The winners for the 67th Annual Drama Desk Awards have been announced. The Drama Desk Awards are recognized as being the only major NYC theater award show that puts Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories. This year it was all about Some Like it Hot and Life of Pi, with each coming out on top in over three categories.
Awards are voted on and bestowed by critics, journalists, editors, and publishers covering theater. The Drama Desk Awards honor all aspects of New York’s professional theater.
The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 and began presenting its awards in 1955. The organization was originally created to explore pivotal issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the development of theater in New York.
This year the Drama Desk Awards will take place at Sardi’s Restaurant in Manhattan on June 6th from 3:00 – 6:00pm. Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin and 2-time Obie Award winner Kathryn Grody will host the ceremony. More details about the event and awards can be found here.
List of Winners
Outstanding Play
Leopoldstadt, by Tom Stoppard
Outstanding Musical
Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Revival of a Play
The Piano Lesson
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Parade
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House & Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd & J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Brooklyn Academy of Music & Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like it Hot & Alex Newell, Shucked
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Max Webster, Life of Pi
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Thomas Kail, Sweeney Todd
Outstanding Choreography
Casey Nicholaw, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Music
Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked
Outstanding Lyrics
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Orchestrations
Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Music in a Play
Suzan-Lori Parks, Plays for the Plague Year, The Public Theater
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
Tim Hatley, Life of Pi
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’
Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Some Like it Hot
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams (video), Prima Facie
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play
Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical
Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, Into the Woods
Outstanding Wig and Hair
Mia M. Neal, Ain’t No Mo’
Outstanding Solo Performance
Jodie Comer, Prima Facie
Unique Theatrical Experience
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Outstanding Fight Choreography
B.H. Barry, Camelot
Outstanding Adaptation
A Doll’s House, by Amy Herzog
Outstanding Puppetry
Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi
Special Awards:
Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award
Stephen McKinley Henderson has been bringing in-depth, gripping portrayals of memorable characters to the stage for over 40 years. With his return to Broadway this season as Pops in Between Riverside and Crazy, which was nominated in 2015, this year’s Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award marks Henderson’s role in this powerful production as a celebration of his brilliant career.
Ensemble Award
The cast of Soho Rep’s Public Obscenities – Tashnuva Anan, Abrar Haque, Golam Sarwar Harun, Gargi Mukherjee, NaFis, Jakeem Dante Powell, and Debashis Roy Chowdhury – embodied the transnational world of Shayok Misha Chowdhury’s bilingual play with memorable authenticity, remarkable specificity, and extraordinary warmth.
Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award
From his standout performance in american (tele)visions, to writing and performing the autobiographical Dark Disabled Stories, Ryan J. Haddad’s work this season has expanded on and interrogated what the idea of “accessibility” really means. Whether riding a shopping cart like a throne, or relating his experiences on a “gay, pink bus,” Haddad shared with audiences an unabashed queer fabulosity that was both unforgettable and deeply human.
Labor unions representing Broadway musicians have announced they are opposing the production of David Byrne’s musical Here Lies Love, citing that it breaks the union contract that requires live performers for musicals.
Conrad Ricamora in the musical “Here Lies Love” during its run at the Public Theater in New York. Ricamora is returning to the Broadway production. Credit Sara Krulwich/The New York Times.
The musical — an immersive, dance-driven musical about Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines — is scheduled to start previews on June 17 and to open on July 20 at the Broadway Theater. Byrne co-wrote the music with Fatboy Slim. First conceived 17 years ago, every production has been performed to a prerecorded track but has only been performed at off-Broadway locations.
The decision to have Here Lies Love be a fully prerecorded musical has caused quite an uproar online as many people are outraged as it is single-handedly undermining the 157-year history of live music on Broadway. Audiences are paying full price for a show may feel ripped off, only to discover a live Broadway show is accompanied by a pre-recorded soundtrack.
Thus, professional musicians are losing jobs due to this decision by Byrne. The American Federation of Musicians’ Local 802 claims the production violates the union’s contract with the Broadway League by using pre-recorded tracks instead of a live band. In a statement, they said:
A show with no live music and just pre-recorded tracks is absolutely an existential threat to Broadway- and is a cultural threat to musical theater worldwide. For generations, audiences have experienced Broadway shows with live music performed by the best musicians in the world, and by using just pre-recorded tracks it not only cheapens the art it’s putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. Our musicians are heartbroken that David Byrne – a legend – is attempting this and we strongly hope he reconsiders.
