Drama League Award

Annual awards for theater in North America

The Drama League Awards, created in 1922, honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing.^[1] Each May, the awards are presented by The Drama League at the Annual Awards Luncheon with performers, directors, producers, and Drama League members in attendance. The Drama League membership comprises the entire theater community, including award-winning actors, designers, directors, playwrights, producers, industry veterans, critics and theater-going audiences from across the U.S.^[2]^[3]

The Drama League Awards are the oldest awards honoring theater in North America. The awards were established in 1922, and formalized in 1935.^[4]^[5] Katharine Cornell was the recipient of the first Distinguished Performance Award in 1935.^[1] Seven competitive awards are presented: Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, the Distinguished Performance Award,^[2] and, as of 2022, Outstanding Direction of a Play and Outstanding Direction of a Musical.^[6] The Distinguished Performance Award is presented to one performer every year, and the recipient can only receive the award once in his or her career.^[7] The Drama League also bestow three special honors at the awards ceremony: Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater, Unique Contribution to the Theater, and The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.^[3]^[5] The award statues are designed by New York firm Society Awards.^[8]

Categories of awards

Outstanding Production of a Play
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Direction of a Play (added in 2022)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (added in 2022)
Distinguished Performance

Additionally, an honorary award may be given in the following categories:

Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Unique Contribution to the Theatre
The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

List of winners

The Distinguished Performance Award, originally known as the Delia Austrian Medal, was first presented in 1935, to Katharine Cornell for Romeo and Juliet. The first recipient of the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing was Daniel J. Sullivan in 2000. Actor Yul Brynner was the first recipient of the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award in 1985. The Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award was first bestowed in 1982 to the New York Production of Nicholas Nickelby: Bernard Jacobs, Gerald Schoenfeld, James M. Nederlander, Elizabeth McCann, and Nelle Nugent.^[5]

Winners 2022–2023

Source: Playbill.com^[9]

Annaleigh Ashford for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Distinguished Performance Award
Some Like It Hot – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Leopoldstadt – Outstanding Production of a Play
Into the Woods – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
A Doll's House – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Lear deBessonet for Into the Woods - Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Anne Kauffman for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window – Outstanding Direction of a Play
André De Shields – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Drama Book Shop – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Lear deBessonet – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2021–2022

Source: Playbill.com^[10]

Sutton Foster for The Music Man – Distinguished Performance Award
A Strange Loop – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Lehman Trilogy – Outstanding Production of a Play
Company – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Take Me Out – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Marianne Elliott for Company – Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Kate Whoriskey for Clyde's – Outstanding Direction of a Play
Hugh Jackman – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Billy Crystal – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Lileana Blain-Cruz – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2019–2020

Source: Playbill.com^[11]

Danny Burstein for Moulin Rouge! – Distinguished Performance Award
Moulin Rouge! – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Inheritance – Outstanding Production of a Play
Little Shop of Horrors – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
A Soldier's Play – Outstanding Revival of a Play
James Lapine – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Terrence McNally – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Marianne Elliott – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2018–2019

Source: Playbill.com^[12]

Bryan Cranston for Network – Distinguished Performance Award
Hadestown – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Ferryman – Outstanding Production of a Play
Kiss Me, Kate – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
The Waverly Gallery – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Kelli O'Hara – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Taylor Mac – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Alex Timbers – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2017–2018

Source: Playbill.com^[13]

Glenda Jackson for Three Tall Women – Distinguished Performance Award
The Band's Visit – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Outstanding Production of a Play
My Fair Lady – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Angels in America – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Idina Menzel – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
National Endowment for the Arts – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Casey Nicholaw – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2016–2017

Source: Playbill.com^[14]

Ben Platt for Dear Evan Hansen – Distinguished Performance Award
Dear Evan Hansen – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Oslo – Outstanding Production of a Play
Hello, Dolly! – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Jitney – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Bette Midler – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Bill Berloni – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Michael Greif – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2015–2016

Source: Playbill.com^[15]

Lin-Manuel Miranda for Hamilton – Distinguished Performance Award
Hamilton – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Humans – Outstanding Production of a Play
The Color Purple – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
A View from the Bridge – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Sheldon Harnick – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Deaf West Theatre – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Ivo van Hove – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2014–2015

Source: Playbill.com^[16]

