Drama Desk Awards Broadcast Plans Announced

The 50th Annual Drama Desk Awards Ceremony on Sunday, May 22, hosted by Harvey Fierstein, starring as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, will reach one of its largest audiences ever since it will be seen on PBS stations across the nation, including Thirteen/WNET in New York and KQED in San Francisco, as well as NYC Channel 25 in New York, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, executive producer of the Drama Desk Awards, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk organization.

A two hour taped special of the ceremony will be broadcast in primetime on NYC TV 25 in New York on Wednesday, May 25, and Friday, May 27, from 8 to 10 PM, and on Thirteen/WNET on Sunday, May 29, from 12 noon to 2 PM. In addition, the National Education Television Association (NETA) will feed the two-hour tape via satellite to PBS stations across the nation on Friday, May 27, and many stations have indicated they will broadcast the Drama Desk Awards ceremony during the month of June.

The flagship channel of the newly formed NYC Media Group, NYC TV 25 features content highlighting New York City lifestyle, culture and history. Airing on broadcast Channel 25, NYC TV reaches approximately nine-million households in the tri-state area. Headed by General Manager Arick Wierson, NYC Media Group is a newly formed entity responsible for managing and programming the City of New York's media assets, including cable television, radio and the Web.

The Drama Desk, an organization of New York critics, writers and editors who cover all sectors of New York theatre on a regular basis, has been presenting awards for excellence in the theatre since the 1954-55 theatre season. The nominations for this year's awards will be announced at a special ceremony at the New York Friars Club on Thursday, April 28, at 10 AM by Lynn Redgrave, now in rehearsal for The Roundabout Theatre production of The Constant Wife, and Robert Goulet, who recently joined the cast of La Cage aux Folles.

Nominees will receive their official Nomination Certificates at a reception on Tuesday, May 3, 2005, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at Arte Cafe, 106 West 73rd Street in Manhattan, home of the Drama Desk Art*Kives.

Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 50th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director. Associate Producers are Corine Dana Cohen, Jackie Barlia-Florin, Jae French, Sarah Galvin and Les Schecter, who also is Director of Publicity and Promotions. Felicia M. Lopes is the General Manager. Randie Levine-Miller is Director of Drama Desk Special Events. Roy A. Somlyo is Consulting Producer.