The Drama League Sets Eligibility Cut-Offs, Ceremony Date for 2017

Save the date! The Drama League has announced that the 83rd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway).

More information about the Awards Ceremony, which includes pre-event cocktails and the afternoon luncheon ceremony, can be found by calling (212) 244-9494 or by visiting www.dramaleague.org.

The Awards Eligibility Period for Broadway and Off-Broadway productions will end on Monday, April 17, 2017, followed by the Nominations Announcement on Wednesday morning, April 19, 2017 for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award.

First awarded in 1922, The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America. They are the only major theatergoer awards chosen by both industry professionals and audience members together.

Culminating a landmark year of celebration commemorating the organization's 100 years of service to the American theater, The Drama League previously announced the date for 33rd Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce to be held on Monday evening, November 7, 2016 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue) in New York City. The black-tie gala will feature dozens of stars from Hollywood and Broadway in a one-night-only musical tribute supporting The Drama League's educational initiatives for promising young artists. VIP and Ballroom seats are available, with a limited number of seats open to the General Public. For more information, call (212) 244-9494, Ext. 101 or visit the website at www.dramaleague.org.

The lineup for the evening's one-of-a-kind musical tribute inspired by Mr. Pierce's career in theater, film and television, including this season's productions of A Life (Playwrights Horizons) and Hello, Dolly! will include stars of stage and screen Tyne Daly (It Shoulda Been You), Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Bebe Neuwirth ("Frasier"), Sierra Boggess (School of Rock), Christopher Sieber (Mathilda), Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!), Harriet Harris (It Shoulda Been You), Kristine Nielsen (Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike), Debra Monk (Curtains), Montego Glover (It Shoulda Been You), Adam Kantor (Fiddler on the Roof), Brandon Uranowitz (March of the Falsettos), and more to be announced. Drama League Directors Project alumnus Shelley Butler (It Shoulda Been You) directs. The 33rd Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway Honoring David Hyde Pierce will be produced by Drama League Associate Producer Travis LeMont Ballenger. The creative team will include Rob Urbanati (writer), Joyce Chittick (choreographer), David Evans (music director), Samantha Saltzman (associate producer/director), Melissa M. Spengler (production stage manager), Nick Kolin (lighting), Mike Tracey (sound), Whitney Locher (costume), and Gabriel Stelian-Shanks (Drama League Executive Artistic Director).

It was announced today by Mr. Stelian-Shanks, The Drama League will bestow its 2016 Arts Ally Award for exceptional commitment and contribution to the New York theatre community, onto William C. Rudin and Samantha Rudin Earls of Rudin Management Company, Inc.

Resolution Life is the proud Lead Season Sponsor of The Drama League. The Drama League Benefit Gala Sponsors include Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of The Drama League; M.A.C. Cosmetics, the Official Makeup Partner of The Drama League; Starbright Floral Design, the Official Florist of The Drama League; and The Plaza.

The Musical Celebration of Broadway Gala Chairpersons are Anna May Feige and Stan Ponte, with Vice-Chairs Rebecca A. Gillan, Kathy Henderson, Mary Jain, Kari Nettles, Joseph and Lauren Pizza, Resolution Life, Elaine C. and W. WelDon Wilson, and Nadine Wong. The Benefit Gala Committee includes Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Leslie C. Feldman, Ellie and James Johnson, Julie and Rich Meister, and The Woolworth Tower Residencies, Alchemy Properties.

For additional information about the Drama League and upcoming events, call (212) 244-9494, or e-mail events@dramaleague.org, or visit the website at www.dramaleague.org.