Drama Desk Awards
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The Drama Desk Awards are among the most esteemed honors in New York theater, recognizing outstanding achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions within the same categories.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The awards are considered a significant American theater honor<ref>"Baylor's Traveling Lady Production Receives Drama Desk Nomination" Template:Webarchive, Baylor University, April 28, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2009</ref> and are often referred to as "the Golden Globes of Theatre."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Established in 1955, the awards are presented annually by the Drama Desk organization, a collective of New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers dedicated to celebrating excellence in the performing arts.<ref name="history" /> The awards are represented by long-time Broadway press agency, Keith Sherman & Associates.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
History and mission
The Drama Desk organization was founded in 1949 by a group of theater critics and journalists aiming to spotlight significant issues in the theatrical industry and to support the development of New York theater. In 1955, the organization began presenting awards known as the Vernon Rice Awards, named after the New York Post critic who championed off-Broadway productions. The awards were renamed the Drama Desk Awards in the 1963–1964 season,<ref>Zolotow, Sam. "Critics Hail Off Broadway Work: Elmer [sic] Rice Awards Are Presented by Drama Desk", The New York Times, May 19, 1964, p. 42</ref> and by the 1968–69 season, they expanded to include Broadway productions.<ref name="calta">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1974, the Drama Desk was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, and in 1975 its announcement of winners was expanded to include the nominees. Today, the awards are voted on by over 130 New York theater critics, reporters, writers, and arts editors, all of whom serve voluntarily and without vested interests in the results.<ref name=history>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>McKinley, Jesse. " Modern Millie Leads Drama Desk Awards" Template:Webarchive The New York Times, May 20, 2002. Retrieved June 8, 2009</ref><ref>Riedel, Michael. "Backstage brouhaha at the Drama Desk Awards" Template:Webarchive, Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2009</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Drama Desk Awards are distinctive in their comprehensive approach, evaluating productions from Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway on an equal footing. This inclusivity is intended to acknowledge both established and emerging talents. In 2023, the awards adopted gender-neutral performance categories. Each performance category now features twice as many nominees and two winners to recognize excellence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2017, the Outstanding Adaptation and Outstanding Fight Choreography categories were added. Template:Citation needed
The Drama Desk plans to expand the awards in 2027 to honor regional theater across the United States, along with Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off Broadway, to become the only major theatrical award to honor professional theater nationally.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Drama Desk Awards have brought attention to such artists as Morgan Freeman, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, James Lapine, Nathan Lane, Ellen Burstyn, Audra McDonald, and Anthony Hopkins before they entered the theatrical mainstream.Template:Citation needed Works such as Hamilton, A Chorus Line, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Boys in the Band gained early recognition at the Drama Desk Awards.Template:Citation needed
Other notable winners of Drama Desk Awards include Elton John, Al Pacino, Julie Andrews, Helen Mirren, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, Ian McKellen, James Earl Jones, Kevin Spacey, Liza Minnelli, Hugh Jackman, Mel Brooks, Sarah Paulson, Tina Fey, Reba McEntire, Angela Lansbury, Jessica Lange, Lily Tomlin, Patrick Stewart, Viola Davis, Antonio Banderas, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Glenn Close, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andrew Garfield, Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Crystal, Bob Fosse, Mike Nichols, Christine Baranski, Jessica Chastain, Sean Hayes, Chita Rivera, Edie Falco, Laura Linney, Kristin Chenoweth, Cynthia Nixon, Allison Janney,Cynthia Erivo, Elaine Stritch, Frank Langella, Phylicia Rashad, Jessica Tandy, Stockard Channing, Billy Porter, Harvey Fierstein, Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block, Jane Krakowski, Mike Birbiglia, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jason Alexander, Lena Horne, Lauren Bacall, Estelle Parsons, Ethel Merman, Glynis Johns, and Helen Hayes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Award Categories
Performance categories
- Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
- Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
- Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
- Outstanding Solo Performance
Show and technical categories
- Outstanding Musical
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical
- Outstanding Direction of a Musical
- Outstanding Book of a Musical
- Outstanding Music
- Outstanding Music in a Play
- Outstanding Lyrics
- Outstanding Orchestrations
- Outstanding Choreography
- Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
- Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
- Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
- Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical
- Outstanding Play
- Outstanding Revival of a Play
- Outstanding Direction of a Play
- Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
- Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
- Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
- Outstanding Sound Design in a Play
- Outstanding Projection Design
- Outstanding Puppetry
- Outstanding Revue
- Outstanding Wig and Hair Design
- Outstanding Fight Choreography
- Outstanding Adaptation
- Unique Theatrical Experience
