By Andrew Poretz . . . .

The 35th Annual Kleban Awards took place on February 3rd at ASCAP’s (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Manhattan headquarters. The award was founded posthumously by Edward Kleban (1939-1987), best remembered as the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning lyricist of A Chorus Line. His will established and funded the Kleban Foundation and the Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre, administered by New Dramatists. The awards, given each year to an emerging lyricist and librettist “of extraordinary promise,” gift each recipient $100,000, payable over two years.
At the hour-long ceremony, co-hosted by board members Maury Yeston and Richard Maltby, Jr., the recipients, librettist Madeline Myers and lyricist Benjamin Velez, each presented two of songs from their new musicals, both currently in development. Interestingly, before and after the ceremony, the piano, a Disklavier (the modern version of a player piano), played itself while guests mingled and took photos.
Introduction by Richard Maltby, Jr.:
Richard Maltby, Jr. presents the librettist award to Madeline Myers:
Co-host Maltby explained that 236 lyricists and 168 librettists submitted their work this year for consideration. The 20 finalists’ submissions were judged by choreographer and dancer Raja Feather Kelly, costume and scenic designer Clint Ramos, and producer Rachel Sussman.


Myers, whose “day job” is that of piano teacher, accompanied Bobby Conte and Alexandra Socha for two numbers from her Double Helix.
“What is Life” from Double Helix:
Velez presented two songs from his Borderline, the first sung by the excellent Jon-Michael Reese, while singer Jenny Rose Baker performed a fun romantic duet with Velez himself. Pianist Daniel Green accompanied both songs.
Here’s the duet number, “Wanna Go Out”:
After the ceremony, I briefly interviewed the winners about their writing process and the impact of these awards, as well as a asking Maltby for his thoughts about how such an award might have affected him when he was first making a name for himself. The piano music made for a noisy interview scenario.
Interviews with Benjamin Velez, Madeline Myers and Richard Maltby, Jr.:
The 2025 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre (February 3, 2025)
New Dramatists
ASCAP, 250 West 57th Street, in Manhattan
For information, visit www.newdramatists.org/kleban-prize-musical-theatre