Local 802
Local 802 went on to say that Here Lies Love violates union Broadway rules, which require the use of 19 musicians for musicals at the Broadway Theater. The union says it is seeking to preserve jobs for musicians and quality for theater lovers. “We’re not going to stand by and let this happen,” said Tino Gagliardi, the local’s president and executive director. “It’s not fair to the public.”
In a statement, Bryne and the show said “Here Lies Love is not a traditional Broadway musical. The music is drawn outside of the traditional musical genre. The performance of the live vocals to pre-recorded, artificial tracks is paramount to its artistic concept. Production has ripped out the seats in the theater and built a dance floor. There is no longer a proscenium stage.”
David Byrne, March 2023 (Mike Coppola/Getty Images).
While Byrne says the show is special and there is a reasoning behind this, his decision violates union agreements, which have been in the news as of late with the Writers Guild striking for better and fairer wages and working conditions. In 2017, David Byrne proudly wrote that “investment in the arts doesn’t cost us money – it makes us money.” Now, Byrne is deinvesting in the arts by using recorded music instead of professional live musicians. This ongoing issue may influence crowds for Here Lies Love with many angry at this decision, prominent musicians and theatergoers alike.
An update as of June 9- a statement from Local 802 NYC Musicians Union President and Executive Director Tino Gagliardi on agreement with Here Lies Love says “After negotiation, we have reached an agreement that will bring live music to Here Lies Love with the inclusion of 12 musicians to the show. Broadway is a very special place with the best musicians and performances in the world, and we are glad this agreement honors that tradition.” The group is made up of nine musicians and three musician actors, and all will be Local 802 members.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy announced that broadway musical New York, New York will launch a North American tour in January 2025. The tour will begin in a New York State city that will be announced at a later date.
Earl M. Rauch wrote the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture “New York, New York,” which inspired the creation of the new musical. The musical follows a group of New Yorkers who come together to chase their dreams of music, money, and love. The broadway musical promises to be as spectacular as the city itself. If they can make it there, they’ll make it anywhere.
New York, New York, hailed by Vogue, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, and The Wall Street Journal, is a rhapsodic love letter to the city. A dazzling, energetic performance, the broadway musical emphasizes the image of New York as the dream-chasing capitol of the world.
New York, New York has garnered 9 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, 6 Drama Desk Award nominations, 4 Drama League Award nominations including Best Musical, and 3 Chita Rivera Award nominations. Composer John Kander received the 2023 Tony for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chita Rivera Awards. Furthermore, New York, New York won Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play or Musical.
The broadway musical will feature music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winners and Acadamcy Award nominees John Kander and Fred Ebb. Additionally, New York, New York features scenic design by Tony and 2023 Outer Critics Circle Award winner and Tony Award nominee Beowulf Boritt. Tony and Emmy winners and nominees oversee costume, lighting, sound, projection, and other production aspects.
Cities and tour dates along with casting and other information, will be announced later.
Follow New York, New York at @nynybway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok. Visit their website here for more information.
“Kimberly Akimbo,” a Broadway Musical that has received nominations for eight Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” is launching their “Great Adventure Grants.” The program intends to help fund three local high school theater productions, with each school receiving $10,000 from the grant. “Great Adventure Grants” will continue as an annual initiative.
Recipients of one of the “Great Adventure Grants” from the Pan American International High School in Queens, NY. Credit: Polk & Co.
The first recipients of these grants are the Denzel Washington School of the Arts in Mount Vernon, NY; the High Tech High School in Secaucus, NJ; and the Pan American International High School in Queens, NY. The $10,000 received by each program is hoped to aid in paying for licensing, production, and other associated costs.
“Kimberly Akimbo” is about the titular character, Kimberly (played by Victoria Clark), who is a teenager suffering from a rare genetic condition. She must navigate this, as well as her family dysfunctions and her first crush. It originally opened on Broadway on Nov. 10, 2022.