Special awards
- Drama Desk Special Award
- Outstanding Ensemble
Retired awards
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical
- Outstanding Actress in a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
- Outstanding Actor in a Play
- Outstanding Actress in a Play
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
- Outstanding Director
- Outstanding Revival
- Outstanding Costume Design
- Outstanding Lighting Design
- Outstanding Set Design
- Outstanding Sound Design
Ceremony History
| Season | Nominations announced date | Nomination announcement host(s) | Awards ceremony | Awards ceremony venue | Awards ceremony host(s) | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | April 20, 2025 | Norm Lewis | June 1, 2025 | Skirball Center for the Performing Arts | Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2023–24 | April 29, 2024 | Kathleen Turner | June 10, 2024 | Sutton Foster & Aaron Tveit | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> | |
| 2022–23 | April 27, 2023 | Donna McKechnie | June 6, 2023 | Sardi's | Mandy Patinkin & Kathryn Grody | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 2021–22 | May 16, 2022 | George Takei | June 14, 2022 | Renée Elise Goldsberry | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | ||
| 2020-21 | No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City | ||||||
| 2019–20 | April 21, 2020 | Seth Rudetsky | June 13, 2020 | Virtual ceremony | Frank DiLella | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| 2018–19 | April 25, 2019 | Roma Torre | June 2, 2019 | The Town Hall | Michael Urie | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| 2017–18 | April 26, 2018 | Jane Krakowski & Tituss Burgess | June 3, 2018 | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |||
| 2016–17 | April 27, 2017 | Laura Benanti & Javier Muñoz | June 4, 2017 | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |||
| 2015–16 | April 28, 2016 | Matthew Morrison & Vanessa Williams | June 5, 2016 | <ref>Gans, Andrew. "Vanessa Williams and Matthew Morrison Announce Drama Desk Nominations Today" Template:Webarchive, Playbill, April 28, 2016</ref> | |||
| 2014–15 | April 23, 2015 | Judith Light & Jessie Mueller | May 31, 2015 | Laura Benanti | <ref>Gans, Andrew and Gioia, Michael. "Drama Desk Award Winners Announced; 'Hamilton' Wins Seven Awards" Template:Webarchive, Playbill, May 31, 2015</ref> | ||
| 2013–14 | April 25, 2014 | Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Fran Drescher | June 1, 2014 | <ref>Gans, Andrew."Winners of 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'All the Way' Win Top Prizes" Template:Webarchive, Playbill, June 1, 2014</ref> | |||
| 2012–13 | April 29, 2013 | Linda Lavin & John Lloyd Young | May 19, 2013 | Jan Maxwell & John Lloyd Young | <ref>Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, Pippin, Matilda, Vanya and Sonia Win Drama Desk Awards" Template:Webarchive Playbill, May 19, 2013</ref> | ||
| 2011–12 | April 27, 2012 | Donna Murphy & Brian d'Arcy James | June 3, 2012 | Brooke Shields & Brian d'Arcy James | <ref>Gans, Andrew. "'Once', 'Tribes', 'Follies', 'Salesman', Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and More Are Drama Desk Winners" Template:Webarchive Playbill, June 3, 2012</ref> | ||
| 2010–11 | April 29, 2011 | Audra McDonald & Liev Schreiber | May 23, 2011 | Hammerstein Ballroom | Harvey Fierstein | <ref>BBW News Desk. "2011 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced!" Template:Webarchive BroadwayWorld.com, May 23, 2011</ref> | |
| 2009–10 | May 3, 2010 | Brian Stokes Mitchell & Cady Huffman | May 23, 2010 | LaGuardia Concert Hall | Patti LuPone | <ref name="play">Gans, Andrew."Red, Memphis, Bridge, Fences and La Cage Win Drama Desk Awards" Template:Webarchive Playbill, May 23, 2010</ref> | |
| 2008–09 | April 27, 2009 | Jim Dale & Faith Prince | May 17, 2009 | Harvey Fierstein | <ref>Gans, Andrew. "Harvey Fierstein to Host Drama Desk Awards" Template:Webarchive Playbill, March 25, 2009</ref> | ||
| 2007–08 | April 28, 2008 | Bebe Neuwirth & Len Cariou | May 18, 2008 | Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, & Heidi Blickenstaff | <ref>Bacalzo, Dan. " Title of Show Cast to Host 2008 Drama Desk Awarda" Template:Webarchive theatermania.com, April 22, 2008</ref> | ||
| 2006–07 | April 26, 2007 | James Naughton & Beth Leavel | May 20, 2007 | Kristin Chenoweth | <ref>Bacalzo, Dan. " Kristin Chenoweth Will Host Drama Desk Awards" playbill.com, March 29, 2008</ref> | ||
| 2005-06 | April 27, 2006 | Marvin Hamlisch & Donna McKechnie | May 21, 2006 | Harvey Fierstein | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2004-05 | April 28, 2005 | Robert Goulet & Lynn Redgrave | May 22, 2005 | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2003-04 | April 29, 2004 | Mary-Louise Parker & Tony Roberts | May 16, 2004 | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2002-03 | May 1, 2003 | Judy Kaye & Martin Richards | May 18, 2003 | Chita Rivera | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2001-02 | April 30, 2002 | John Stamos & Polly Bergen | May 19, 2002 | Rue McClanahan | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2000-01 | May 1, 2001 | Michele Lee & Dick Cavett | May 25, 2001 | Lily Tomlin | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 1999-00 | April 25, 2000 | Susan Lucci & Tom Wopat | May 14, 2000 | Bebe Neuwirth | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 1998-99 | April 19, 1999 | Bebe Neuwirth & Joel Grey | May 9, 1999 | Bernadette Peters | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 1997-98 | April 27, 1998 | Freddie Roman, Lillias White, & Robert Cuccioli | May 17, 1998 | The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College | No Host | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 1996-97 | April 28, 1997 | Julie Harris & Michael Nouri | May 18, 1997 | Booth Theatre | No Host | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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| 1995-96 | May 2, 1996 | May 19, 1996 | New Victory Theater | Tony Randall | <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> | |
See also
Other theatre awards in New York:
- Tony Awards
- Lucille Lortel Awards
- Obie Award
- New York Drama Critics' Circle
- Drama League Award
- Theatre World Award