2022 Drama League Award WINNERS

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY: The Lehman Trilogy

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY: Take Me Out

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL: A Strange Loop

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL: Company

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY: Kate Whoriskey, Clyde's

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL: Marianne Elliott, Company

THE DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD: Sutton Foster, The Music Man

BCfitasafiddle said: "THE DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD:Sutton Foster, The Music Man"

This is hilarious for some reason.

Don't get me wrong, she is WONDERFUL in Music Man. But better than Jaquel Spivey and Victoria Clark and Sharon D Clarke?? Not that this ~really~ matters, the DLs are a questionable bunch.

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 02:38 PM

Not that surprised by Sutton winning, since it's always felt more like a career award, not performance specific. But I am surprised that Victoria Clark didn't take it because she has the career and performance going for her. Ah well, love me some Sutton. 

yes, Victoria Clark will also be eligible next year. Jennifer Simard was nominated 3x for DISASTER in each of its incarnations, right?

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 02:43 PM

I hope Sutton goes on to win the Tony just to see everyone go nuts on this board. 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "THE DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD:Sutton Foster, The Music Man"

This is hilarious for some reason."

 

And I am HILARIOUSLY HAPPY  that Sutton won!  All is well with the world.

 

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 02:47 PM

HenryTDobson said: "I hope Sutton goes on to win the Tony just to see everyone go nuts on this board."

I'll never forget the 2011 Tonys because the board was exactly that when she won for Anything Goes when many predicted Patina Miller for Sister Act.

Regarding the Distinguished Performance Award: a strange winner from a strange set of nominees.

I know there are many people who love Foster's performance, and I don't mean to diminish the genuine passion that people clearly feel toward her performance. But it's unusual to see this award go to a secondary lead role like Marian, especially in a season with many powerhouse leading performances. It does feel, to a certain extent, like a legacy award, though I think the voters probably ALSO fell in the camp of those who loved her performance. 

Hard to know if this will actually have an effect on the Tonys. My money is on "no." I'm not sure we've ever seen any indication (in recent history) that the Drama League predicts an upset, or tips the scales in an uncertain category, though I'd be curious if there were examples to the contrary that I'm not thinking of. 

Definitely an interesting choice, as much as I adored Sutton’s performance. I imagine the vote was very spread out, so some concentrated passion took her over the edge. I definitely think she has a decent chance at the Tony, but this doesn’t feel like the right role for her third win.

Not upset at all about Sutton winning. Is it her most deserving performance across her incredible career so far? Not necessarily. But out of this year's crop of performers, I'm not mad. And she's certainly earned it from a career sense.

I'm more confused about Clyde's winning Best Direction over The Lehman Trilogy. And I'm also less than thrilled that A Strange Loop won over Six, but I guess that was to be expected.

JBroadway said: "Hard to know if this will actually have an effect on the Tonys. My money is on "no." I'm not sure we've ever seen any indication (in recent history) that the Drama League predicts an upset, or tips the scales in an uncertain category, though I'd be curious if there were examples to the contrary that I'm not thinking of."

The Drama League votership is a bigger joke than the Golden Globes. They like to do "career achievement" wins –– like Danny Burstein winning last year, Lin (Hamilton), Chita (The Visit), Nathan (the Nance). It is a pay-to-vote group, not a group of industry craftspeople or critics. I don't think it impacts the Tonys a bit.

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 05:18 PM

I don’t remember Sutton being anything other than a lock for Anything Goes.

I have considered that the votes get split this year and Sutton takes home another Tony.

I wish Clarke's show was still running because then it would be an absolute lock. While I still do think Clarke will win, it's going to be a tighter race than originally thought.