Broadway smash “Hadestown” lead producer Dale Franzen to receive Basie Awards Lifetime Achievement honors

 Annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre to celebrate producer behind the season’s most-celebrated show on Broadway

The Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced that Dale Franzen, one of the lead producers of the Broadway smash Hadestown, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during its 14th annual Basie Awards ceremony on May 22, 2019.

Dale Franzen
Dale Franzen

“From the beginning of my career as an opera singer, to the present as a Broadway producer, I have always believed deeply in arts education and how it can transform and change lives,” says Franzen, a producer of Hadestown since the show began its road to becoming Broadway’s hottest ticket, yielding 14 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

“As the mother of three, one who is now a professional musician and two who thrived in their own high school drama programs, I have seen firsthand how music and the performing arts can reveal to young people their inner confidence and build discipline which is essential to success in any career. I applaud the Basie Center for its leadership and stewardship in high school arts education.”

“We are so excited to give this award and recognition to an amazing arts leader, says Adam Philipson, President / CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Dale has dedicated her life to the arts from being a performer to building performance arts centers to building a successful Broadway show with Hadestown.”

“Arts leaders such as Ms. Franzen are why youth in our country have the opportunity and the inspiration to forge a life dedicated to expressing one’s creativity.  I am honored to call her a colleague, a friend and a mentor.”

The BASIE AWARDS began in 2005 as a way to honor and recognize high school-level actors, actresses and productions in the Monmouth County area. This year, a record 22 dramas and 29 musical performances were evaluated by the BASIE AWARDS nomination committee, which produced nominations for students, productions and schools in various acting and production categories. A complete list of nominees is available here.

Tickets for the Basie Awards are on sale now.