Drama Desk vs Tony Awards

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 11:03pm

I've thought about this before from time to time: does it annoy or confuse anyone else that there are obviously different rules for acting categories in the Drama Desks and the Tony Awards? what I mean is...there are differences between who is considered featuring and lead at the Drama Desks versus at the Tonys. the two examples that come to mind are Joanna Gleason in Into the Woods (winning a Drama Desk award for featured actress in a musical and a Tony Award for leading actress) and Debra Monk in Curtains (also winning a Drama Desk for featured actress in a musical and being nominated for a leading actress Tony).

does anyone know how it's decided who is featured and leading for the two award shows? (other than, like, being billed above the title)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 11:07pm

The Tonys use the above the title title rule, unless the show's producers specifically petition the nominating committee to consider otherwise for specific performers.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/11/08 at 11:36pm

There aren't any hard and fast rules for the Drama Desk, they just decide which categories actors should be placed in. Billing generally isn't taken into consideration.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 11:45am

They are different awards and have every right to make those determinations on their own accord.

And while I am oft baffled by the differences...in no way does it annoy me.

[wonkit]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 9:30pm

Drama Desk includes off-Broadway productions, and Tonys do not (except for regional and other special awards).

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/12/08 at 10:33pm

well, yes, I knew that the Drama Desk includes off-Broadway productions.

and dramamama, I think annoy was a poor word choice. more emphasis on being confused by it.