The Broadway musical is based on a play with the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire, who wrote book and lyrics for the musical adaptation. The music is by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography is by Danny Mefford, and direction is by Jessica Stone.
“Like the aspiring show choir characters in ‘Kimberly Akimbo,’ student performers need financial support to help realize their dreams. We are very proud to be able to support these three public school arts programs and look forward to seeing their fully realized productions next year,” director Jessica Stone said.
Times Square Alliance and Playbill are proud to partner on the second annual Pride In Times Square celebration, full of free events centered around NYC Pride Weekend, from June 23-24, 2023. It promises to be an exciting addition to New York City’s celebration of Pride right at the Crossroads of the World.
Founded in 1992, the Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square, cultivating the creativity, energy, and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture, and urban life for over a century. It keeps the neighborhood safe and clean, promotes local businesses, manages area improvements, and produces major annual events, like Pride in Times Square. Founded in 1884, Playbill is an internationally known trademark synonymous with theatre and is a symbol of the arts. Playbill Magazine is distributed to every Broadway theatre, most Off-Broadway theaters, regional theaters, and fine arts institutions in over 24 cities across the country.
Pride in Times Square features top-stage and screen celebrities, Broadway/Off-Broadway productions, local Times Square business promotions, Pride Piano sessions, live DJ sets, a Trans and ENBY Pride celebration, a Drag Pride celebration, the return of last year’s Big Broadway Disco, and more. Pride in Times Square’s main stage will celebrate dynamic voices in the community, and support the continued fight for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all. Special guests, concerts, surprise performances, and more will take to the stage on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, with acts to be announced on June 1.
For the second year in a row, Playbill and Times Square will celebrate Pride like never before with The Big Broadway Disco, a large-scale street party that invites everyone to dance through Times Square to classic and contemporary Broadway songs and performances. The Playbill Pride Float acts as a focal point for the night, including DJs, performers, dancers, costumes, and more on Saturday, June 24, beginning at 5 p.m.
Other exciting things include the Pride Piano Bar, where audiences can take photos with the one-of-a-kind designed piano and piano sing-along performances and piano concerts, led by top-Broadway musicians and performers, and interactive pride installations, including Double Decker Buses, acting as anchor points for audiences to explore on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24. Select buses will then become part of the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 25 down 5th Avenue. Local businesses will also provide deals, discounts, giveaways, and special menu items all month long. Visit here to get a list of all the participating businesses, available in June.
For more information about the Times Square Alliance, and to find more Pride events happening around the city this June, visit here.
Showing in select theaters, exclusively on June 13, across the nation is “Soul Doctor,” a Broadway musical-movie about the relationship between “rock star” Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and Dr. Nina Simone, a music and civil rights icon. The movie version of the musical was filmed during the “Israel at 70” Festival in Jerusalem by writer/director Danny Wise, while the screenings were organized by Fathom Events and Executive Producer Lisa Simone, Nina Simone’s daughter.
“Soul Doctor” is focused on the character of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, from his escape from Nazi Germany at a young age to his friendship with Nina Simone. Simone introduced Carlebach to soul and gospel music, which Carlebach merged with his own roots. This fusion led to a revival of Jewish music and culture.
“‘Soul Doctor’ is a testament to the healing power of music,” said Lisa Simone, “It is medicine for the soul, plain and simple. The kinship between Nina Simone and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach demonstrates the influence we can have on each other when we look past our differences. Their impact on each other, and the world as we know it today, remains a beacon of what is possible when we follow our heart’s calling no matter the odds.”
The film’s music is by Shlomo Carlebach, with lyrics by David Schechter. Choreography was done by Abdur Rahim Jackson. Josh Young, of Broadway’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita,” plays Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Nya, star of “Cleopatra” and Broadway’s “Caroline or Change” revival, plays Nina Simone. Emily Padgett, star of Broadway’s “Side Show,” “Bright Star,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” plays Ruth.
Civil rights activist and sister-in-law to Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Naomi King, spoke on the film, saying, “Any person watching this movie, it’ll shake ’em, move ’em and change ‘em to help make this a better world.”
Acclaimed actor John Malkovich will star in The Music Critic at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on Oct. 28. The Beacon Theatre’s production of The Music Critic will be the last of its 2023 tour dates, before its final performance in June 2024 at Portland, Oregon’s Arlene Schnitzer Theatre.
