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Photo Coverage: 2008 Drama Desk Awards Press Room & Party

By: May. 20, 2008
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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. For more information please visit www.dramadesk.com

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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