HAND TO GOD's Steven Boyer & Devilishly Funny Puppet 'Tyrone' to Host 81st Annual Drama League Awards

The Drama League has announced that the star of Broadway's smash production of Hand to God, Steven Boyer, 2015 Drama League Distinguished Performance nominee, will host the upcoming 81st Annual Drama League Awards, alongside his special guest Tyrone. One of the high points of the season, the Drama League Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) beginning at 12:00 p.m. Official sponsors for the 81st Annual Drama League Awards include Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of The Drama League; MAC Cosmetics, the Official Makeup Partner of The Drama League; National Life Group; and GenSpring Family Offices. Tickets for The Drama League Awards, which includes a nominees cocktail reception and the star-studded afternoon luncheon awards presentations, are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or visiting www.dramaleague.org.

The 2015 Distinguished Performance Award will be presented by last year's recipient of the award, Neil Patrick Harris. The 2015 Production Awards will be presented by 2014 Drama League nominee Zachary Quinto.

The 2015 Drama League Award Nominations for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the Distinguished Performance Award can be found at dramaleague.org/events/awards/nominees.

Steven Boyer, 2015 Drama League Distinguished Performance nominee, is an actor and a comedy writer based in NYC, and currently stars on Broadway in Hand to God. Time Out NY recently named Steven as one of the Future Legends of the NY theatre. Steven earned an OBIE Award for his work in Hand to God at The Ensemble Studio Theatre. He has also appeared in MTC's The Explorer's Club as well as in Second Stage's production of Modern Terrorism. Steven also played the title role of Trevor in Nick Jones' darkly funny Trevor, performed with Lesser America. In addition to his work in the theatre, Steven has worked with Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's film, The Wolf of Wall Street and can currently be seen in the film, Listen Up Phillip. Steven has appeared in such beloved TV series as "Orange is the New Black," "The Crazy Ones," "Louie," "Person of Interest," "Law & Order," and "Ed". Steven is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He is also a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre. He starred in and produced the independent web sitcom pilot from Emily Chadick Weiss, "The Share". Steven lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

The Drama League recently announced the 2015 recipients for Distinguished Contributions and Achievements in the Theatre, as follows: Tony, and Oscar Award winner Joel Grey will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award; WNET: Neal Shapiro and David Horn will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theater Award for their vital work in bringing New York theater to viewers across America; and Tony, Drama Desk, Olivier Award winner and Oscar nominee Stephen Daldry will receive The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.

First awarded in 1922 and formalized in 1935, The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America. The Drama League Awards recognize distinguished productions, performances, and exemplary career achievements. The first Drama League Award was presented to Katharine Cornell in 1935; since then, the Distinguished Performance Award has been accorded to a roster of theatre legends such as Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Liev Schreiber, Sir John Gielgud, Harvey Fierstein, Cherry Jones, Alec Guinness, James Earl Jones, Helen Hayes, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Bernadette Peters, and Christopher Plummer.

For more information about the Drama League Awards, please call (212) 244-9494 or visit www.dramaleague.org.

Photo by Joan Marcus