Written and conceived by Aleksey Igudesman, The Music Critic is a show in which classical music, theater, and comedy collide.
Actor of John Malkovich, star of The Music Critic. Credit: Aleksey Igudesman and Julia Wesely.
John Malkovich’s career spans over four decades and 70 films, the first of which was an uncredited role in 1978’s A Wedding. Malkovich has worked with several big names in the business, including Sally Field in Places in the Heart (1984) and Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons (1988.) He has also ventured into producing, with Ghost World (2001), The Libertine (2004), Juno (2007), and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).
Aleksey Igudesman was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991.) He is known as a violinist, composer, conductor, comedian, filmmaker, actor, writer, poet, and entrepreneur. His secret passions are cooking, eating out in luxurious restaurants, and writing reviews on TripAdvisor.
Tickets for The Music Critic at New York City’s Beacon Theatre starring John Malkovich go on sale May 12 beginning at 10 a.m. Until then, check out the program for The Music Critic.
The Music Critic U.S. Tour Dates:
Benaroya Hall, Seattle Washington, Oct 17, 2023
Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles California, Oct 20, 2023
Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas, Oct 21, 2023
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, Texas, Oct 22, 2023
Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin, Texas, Oct 23, 2023
Filmore Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, Oct 25, 2023
Chicago Theatre, Chicago Illinois, Oct 26, 2023
The Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York, Oct 28, 2023
Arlene Schnitzer Theatre, Portland, Oregon, June 12, 2024
The Tony Awards announced the 2023 award ceremony nominees, celebrating 76 years of excellence on Broadway.
Photo courtesy of the Tony Awards.
The 2023 Tony Awards will air live on Sunday, June 11, from the historic United Palace in Washington Heights in New York City from 8-11 p.m., hosted by Ariana DeBose. The awards are bestowed upon theatre professionals for their high achievements. It is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and one of the most prestigious award ceremonies on television. Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the current season may be considered for Tony nominations, voted in 26 competitive categories by 769 designated Tony voters within the theatre community.
Joel Grey and John Kander will each receive the 2023 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Launching his career in the 1950s, Joel Grey has made an everlasting impact as an actor and director, from Cabaret, for which he received the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, and the BAFTA for his performance as the Emcee, to Goodtime Charley, The Normal Heart and his acclaimed Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof. He is also one of only nine actors to have won both the Tony and Academy Awards for the same role. John Kander grew up around music, playing the piano when he was four, and seeing musicals by age ten. As part of the songwriting team Kander and Fred Ebb, Kander wrote the scores for 15 musicals, including Cabaret and Chicago, both of which were later adapted into acclaimed films.
Joel Grey and John Kander attend the opening night of “The Landing” at Vineyard Theatre on October 23, 2013, in New York City, photo by Walter McBride.
Highlights from the 2023 Tony Awards nominees include the first nonbinary actors to be nominated: J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell. The musical Some Like It Hot, a theatrical remake of the 1959 Billy Wilder movie musical, garnered 13 Tony nominations, the most in this season. Ghee plays the leading role of Jerry in Some Like It Hot, a man who disguises himself as a woman and then comes to realize parts of both identities suit,and Newell plays the featured, female role of Lulu in Shucked. The nominations also highlighted three plays that have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Between Riverside and Crazy, Cost of Living, and Fat Ham. Tom Stoppard’s new play about the Holocaust, Leopoldstadt, received the most nominations at six. The Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City came out with eight nominations for Kimberly Akimbo.
The cast of Some Like It Hot, photo by Marc J. Franklin
The 2023 Tony Awards will air live on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 8-11 p.m. on CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+. A limited number of tickets are on sale now.
