The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon took place on Friday, May 15, 2009 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The event was co-hosted by Jeremy Irons (Impressionism) and Cynthia Nixon (Distracted).Each season, The Drama League presents competitive awards in five categories: Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play and the Distinguished Performance Award.
Nominations for these awards were announced on Tuesday, April 21.
The winners for the 75th Annual Drama League Awards were:
Distinguished Production of a Musical: BILLY ELLIOT
Distinguished Production of a Play: GOD OF CARNAGE
Distinguished Revival of a Musical: HAIR
Distinguished Revival of a Play: BLITHE SPIRIT
Distinguished Performance Award: Geoffrey Rush
Earlier this spring, The Drama League announced the recipients of its annual special recognitions: Elton John received the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, Arthur Laurents was honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing and Angela Lansbury received the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award. In addition, Broadway porducer Herb Blodgett received The Drama League's 75th Anniversary Leadership Award.
The Drama Leaguewas founded in 1916 as an association of theatre professionals and patrons dedicated to encouraging the finest in professional theatre, and has since developed into the theatre's premiere service organization.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
