Island actress Loretta Ables Sayre today won a Theatre World Award, which honors performers in their debuts on Broadway, for her work as Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center Theater's revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific." The award is not a competition but a recognition by a committee to encourage and inspire newbies to continue to pursue their stage dreams.

Her "South Pacific" co-star, Paulo Szot, also was named a recipient of the award, called the Janus, since he, too, is making his first-time appearance on the Great White Way. He stars as Emile de Becque.

Both are among the nominees for this year's Tony Awards, announced Tuesday, and the Janus reflects their notable work in the musical hit.

The Theatre World Awards ceremony will be held June 10 at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway; the Tonys will be announced in a CBS telecast June 15 from Radio City Music Hall.