2023 Tony Award Nominees
Best Book of a Musical
& Juliet David West Read
Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-Abaire
New York, New York David Thompson & Sharon Washington
Shucked Robert Horn
Some Like It Hot Matthew López & Amber Ruffin
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Almost Famous Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt
Kimberly Akimbo Music: Jeanine Tesori Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire
KPOP Music & Lyrics: Helen Park & Max Vernon
Shucked Music and Lyrics: Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally
Some Like It Hot Music: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Corey Hawkins, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar Stephen McKinley Henderson, Between Riverside and Crazy Wendell Pierce, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House Jodie Comer, Prima Facie Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976 Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Brian d’Arcy James, Into the Woods Ben Platt, Parade Colton Ryan, New York, New York
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo Lorna Courtney, & Juliet Micaela Diamond, Parade
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Jordan E. Cooper, Ain’t No Mo’ Samuel L. Jackson, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson Arian Moayed, A Doll’s House Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt David Zayas, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Nikki Crawford, Fat Ham Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain’t No Mo’ Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Katy Sullivan, Cost of Living Kara Young, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Kevin Cahoon, Shucked Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Alex Newell, Shucked
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Julia Lester, Into the Woods Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, Prima Facie Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi Rachel Hauck, Good Night, Oscar Richard Hudson, Leopoldstadt Dane Laffrey & Lucy Mackinnon, A Christmas Carol
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Michael Yeargan & 59 Productions, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Scott Pask, Shucked Scott Pask, Some Like It Hot
Best Costume Design of a Play
Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi Dominique Fawn Hill, Fat Ham Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Leopoldstadt Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’ Emilio Sosa, Good Night, Oscar
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Some Like It Hot Susan Hilferty, Parade Jennifer Moeller, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Clint Ramos & Sophia Choi, KPOP Paloma Young, & Juliet Donna Zakowska, New York, New York
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin, Leopoldstadt Natasha Chivers, Prima Facie Jon Clark, A Doll’s House Bradley King, Fat Ham Tim Lutkin, Life of Pi Jen Schriever, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Ben Stanton, A Christmas Carol
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, New York, New York Lap Chi Chu, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Heather Gilbert, Parade Howard Hudson, & Juliet Natasha Katz, Some Like It Hot Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Sound Design of a Play
Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams, Ain’t No Mo’ Carolyn Downing, Life of Pi Joshua D. Reid, A Christmas Carol Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House Ben & Max Ringham, Prima Facie
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Kai Harada, New York, New York John Shivers, Shucked Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann, Into the Woods Gareth Owen, & Juliet Nevin Steinberg, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Direction of a Play
Saheem Ali, Fat Ham Jo Bonney, Cost of Living Jamie Lloyd, A Doll’s House Patrick Marber, Leopoldstadt Stevie Walker-Webb, Ain’t No Mo’ Max Webster, Life of Pi
Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Parade Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot Jack O’Brien, Shucked Jessica Stone, Kimberly Akimbo
Best Choreography
Steven Hoggett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot Susan Stroman, New York, New York Jennifer Weber, & Juliet Jennifer Weber, KPOP
Best Orchestrations
Bill Sherman and Dominic Fallacaro, & Juliet John Clancy, Kimberly Akimbo Jason Howland, Shucked Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter, Some Like It Hot Daryl Waters & Sam Davis, New York, New York
Best Play
Ain’t No Mo’
