Sat Feb 11 2012
President Barrack Obama praised Frankfort native George C. Wolf at a White House tribute to Broadway.
“I want to thank George Wolfe for his time, energy and leadership he has given to this event,” the president said last week to the award winning director and producer who was seated in the front of the audience.
He, along with Margo Lion, who is co-chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, was instrumental in organizing the Taste of Broadway Event, the sixth in the series of “Music That Helped Shape America.”
Wolfe also serves on the President’s Committee along with notables Forest Whitaker, Yo-Yo Ma and Sarah Jessica Parker. First lady Michelle Obama serves as honorary chair of the committee.
Obama also paid tribute to the power and passion that Broadway music brings to American culture.
The Frankfort High School graduate and former Kentucky State University student has earned three Tony Awards for direction including “The Tempest” starring Patrick Stewart. “Jelly’s Last Jam” about the life of Jelly Roll Morton received 11 Tony nominations including best director, which Wolfe won.
He also earned a Tony for best direction for “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk,” which he co-created with dancer Savon Glover.
Wolfe was the first person of color to win an award for directing what Broadway considered a “white” play.
He earned the Tony for directing the highly acclaimed AIDS drama, “Angels in America: The Millennium Approach.”
Wolfe, who lives in New York, is the son of the late Costello and Dr. Anna Lindsey Wolfe, former teacher and principal in the Frankfort city schools.
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