Chita Rivera for The Visit – Distinguished Performance Award
An American in Paris – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Outstanding Production of a Play
The King and I – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
You Can't Take It with You – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Joel Grey – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award
Neal Shapiro and David Horn – Unique Contribution to the Theater Award
Stephen Daldry – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2013–2014

Source: Playbill.com^[17]

Neil Patrick Harris for Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Distinguished Performance Award
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder – Outstanding Production of a Musical
All the Way – Outstanding Production of a Play
Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
The Glass Menagerie – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Barbara Cook – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Key Brand Entertainment/Broadway Across America: John Gore – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
John Tiffany – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2012–2013

Source: Playbill.com^[18]

Nathan Lane for The Nance – Distinguished Performance Award
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Outstanding Production of a Play
Kinky Boots – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Pippin – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Bernadette Peters – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award (presented by Joel Grey)
Madison Square Garden Entertainment & the Rockettes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award (Presented by Tommy Tune)
Jerry Mitchell – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Presented by Cyndi Lauper)

Winners 2011–2012

Source: Playbill.com^[19]

Audra McDonald for Porgy and Bess – Distinguished Performance Award
Other Desert Cities – Outstanding Production of a Play
Death of a Salesman – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Once – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Follies – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Alan Menken – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Rosie O'Donnell – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
Diane Paulus – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (formerly the Julia Hansen Award)

Winners 2010–2011

Source: Playbill.com^[20]

Mark Rylance for Jerusalem and La Bête – Distinguished Performance Award
War Horse – Outstanding Production of a Play
The Book of Mormon – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Normal Heart – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Anything Goes – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Whoopi Goldberg – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
Liza Minnelli – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Susan Stroman – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.

Winners 2009–2010

Source: Playbill.com^[21]

Alfred Molina for Red – Distinguished Performance Award
Sondheim on Sondheim – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Red – Outstanding Production of a Play
La Cage aux Folles – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
A View from the Bridge – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Nathan Lane – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Kenny Leon – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2008–2009

Source:Playbill.com^[22]

Geoffrey Rush for Exit the King – Distinguished Performance Award
God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza – Outstanding Production of a Play
Billy Elliot The Musical, Music by Elton John; Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Hair, Music by Galt MacDermot; Book, Lyrics by Gerome Ragni, James Rado – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Elton John – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Arthur Laurents – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Angela Lansbury – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Herb Blodgett – The 75th Anniversary Leadership Award

Winners 2007–2008

Source:Variety^[23]

Patti LuPone for Gypsy – Distinguished Performance Award
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts – Outstanding Production of a Play
A Catered Affair, Book by Harvey Fierstein; Music and Lyrics by John Bucchino – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Macbeth by William Shakespeare – Outstanding Revival of a Play
South Pacific, Book by Joshua Logan and Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Paul Gemignani – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
Bartlett Sher – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Ellen Stewart – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2006–2007

Liev Schreiber for Talk Radio and Macbeth – Distinguished Performance Award
The Coast of Utopia – Outstanding Production of a Play
Spring Awakening – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Journey's End – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Company – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
John Kander and Fred Ebb – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Michael Mayer – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2005–2006

Christine Ebersole for Grey Gardens – Distinguished Performance Award
The History Boys – Outstanding Production of a Play
Jersey Boys – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Awake and Sing! – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Sweeney Todd – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Patti LuPone – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Marian Seldes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Des McAnuff- Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2004–2005

Norbert Leo Butz for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Distinguished Performance Award
Doubt – Outstanding Production of a Play
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Twelve Angry Men – Outstanding Revival of a Play
La Cage aux Folles – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
BMI Musical Theatre Workshop – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
The Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Mike Nichols – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2003–2004

Hugh Jackman for The Boy from Oz– Distinguished Performance Award
I Am My Own Wife – Outstanding Production of a Play
Wicked – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Henry IV – Outstanding Revival of a Play
Assassins – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Donna Murphy – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
City Center Encores – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
George C. Wolfe – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2002–2003

Harvey Fierstein for Hairspray – Distinguished Performance Award
Take Me Out – Outstanding Production of a Play
Hairspray – Outstanding Production of a Musical
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg – Outstanding Revival
Twyla Tharp – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Roundabout Theatre Company: Todd Haimes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Joe Mantello – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2001–2002

Metamorphoses – Outstanding Production of a Play
Urinetown – Outstanding Production of a Musical
The Crucible – Outstanding Revival
Liam Neeson for The Crucible – Distinguished Performance Award
Elaine Stritch – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Julia Hansen – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Sir Richard Eyre – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2000–2001