Author: Jordan E. Cooper Producers: Lee Daniels, BET: Black Entertainment Television, Len Blavatnik, Ron Burkle, Aryeh B. Bourkoff, 59th & Prairie Entertainment, RuPaul Charles, I’ll Have Another Productions, Jeremy O. Harris, Lena Waithe, Tucker Tooley Entertainment, CJ Uzomah, Ann Cox, Gina Purlia, Bob Yari, Marvin Peart, Colleen Camp, Marvet Britto, Jeremy Green, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Jillian Robbins, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
Between Riverside and Crazy
Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis Producers: Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Khady Kamara, Atlantic Theater Company
Cost of Living
Author: Martyna Majok Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, Williamstown Theatre Festival
Fat Ham
Author: James Ijames Producers: No Guarantees, Public Theater Productions, Rashad V. Chambers, National Black Theatre, Tim Levy, Bards on Broadway, Bob Boyett, Ghostbuster Productions, James Ijames, Cynthia Stroum, Audible, Adam Cohen, Blake Devillier, Firemused Productions/JamRock Productions, The Forstalls, Iconic Vizion/Corey Brunish, John Gore Organization, Midnight Theatricals, David Miner, Robin Gorman Newman/PickleStar Theatricals, Marc Platt, Play on Shakespeare, The Wilma Theater, Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Jones, Dylan Pager, Roundabout Theatre Company, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett, Sade Lythcott, Jonathan McCrory
Leopoldstadt
Author: Tom Stoppard Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Roy Furman, Lorne Michaels, Stephanie P. McClelland, Gavin Kalin, Delman Sloan, Eilene Davidson, Brad Edgerton, Patrick Gracey, Hunter Arnold, Burnt Umber Productions, Cue to Cue Productions, The Factor Gavin Partnership, Harris Rubin Productions, Robert Nederlander, Jr., No Guarantees, Sandy Robertson, Iris Smith, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler, Dodge Hall Productions/Waverly Productions, Richardo Hornos/Robert Tichio, Heni Koenigsberg/Wendy Federman, Thomas S. Perakos/Stephanie Kramer, Brian Spector/Judith Seinfeld, Richard Winkler/Alan Shorr
Best Musical
& Juliet
Producers: Max Martin & Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd, Eva Price, Lukasz Gottwald, 42nd.club, Independent Presenters Network, Jack Lane, Library Company, Shellback, Shivhans Pictures, Sing Out, Louise!, Kim Szarzynski, Taylor/Riegler, Tenenbaum/Keyes, Barry Weiss, John Gore Organization
Kimberly Akimbo
Producers: David Stone, Atlantic Theater Company, James L. Nederlander, LaChanze, John Gore, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Glick
New York, New York
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Wendy Federman & Heni Koenigsberg, Crossroads Live, Playing Field, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Waiting in the Wings Productions, Colin Callender, Gilbert and DeeDee Garcia/Sue Vaccaro, Peter May, Rileyfan, Silverhopkins+/Hunter Johnson, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Eric Passmore, Thomas Swayne, Elliott Cornelious/SunnySpot Productions, Santino DeAngelo/Cynthia Tong, Craig Balsam, Richard Batchelder, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Marguerite Hoffman, Jessica R. Jenen, John Gore Organization, MGM on Stage, James L. Nederlander, Linda B. Rubin, Seriff Productions, Shivhans Pictures, 42nd.club/Beards on Broadway, AGL Productions/Brad Blume, Hunter Arnold/Red Mountain Theatre, Cue to Cue Productions/Roy Putrino, Jamie deRoy/Janet and Marvin Rosen, Edgewood/Silva Theatrical Group, Dale Franzen/Henry R. Muñoz, III, Deborah Green/Chris Mattsson, Branden Grimmett/DMQR Productions, Christen James/Gregory Carroll, NETworks Presentations/Lamar Richardson, Ron Simons/Adam Zell, Chartoff-Winkler
Shucked
Producers: Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano/Gary Gersh, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard Smith, Silvia Schmid, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, James L. Nederlander, EST/Emily Tisch, Sony Music Entertainment, DudaAllen, David W. Busch, Karen Fairchild, HoriPro Inc., Gordon-Helfner, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck, Jimi Westbrook, ZKM Media
Some Like It Hot
Producers: The Shubert Organization, Neil Meron, MGM on Stage, Roy Furman, Robert Greenblatt, James L. Nederlander, Kenny Leon, Hunter Arnold, John Gore Organization, The Dalgleish Library Company Group, Sheboygan Conservatory Partners, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Bob Boyett, Cue to Cue Productions, Janet and Marvin Rosen, The Araca Group, Concord Theatricals, Marc Howard, Independent Presenters Network, Juanita Jordan, Jujamcyn Theaters, Henry R. Muñoz, III, Ostar, Mariah Carey, D.S. Moynihan
Best Revival of a Play
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson
