On May 18th 2008 the winners of this years Drama Desk Awards were announced. The 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were held in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. The awards show was webcast for the sixth year in a row by TheaterMania.com. It was also broadcast live on satellite radio's XM – 28. This years winners received a new trophy designed especially for Drama Desk by Robert Du Grenier Associates. The after party was held at John's Pizzeria of Times Square (260 W 44th Street). For a complete list of the winners please click HERE.
The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, off Broadway and off-off Broadway productions in the same categories.
Food for the rehearsals and press room was generously donated by Tony's DiNapoli Restaurant.
Photos By Linda Lenzi
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Book of a Musical: Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu)
Douglas Carter Beane
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Choreography: Rob Ashford (Cry Baby The Musical)
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Music: Heidi Rodewald (Passing Strange)
Heidi Rodewald
Elysabeth Kleinhans (Drama Desk Special Award to 59E59 Theaters whose imaginative curatorial vision has created a stimulating environment to nurture a diverse range of artists)
Elizabeth Ashley and Elysabeth Kleinhans
Elizabeth Ashley and Elysabeth Kleinhans
Leslie Marcus and Tim Sam (2008 Drama Desk Special Award to Playwrights Horizons for ongoing support to generations of theater artists and undiminished commitment to producing new work)
Edward Albee (2008 Drama Desk Special Award to celebrate his provocative plays, including this seasons Peter and Jerry, enrich the American theater) and Bill Pullman
Edward Albee and Bill Pullman
Robert R. Blume, Edward Albee and Bill Pullman
Robert R. Blume, Bill Pullman and Ross Blume
Bill Pullman
James Earl Jones (2008 Drama Desk Special Awards for a commanding force on the stage for nearly half a century)
Ellis Nassour and James Earl Jones
Laura Benanti
Leigh Ann Larkin and Laura Benanti
Leigh Ann Larkin and Laura Benanti
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Sound Design: Scott Lehrer (South Pacific)
Scott Lehrer
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Set Design of a Play: Scott Pask (Les Liaison Dangereuses)
Scott Pask
Bruce Dimpflmaier and Les Schecter
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Set Design of a Musical: Michael Yeargan (South Pacific)
Michael Yeargan
Scott Lehrer and Michael Yeargan
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Projection and Video Design: Timothy Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network
Timothy Bird
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Director of a Play: Anna D. Shapiro (August: Osage County)
Anna D. Shapiro
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Director of a Musical: Bartlett Sher (South Pacific)
Barlett Sherr
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Unique Theatrical Experience: The 39 Steps, Jennifer Ferrin, Charles Edwards, Cliff Saunders and Arnie Burton
The 39 Steps Producers
Producers Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Revue: Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening; John Freedson and Gerard Alessandrini
2008 Drama Desk Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance: The Dining Room
2008 Drama Desk Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performances: The Homecoming
Raul Esparza
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Boyd Gaines (Gypsy)
Boyd Gaines
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Laura Benanti (Gypsy)
Laura Benanti
Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines
Robert R. Blume and Laura Benanti
Kris Anderson (Dixies Tupperwear Party)
Kelli O'Hara
Kelli O'Hara
Les Schecter and Kelli O'Hara
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Actor in a Play: Mark Rylance (Boeing-Boeing)
Mark Rylance
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Linda Lavin (The New Century)
Linda Lavin
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Actress in a Play: Deanna Dunagan (August: Osage County)
Deanna Dunagan
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Paolo Szot (South Pacific)
Paolo Szot
Paolo Szot and Ellis Nassour
2008 Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Patti LuPone (Gypsy)
Patti LuPone
Laura Benanti, Patti LuPone and Boyd Gaines
Laura Benanti, Patti LuPone and Boyd Gaines
Matt Johnston and Patti LuPone
Cheyenne Jackson
Cheyenne Jackson
Richie Ridge, Cheyenne Jackson and Preston Ridge
Mark J. Sullivan
Richie Ridge, Mark J. Sullivan and Preston Ridge
Valerie Smaldone and Bruce Dimpflmaier
Leslie Kritzer and Heather Weiss
William Wolf and Elaine Wolf
Robert Cashill, Gerard Raymond, Barbara Siegel and Richie Ridge
Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel
Robert Creighton and Henry Hodges
Whitney Manalio and Robert Creighton
Roy Miller and Robert Creighton
Heather Miller and Roy Miller
Lynn Cohen and Mary Testa
Heidi Blickenstaff and Edward Watts
Richie Ridge, Mary Testa and Preston Ridge
Jeff Bowen and Michael Berresse
Priscilla Lopez and Michael Berresse
Randie Levine-Miller and Ted Miller
Douglas Denoff, Charles Edwards, Arnie Burton, Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders
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