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 critics organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, Off- Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories.
The organization hosts panels throughout the year, to which the public is invited, to promote understanding and appreciation of the professional theater. In addition to honoring creative artists and stage productions in multiple categories, the Drama Desk annually presents scholarships to two worthy seniors in the Drama Department of the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts who are planning careers in the theater.
Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie accepted the awards for Outstanding Music: Elton John (Billy Elliot The Musical) and Outstanding Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim (Road Show)
Tom Wopat
Outstanding Choreography: Peter Darling (Billy Elliot The Musical)
Peter Darling and Andre De Shields
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot The Musical)
John Lithgow
Stephen Daldry and John Lithgow
Outstanding Ensemble Performances: Cripple of Inishmaan Cast
Raul Esparza
Raul Esparza, Jeffory Lawson, Neil Pepe and Mary McCann - Outstanding Ensemble Performances To: Atlantic Theater Company and artistic director Neil Pepe for exceptional craftsmanship, dedication to excellence and productions that engage, inspire and enlighten.
Amy Fiore, Jim Colleran, Janine Nina Trevens and Joanna Greer - Outstanding Ensemble Performances - To: TADA! Youth Theater for providing an invaluable contribution to the future of the theater. The company makes outstanding training and experience accessible and affordable to young people and mounts productions remarkable for their quality and professionalism
Philip George, John Freedson, William Selby, Gerard Alessandrini, Michael West, Christina Bianco, James Donegan, and Gina Kreiezmar
Outstanding Ensemble Performances - To: Forbidden Broadway at the end of its nearly three decade run and the creators, casts and designers who made it an unparalleled New York institution cherished for its satire and celebration of Broadway.
Liza Minnelli - Outstanding Ensemble Performances - To Liza Minnelli, a beloved American musical theater icon, for her enduring career of sustained excellence, and her glorious performance in Liza's at the Palace.
Rex Reed and Liza Minnelli
Rex Reed and Liza Minnelli
Rex Reed and Liza Minnelli
Outstanding Set Design of a Play: David Korins (Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them)
Carson Kressley
Angelo Fraboni
Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel and Angelo Fraboni - Unique Theatrical Experience: Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words
Jane Goldman, Peter Martin, Angelo Fraboni, Dayle Reyfel and
Dave Klasko
Outstanding Solo Performance: Lorenzo Pisoni (Humor Abuse)
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Pablo Schreiber (reasons to be pretty) off Broadway
Pablo Schreiber
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Gregory Jbara (Billy Elliot The Musical)
Ellis Nassour and Gregory Jbara
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Haydn Gwynne (Billy Elliot The Musical)
Robert R. Blume and Haydn Gwynne
Gregory Jbara and Haydn Gwynne
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Geoffrey Rush (Exit the King)
Geoffrey Rush
Gregory Jbara, Haydn Gwynne and Geoffrey Rush
Haydn Gwynne and Janet McTeer
Geoffrey Rush and Outstanding Actress in a Play: Janet McTeer (Mary Stuart)
Robert R. Blume and Geoffrey Rush
Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek The Musical)
Brian d'Arcy James
Robert R. Blume and Brian d'Arcy James
Lorenzo Pisoni and Yolanda Culler
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Allison Janney (9 to 5)
Allison Janney
Haydn Gwynne, Allison Janney and Brian d'Arcy James
Haydn Gwynne, Allison Janney and Brian d'Arcy James
Ross Blume, Allison Janney, Brian d'Arcy James and Robert R. Blume
Ellis Nassour and Allison Janney
Tom Viertel and Sonia Friedman - Outstanding Revival of a Play: The Norman Conquests
Jerry Frankel, Jeffrey Richards, Diane Paulus, Oskar Eustis and Andrew Hamingson - Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Hair
Mandy Greenfield and Lynn Nottage - Outstanding Play: Ruined by Lynn Nottage
Sally Greene - Outstanding Musical: Billy Elliot The Musical
