Drama League Winners

[ShuQ]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 12:26pm

The gala luncheon began about 30 minutes ago...any news yet?

[jsrocks]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 1:13pm

I've been looking but I haven't seen anything just yet.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 2:52pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/99539.html

History Boys
Jersey Boys
Awake and Sing
Sweeney Todd
Christine Ebersol

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 2:55pm

Yay Christine Ebersol!!!!!!!!!

TT

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:04pm

Didn't Patti Lupone win something too? I thought it was previously announced...?

[jsrocks]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:13pm

I hope there are some pictures of the event soon.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:14pm

Hurray for Christine! Noone is more deserving of that award!

[rickydrummer]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:16pm

I'm wondering -- how often do the Drama League awards align with the Tonys?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:28pm

Yaay Christine! Well deserved!

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:47pm

Rickydrummer, I think the Drama League Awards are more like the SAG Awards. Drama Desk is the important one that will most likely foreshadow the Tonys, I think.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 6:05pm

Ebersole, Awake and Sing!, The History Boys, Jersey Boys, and Sweeney Todd Win 2006 Drama League Awards
By: Brian Scott Lipton


At the Drama League's 72nd annual awards ceremony and luncheon, held today at the Marriott Marquis, Christine Ebersole received the 2006 Distinguished Performance Award for her work in the musical Grey Gardens. In addition, Distinguished Production awards were won by two new shows (The History Boys, Jersey Boys) and two revivals (Awake and Sing!, Sweeney Todd). Alan Cumming, star of The Threepenny Opera, hosted the event.

In her acceptance speech, Ebersole said that Grey Gardens will definitely transfer to Broadway in the fall. She also remarked that playing Edie Beale in the show "has been the most humbling experience of my theatrical career, and so much bigger than I ever would have imagined. She takes me to new heights and depths of my own soul." Ebersole was chosen from more than 70 performers who have been honored by the Drama League for their work this season. More than 50 of those performers, including Broadway first-timers Harry Connick, Jr., Cyndi Lauper, Julia Roberts, and David Schwimmer, sat on the dais during the luncheon and offered brief "thank you" speeches.

Among the most memorable moments of the event were Faith Healer star Ralph Fiennes thanking the crowd with a rhyming "ditty," [title of show] co-creator Hunter Bell reading an actual e-mail exchange between him and co-creator Jeff Bowen, and Nathan Lane -- honored for his work in both The Odd Couple and Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams -- asking why the Drama League "couldn't throw a bone" to Suzanne Somers and her solo show, The Blonde in the Thunderbird. Said Lane: "She's like a Katrina victim; she also survived a disaster." He also described the Drama League gathering as "like Festen, but without the incest."

Three special awards were presented during the luncheon. Playwright Terrence McNally honored Marian Seldes, recipient of the League's award for Unique Contribution to the Theater, calling her both "the First Lady of the American Stage" and its "high priestess." Seldes, who received a lengthy standing ovation, said, "the theater has given me everything I ever dreamed of."

Stephen Sondheim presented Sweeney Todd star Patti LuPone with the award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater. LuPone thanked all of her teachers from grade school onward, ending with a special mention of Seldes, whom she called "my champion at Juilliard." Lastly, writer Aaron Sorkin presented the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing to DesMcAnuff, the director of Jersey Boys.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 6:09pm

Hurray, Grey Gardens Broadway transfer! Christine didnt lie to me!

Updated On: 5/5/06 at 06:09 PM

[jerseyboyslover]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 6:46pm

YAY!!! JERSEY BOYS!!!

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 11:36pm

Yay Jersey Boys

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 11:54pm

The History Boys









that's all i have to say

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/6/06 at 12:05am

"Stephen Sondheim presented Sweeney Todd star Patti LuPone with the award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater."

Is she distinguished because in 33 years she has only created one musical role in NYC, unless you count Working?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/6/06 at 12:12am

I love Jersey Boys as much as the next guy, but I honestly think Distinguished Production of a Musical should have gone to [title of show].

Updated On: 5/6/06 at 12:12 AM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 5/6/06 at 12:14am

Lupone also created the role of Rosamund in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM (and was Tony nominated for it).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/6/06 at 12:18am

"Lupone also created the role of Rosamund in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM (and was Tony nominated for it)."

That's the one role I meant