Co-hosts and Broadway co-stars Kristine Nielsen and Julie White (of “Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus”) raised the curtain on the winners of the 2019 Drama League Awards in a May 17 lunch ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
Taking the prize for Outstanding Production of a Musical was songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s mythic folk musical “Hadestown.” Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman,” a sprawling, three-hour exploration of an Irish family and its secrets, won for Outstanding Production of a Play. Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Kiss Me, Kate,” Cole Porter’s exuberant adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” received the Outstanding Revival of a Musical Award, while Kenneth Lonergan’s memory play “The Waverly Gallery” won Outstanding Revival of a Play.
Of the 53 actors nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award, Bryan Cranston, currently starring on Broadway in the stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film “Network,” emerged victorious. Cranston follows in the footsteps of Glenda Jackson, who picked up the award last year for “Three Tall Women,” and such luminaries as Sir John Gielgud, Chita Rivera, James Earl Jones, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The Drama League Awards—voted on by audiences, artists, producers, and others in the theater community—often foreshadow the Tony Awards. In 2018, four of the five Drama League winners went on to win Tonys in their respective categories. (The exception was the Lincoln Center revival of “My Fair Lady,” upstaged at the Tonys by “Once on This Island.”)
Countdown to the Tonys: Your Official 2019 NYC Theater Awards Calendar
As previously announced, the Drama League today issued additional awards to actor Kelli O’Hara (Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre), director Alex Timbers (Founders Award for Excellence in Directing), and label-defying artist Taylor Mac (Unique Contribution to the Theatre). All three have shows running on Broadway; O’Hara stars in “Kiss Me, Kate,” Timbers directs “Beetlejuice,” and Mac is the playwright behind “Gary.”
Also recognized at today’s ceremony were the Drama League’s 2019 Directing Fellows, early-career directors selected for a year of professional development from industry veterans. For a list of the Fellows and other information about the Drama League, visit www.dramaleague.org.
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