2024 Drama League Award nominations announced

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:45am

Hesitant to even make this thread, as the Drama League does not deserve any credibility, but the omissions are always more interesting than the inclusions.

Ten new Broadway musicals were nominated for Best Musical (Harmony, Heart of Rock n Roll, Hell’s Kitchen, Illinoise, Lempicka, Notebook, Outsiders, Suffs, Water for Elephants) in addition to several Off-Broadway musicals. Somehow, Illinoise's Broadway producers were deemed eligible and named in the press release, despite the show not yet starting previews on Broadway, which is laughable but not exactly surprising!

By my calculation, the only new Broadway musicals that DIDN’T get nominated for Best Musical are:

• Days of Wine and Roses
• How to Dance in Ohio
• Once Upon a Time One More Time
• Back to the Future
• Great Gatsby

Updated On: 4/22/24 at 10:45 AM

[Voter]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:48am

Was Days of Wine and Roses not eligible since it was eligible due to the off-Broadway run?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:50am

Voter said: "Was Days of Wine and Roses not eligible since it was eligible due to the off-Broadway run?"

Kelli is nominated (but not Brian) and the release says nothing about the run not being eligible, but perhaps there is a strange rule in play.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:52am

"IMPORTANT NOTES The production of Here We Are was not considered for eligibility this season, at the production’s request."

I wonder what the reason is......??!!?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:57am

The8re phan said: ""IMPORTANT NOTES The production of Here We Are was not considered for eligibility this season, at the production’s request."

I wonder what the reason is......??!!?"

I have no idea WHY they chose to do this, but it was previously reported or rumored that they would not be inviting the Lortels, DDs, OCCs, DLs, etc. to consider it. 

Perhaps the belief is "you can't lose an award if you aren't nominated" (even though it would probably stand a good chance of sweeping all Best Musical and Score awards).

[Sauja]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:02am

It usually goes to a Broadway performance, so my money is on Best Performance going to Groff or Paulson, but if someone from off-Broadway were to sneak in, I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Cole Escola managed to nab it. 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:07am

Voter said: "Was Days of Wine and Roses not eligible since it was eligible due to the off-Broadway run?"

I don't believe it was eligible last season off-Broadway since their dates were May 5, 2023 - July 16, 2023. They just didn't get nominated. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:10am

In a just world, that award goes to Gabby Beans.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:24am

Jessica Lange seems likely to win. I would personally love to see Leslie Odom Jr. take it. 

[Jeff Tupolski]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:25am

I’m gonna guess Distinguished Performance is gonna go to one of these folks

• Kelli O’Hara, Days of Wine and Roses
• Leslie Odom Jr., Purlie Victorious
• Sarah Paulson, Appropriate
• Jeremy Strong, An Enemy of the People

I’d have included Jonathan Groff, but if he’s already being honored, then I don’t think he wins this too. I think Kelli takes it with Leslie coming in second.

Updated On: 4/22/24 at 11:25 AM

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:25am

Technically Gatsby did get one for Eva.

Are the Drama League Awards ever an indicator for the TONYs? In other words, should Gatsby be worried?

(Haven't seen it, have no opinion, I just love awards season).

[cupofcoffee13]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:30am

I’m curious too! Obviously the DL has a different voting body but wondering if shows have ever been nominated for Tonys that weren’t nominated by the League & vice versa?

[BJR]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:31am

Sauja said: "It usually goes to a Broadway performance, so my money is on Best Performance going to Groff or Paulson, but if someone from off-Broadwaywere to sneak in, I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Cole Escola managed to nab it."

Completely agree. My money is on those 3.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:31am

KARA YOUNG HIVE RISE UP!

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:53am

The same Ohio producer who mouthed off on Twitter during the run is now complaining that it was the "only" Broadway musical not nominated for Drama League. As the above count shows, that's not true.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 11:54am

Yeah, I wouldn't expect Groff to win if they're already giving him the MT Award.

The Leagues are rarely an indicator for the Tonys, especially recently. It doesn't HURT to be nominated, of course. But this isn't going to help Heart of Rock & Roll's chances at a Best Musical nom (for example).

[James2]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:04pm

The Drama League previously only nominated two performers per production, but Groff, Mendez, and Radcliffe are all nominated for Merrily.  Did they change the rule recently?

[heybaby]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:05pm

The DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES snub is truly so bizarre.

[Miss10036]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:06pm

I know these are usually odd, but interesting that Maleah Joi Moon didn’t get a nod.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:08pm

James2 said: "The Drama League previously only nominated two performers per production, but Groff, Mendez, and Radcliffe are all nominated for Merrily. Did they change the rule recently?"

They must have silently changed the rule or made an exception.

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:12pm

No Chip? Umm, okay. 

[kwoc91]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:18pm

I'm personally thrilled to see a Zenzi Williams nomination for Jaja's African Hair Braiding!

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 12:27pm

Miss10036 said: "I know these are usually odd, but interesting that Maleah Joi Moon didn’t get a nod."

Yes, she and Days of Wine/Roses seem to be the real two absurd snubs that I can tell. And good example of why this list has so little bearing on the actual awards season---they are both locks for their categories, I'd bet.

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 1:20pm

Brian d’Arcy James missing is silly. At the same time, I’m glad to see Dorian Harewood included and I hope he continues to be recognized through the rest of the season.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 1:28pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "The8re phan said: ""IMPORTANT NOTES The production of Here We Are was not considered for eligibility this season, at the production’s request."

I wonder what the reason is......??!!?"

I have no idea WHY they chose to do this, but it was previously reported or rumored that they would not be inviting the Lortels, DDs, OCCs, DLs, etc. to consider it.

Perhaps the belief is "you can't lose an award if you aren't nominated" (even though it would probably stand a good chance of sweeping all Best Musical and Score awards)."

Probably the same reason the Jake/Annaleigh revival of Sunday withdrew from awards consideration:

The producers reportedly released a statement saying: “The producers of Sunday in the Park with George will not be submitting Hudson Theatre’s engagement of this New York City Center production for awards eligibility. With a season so full of tremendous, soon-to-be long-running new musicals and revivals, the producers feel this extremely limited, special run of Sunday stands most appropriately outside of any awards competition. The production is nevertheless proud to be part of such a landmark Broadway season.”