Producers: Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker, Hunter Arnold, Playing Field, The Factor Gavin Partnership, FBK Productions/42nd.club, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Creative Partners Productions, Harris Rubin Productions, Marguerite Steed Hoffman, Alia Jones-Harvey, Mark Gordon Pictures, Stephanie McClelland, Moore Delman, James L. Nederlander, Seriff Productions, The Shubert Organization, Salman Al-Rashid/Jamie deRoy, Brad Blume/Cliff Hopkins, Jean Doumanian /Fakston Productions, Edgewood/DMQR Productions, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Caiola Productions, Van Kaplan/Lu-Shawn Thompson, Erik A. King/Finewomen Productions, Marc David Levine/William Frisbie, Syrinda Paige/Kevin Ryan & Diane Scott Carter, Silva Theatrical Group/Tilted, Thomas Swayne/Cynthia J. Tong, Constanza Romero-Wilson
A Doll’s House
New Version by: Amy Herzog Producers: Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Wessex Grove, Julie Boardman, Kate Cannova, Bob Boyett, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, GGRS, Kater Gordon, Louise L. Gund, Los Angeles Media Fund, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tilted, Jessica Chastain, Caitlin Clements/Francesca Moody Productions, Caiola Productions/Amanda Lee, Ted & Richard Liebowitz/Joeyen-Waldorf Squeri, Richard & Cecilia Attias/Thomas S. Barnes, OHenry Theatre Nerd Productions/Runyonland MMP, The Jamie Lloyd Company
The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window
Producers: Seaview, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Phil Kenny, Audible, Sony Music Masterworks, Jillian Robbins, Jeremy O. Harris, Larry Hirschhorn and Ricardo Hornos, Shields Smedes Stern Ltd., Kevin Ryan, The Shubert Organization, Willette and Manny Klausner, Marco Santarelli, Be Forward Productions, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Invisible Wall Productions, Salman and Moudhy Al-Rashid, TodayTix Group, Ido Gal, HarrisDonnelly, Sally Cade Holmes, Stella LaRue, LAMF Protozoa, Kati Meister and John Sorkin, Meredith Lynsey Schade, Catherine Schreiber, Dennis Trunfio, MCM Studios, 42nd.club, BAMM Productions, CarterMackTaylorWilliam, HB2M Productions, HK-Undivided Productions, MAJIKK Theatricals, Tanker Kollev Productions, Douglas Denoff, OHenry Productions, Plate Spinner Productions, Runyonland Productions, Mad Gene Media, Scrap Paper Pictures, Joi Gresham, BAM, Gina Duncan, David Binder, Elizabeth Moreau
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog
Producers: David Stone, LaChanze, Rashad V. Chambers, Marc Platt, Debra Martin Chase, The Shubert Organization
Best Revival of a Musical
Into the Woods
Producers: Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, New York City Center, Daryl Roth, Hunter Arnold, Concord Theatricals, Nicole Eisenberg, Jessica R. Jenen, Michael Cassel Group, Kevin Ryan, ShowTown Productions, Armstrong, Gold & Ross, Nicole Kastrinos
Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Adam Siegel, Naomi Grabel
Parade
Producers: Seaview, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Alex Levy, Kevin Ryan, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Interscope & Immersive Records, Erica Lynn Schwartz, Creative Partners Productions, Marcia Goldberg, John Gore Organization, Cynthia Stroum, Tom Tuft, Benjamin Simpson, Nathan Vernon, Brian & Nick Ginsberg, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roth-Manella Productions, Chutzpah Productions, 42nd.club, Ahava 72 Productions, The Andryc Brothers, The Array, At Rise Creative, Caiola Jenen Productions, Coles Achilles, deRoy Brunish Productions, Fakston Productions, Federman Batchelder, Level Forward, Pencil Factory Productions, Renard Lynch, Robin Merrie, Rubin Stuckelman, Runyonland Sussman, Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Bee Carrozzini, New York City Center
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Producers: Jeffrey Seller, Bob Boyett, Diana DiMenna & Plate Spinner Productions/Aaron Glick, Eastern Standard Time, Roy Furman, Thomas Kail, Jim Kierstead/Benjamin Leon IV, TourDForce Theatrical, Maggie Brohn, Andy Jones
Tony Award Nominee Shoshana Bean has announced her debut residency at the newly opened Midnight Theatre in west Manhattan.
Shoshana will take audiences on a musical journey of honesty, exploration and celebration of life, art, and friendship. Performances are on Thursday, May 25, Friday May 26, Saturday, May 27 at 8:00pm and Sunday, May 28 at 7:00pm.
Midnight Theatre is a new, state-of-the-art performance venue in the heart of New York’s Manhattan West. The intimate 150-seat theater was conceptualized by Creative Director Warren Adcock to be a showcase for talent across a wide variety of entertainment, including magic, music, comedy, and Broadway cabarets.