Proof – Outstanding Production of a Play
The Producers – Outstanding Production of a Musical
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – Outstanding Revival
Mary-Louise Parker for Proof and Gary Sinise for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – Distinguished Performance Award
Susan Stroman – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry, Gary Sinise – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Jack O'Brien – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 1999–2000

Copenhagen – Outstanding Production of a Play
Contact – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Kiss Me, Kate – Outstanding Revival
Eileen Heckart for The Waverly Gallery – Distinguished Performance Award
Audra McDonald – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Actors Theatre of Louisville: Jon Jory – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
Daniel Sullivan – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 1998–1999

Wit – Outstanding Production of a Play
Fosse – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Death of a Salesman – Outstanding Revival
Kathleen Chalfant for Wit – Distinguished Performance Award
Ann Reinking and Gwen Verdon – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Sir David Hare – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1997–1998

The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Outstanding Production of a Play
Ragtime – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Cabaret – Outstanding Revival
Brian Stokes Mitchell for Ragtime – Distinguished Performance Award
Julie Taymor – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
The Brooklyn Academy of Music: Harvey Lichtenstein – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1996–1997

The Last Night of Ballyhoo – Outstanding Production of a Play
The Life – Outstanding Production of a Musical
Chicago – Outstanding Revival
Charles Durning for The Gin Game and Bebe Neuwirth for Chicago – Distinguished Performance Award
Gerard Alessandrini – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
Jason Robards – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1995–1996

Seven Guitars – Outstanding Production of a Play
Rent – Outstanding Production of a Musical
A Delicate Balance – Outstanding Revival
Uta Hagen for Mrs. Klein – Distinguished Performance Award
George C. Wolfe – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
The 42nd Street Development Project, The New 42nd Street, The Walt Disney Company, Livent – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners history

List of winners, 1935 through 2014.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b "Winners of Drama League Awards Announced". Playbill. May 20, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Special Awards Recipients Announced". The Drama League. March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Drama League Awards". The Drama League. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ "Ben Platt, Sutton Foster, and Josh Groban Among 2017 Drama League Award Nominees". Playbill. April 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Award History". The Drama League. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ "Nominations Announced for 88th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
^ "Ben Platt, Sutton Foster, and Josh Groban Among 2017 Drama League Award Nominees". Playbill. April 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ "Cook, Davis, Hayes, Schreiber and Walken Will Be Presenters at Drama League Awards". Playbill. May 11, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ "Some Like It Hot, Annaleigh Ashford, Leopoldstadt, More Win 2023 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
^ "The Lehman Trilogy, A Strange Loop, Sutton Foster, More Are Winners of 88th Annual Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
^ "Moulin Rouge! and Danny Burstein Among 2020 Drama League Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
^ "Network's Bryan Cranston, Hadestown Among 2019 Drama League Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
^ "Glenda Jackson, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Among 2018 Drama League Award Winners | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
^ "Dear Evan Hansen's Ben Platt, Hello, Dolly! and More Are Winners of Drama League Awards | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
^ Gans, Andrew."Winners of Drama League Awards Announced" playbill.com, May 20, 2016
^ Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert. " 'An American in Paris', 'Curious Incident' and Chita Rivera Win Drama League Awards" Archived May 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, May 15, 2015
^ Gans, Andrew. "80th Annual Drama League Award Winners Announced; Neil Patrick Harris Wins Distinguished Performance Honor" Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 16, 2014
^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Kinky Boots', 'Pippin', 'Vanya and Sonia', 'Virginia 'Woolf? and More Win Drama League Awards" Archived 2013-06-15 at archive.today playbill.com, May 17, 2013
^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Other Desert Cities', 'Salesman', 'Follies', 'Once', Audra McDonald Are Drama League Winners" Archived 2012-05-20 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 18, 2012
^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Mormon', 'War Horse', 'Normal Heart', 'Anything Goes', Mark Rylance Win Drama League Awards" Archived September 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 20, 2011
^ Gans, Andrew."Sondheim, 'Red', 'Bridge', 'La Cage' and Molina Win Drama League Awards" Archived 2010-07-26 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 21, 2010
^ Gans, Andrew.Billy, Carnage, Hair, Blithe and Rush Win Drama League Awards" Archived May 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, May 15, 2009
^ Cox, Gordon. " 'Catered Affair' nabs League honor" Variety, May 16, 2008