May 19 at the New York Marriot Marquis.

The playwright development org each year pays tribute to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the American theater. Foote's "Dividing the Estate" played a well-received Broadway run earlier this season and his condensed adaptation of the nine plays that make up "The Orphans' Home Cycle" will be presented at Hartford Stage late this summer, before transferring to Off Broadway's Signature Theater.

This marks the first time the New Dramatists nod has been awarded posthumously. Foote died in March at age 92.