Shoshana Bean was most recently seen starring opposite Billy Crystal in Broadway’s Mr. Saturday Night. Tony and Grammy nominated for her role as Susan Young, she has previously starred on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked and Jenna in Waitress. Her 6 independent studio albums and EP’s have landed her on top of the iTunes and Billboard charts, including the peak position of #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. She has sold out concerts around the globe and lent her voice to countless films and television shows, a few of which include: Sing, Enchanted, Glee and Galavant.
Shoshana made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, appeared Off-Broadway in the 2000 revival of “Godspell”, and in Songs for a New World at City Center Encores. She won an IRNE Award for her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and earned a Jeff Award nomination for her portrayal of CeeCee Bloom in the pre-Broadway musical production of “Beaches”. She has appeared in Bloodline, Bill and Ted Face The Music, and recently filmed a solo concert special for PBS.
For more information on the residency, or to purchase tickets, please visit Midnight Theatres website.
Fort Salem Theater has unveiled its extended 2023 season, featuring a lineup of exciting shows that will cater to audiences of all ages.
Nestled in Salem’s National Historic District, the Fort Salem Theater has a history as diverse as its lineup. Originally built as the areas first Presbyterian Church, it was instead consolidated as a barracks for patriot forces during the American Revolution. After surviving three devastating fires, the building was fortified into what is still standing today, before being remodeled in 1972 as the areas premier stage for Salem’s thespians.
Following a successful start with “Spring Awakening,” the theater will showcase a range of popular productions and exciting events now through December.
Fast approaching is the family favorite “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown,” directed by Megan Stacey with music direction by Iris Rogers and choreography by Kyle West, from May 5th to 14th. With toe-tapping tunes, dazzling choreography, and a cast of lovable characters that will steal your heart, this is a family-friendly experience you won’t want to miss.
The summer season heats up with the classic musical “Footloose,” directed by Courtnie Harrington and featuring dynamic new songs alongside beloved hits from its Oscar-nominated score. Berry Ayers music directs and Maya Krays choreographs. Get ready to rock out to songs like “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “Holding Out For A Hero”, “Almost Paradise” and more.
A special one-night event, “River of Dreams, A Billy Joel Tribute,” will take place on May 19th, showcasing all-time favorites such as “Uptown Girl” and “New York State of Mind.” Don’t miss this 5-piece authentic Billy Joel tribute band as they visit Salem on their tour.
“CORN: The Musical,” a special benefit concert performance, will take place on July 7th and 8th. The musical pays tribute to writer Al Budde and tells the story of a modern family farm and the struggles that come with it. The event features Dennis Budde, Sue Caputo, Dan Garfinkel, Jerry Gretzinger, Peter Kidd, Jordan LaMothe, Jessica O’Keefe, and Rosie Spring. This benefit brings together Jay Kerr (Corn’s songwriter and former Fort Salem Theater owner) and Kyle West (Fort Salem Theater’s newest owner) as co-directors.
On August 4th, the “The Little Mermaid Jr.” will be presented with a special event, “Lunch, Learn & Play,” co-hosted children’s programming with the Historic Salem Courthouse. Participation in the production is free to Salem students entering 6th-12th grade. The musical is directed by Lynn Ohle, music directed by Taylor Grupinski and choreographed by Peyton VanDerheyden.
From August 11-20, “The Pirates of Penzance” will take the stage, a hilarious operetta by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, directed and choreographed by Kyle West with music direction by Berry Ayers. Featuring a local cast of professional opera singers, experienced musical theater actors, and skilled students, “Pirates” is jam-packed with dutiful daughters, cowering constables, and softhearted swashbucklers, as well as a young pirate apprentice named Frederic approaching his 21st birthday and seeking out love and adventure – with many side steps along the way!
A trio of classics will close out the season, starting with “The Rocky Horror Show,” a cult classic, will run from October 20-31, including special midnight and Halloween night performances, while “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be held from November 16-19, transporting guests to a magical forest complete with live entertainment.
The theater’s tradition, “There’s (Still, Definitely) No Business Like Snow Business,” will close the season with 90 minutes of uplifting song and dance celebrating the winter holidays from December 8-10.
Tickets for all shows and events are available for purchase 24/7 on FortSalem.com
