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The Writers Guild of America, East honors Albee during its 62nd annual ceremony at the Hudson Theatre. The award was created in the memory of former guild executive director Burkey, who dedicated her professional life to supporting writers.



Longtime Albee producer Elizabeth Ireland McCann and Bill Irwin (Tony Award for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) will present the award.

"In both word and deed, Edward Albee has lived a life of letters that distinguishes writers wherever they may be. He would be a notable recipient of the Burkey Award for his body of work alone, but in addition, through his Edward F. Albee Foundation and its William Flanagan Center, Mr. Albee has encouraged and honored the creativity of countless others toiling in all aspects of the arts," said Writers Guild of America, East president Michael Winship in a statement.

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Edward Albee's work includes his Tony Award-winning dramas Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? He received Tony nominations for The Ballad of the Sad Café, Tiny Alice, A Delicate Balance, Seascape, and was awarded a Tony for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. His plays A Delicate Balance, Three Tall Women and Seascape were each awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Albee has also been honored with the Gold Medal in Drama from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.

The Los Angeles component of the WGA Awards is also presented on Feb. 20 in Los Angeles. For tickets to the New York event, phone (212) 767-7812 or visit WGAEast.org.

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Turner's agent confirmed the actress is in negotiations to star in the premiere of Matthew Lombardo's three-hander, "High," which is expected to bow in June at a theater yet to be announced, followed by several other venues.

There is also commercial attachment to the project, according to the playwright, whose "Looped," starring Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead, begins Broadway performances Friday and opens next month.

"Looped" helmer Rob Ruggiero will direct "High," which centers on a nun and the 19-year-old drug addict she is trying to help. The third character is a priest who runs the treatment facility.

Turner's Rialto credits include "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Graduate." She also directed a revival of Beth Henley's "Crimes of the Heart" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and then Off Broadway.

Her screen roles include "Body Heat," "Romancing the Stone," "War of the Roses," "Prizzi's Honor," "Peggy Sue Got Married," "Serial Mom" and "Marley and Me." On TV she had returning roles in "Friends" and "Californication."

Along with "Looped," Lombardo scripted the one-hander "Tea at Five" about Katharine Hepburn. Kate Mulgrew toplined a 2003 Off Broadway production that has since toured other venues.