Rosie O’Donnell to get honorary Tony Award for her commitment to arts education in New York

Rosie O’Donnell in 2006. (Wikipedia photo)

NEW YORK – Rosie O’Donnell is getting a Tony Award.

The award’s administration committee said Tuesday that the former talk-show host will receive the 2014 Isabelle Stevenson Award, an honorary prize given to members of the theatre community for their philanthropic efforts.

The committee cites O’Donnell’s commitment to arts education for New York City’s public school children. In 2003, the Emmy Award-winning O’Donnell launched a non-profit arts education organization now known as Rosie’s Theater Kids, which provides training in dance, music and drama for students attending public school in New York City.

O’Donnell has hosted the Tony Awards three times. Her theatre credits include performing in “Grease,” ”Seussical” and ”Fiddler on the Roof” as well as producing the musical ”Taboo.”

The Tony Awards are June 8.