The Drama League (founded in 1916, as one of the longest-running arts service organizations in the country, providing life-long artistic resources for directors) has announced that two past Drama League Distinguished Performance Award nominees – Tony Award winner and André De Shields (Hadestown) and Tony Award nominee Denée Benton (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) – will host the announcement of the 2022 Drama League Awards nominations on Monday, April 25, beginning at 11 am, at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The event will also be livestreamed via BroadwayWorld.
First presented in 1922, and formalized in 1935, the Drama League Awards honor the outstanding accomplishments of the theatrical community in the following categories: Distinguished Performance Award; Outstanding Production of a Play; Outstanding Production of a Musical; Outstanding Revival of a Play; and Outstanding Revival of a Musical. For the first time this year, the 88th Annual Drama League Awards will also include two new directing categories: Outstanding Direction of a Play; and Outstanding Direction of a Musical.
The 2022 Awards will recognize eligible Broadway and Off-Broadway productions (non-virtual only) that began preview performances between March 16, 2021, and April 23, 2022, and will be presented in person at The Ziegfeld Ballroom, located at 141 West 54th Street, on Friday, May 20, at noon.
As was previously announced, Lileana Blain-Cruz, Billy Crystal, Hugh Jackman, and Willette Murphy Klausner are this year’s Special Recognition Honorees. Hugh Jackman will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award for his outstanding work on stage and in film as part of the musical theater community; Billy Crystal will be presented with the Contribution to the Theater Award for his extraordinary work on stages across the country and his commitment to mentorship in the field; Lileana Blain-Cruz will be honored with the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing for her significant contributions to the field of directing; and producer Willette Murphy Klausner will be honored with the Gratitude Award in recognition of her leadership, commitment, and dedication to theater and the entertainment industry.
For more information, and to register for the in-person event in May, visit the Drama League website.
