Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award 2022

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Denee-Benton-Andre-De-Shields-To-Announce-2022-Drama-League-Award-Nominations-20220328

With today’s announcement, I think it’s time to start discussing one of the most fascinating awards in the industry: the Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award, where every eligible actor – both on and off Broadway -- competes in a single acting category, with dozens of nominees and one winner per season. 

Because an actor can only win the award once in their lifetime, at least 3 actors from this season are ineligible, due to having previously won: Patti LuPone, Hugh Jackman, Mary-Louise Parker 

Also note that actors CAN be nominated more than once for the same performance, but I believe there can only be 2 nominees maximum per show (actually not positive about that? I just feel like that’s usually the case) 

Who do we think could walk away with the top prize? Sharon D. Clarke would be a good contender I think. 

In any case, here are some people I hope and/or expect will be nominated:

Uzo Aduba – Clyde’s 
Alfie Allen – Hangmen 
Tala Ashe - English + Vagrant Trilogy
Simon Russell Beale – Lehman 
Francis Benhamou – Prayer for the French Republic 
Joshua Boone – Skeleton Crew 
Bill Camp – Long Day’s Journey
Sharon D. Clarke – Caroline or Change 
Victoria Clark – Kimberly Akimbo 
Chuck Cooper – Trouble in Mind 
Carmen Cusack – Flying Over Sunset
Emily Davis – Is This a Room 
Brandon Victor Dixon – Black No More
Matt Doyle – Company 
Caleb Eberhardt – On Sugarland 
Adam Godley – Lehman 
Andy Groteleuschen – Assassins 
Harry Hadden-Paton – Flying Over Sunset 
Cindy Im – Chinese Lady 
Billy Eugen Jones – On Sugarland 
Judy Kuhn – Assassins 
Joaquina Kulakango – Paradise Square 
LaChanze – Trouble in Mind 
Tamika Lawrence – Caroline + Black No More 
Katrina Lenk - Company 
Taylor Mac – The Hang 
Elizabeth Marvel – Long Day’s Journey 
Nana Mensah – Nollywood Dreams 
Bonnie Milligan – Kimberly Akimbo 
David Morse – How I Learned to Drive 
Marjan Neshat – English + Selling Kabul + Wish You Were Here
Dierdre O’Connell—Dana H 
Bryonha Marie Parham – Regina Comet 
Austin Pendleton – The Minutes 
Austin Scott – North Country 
Jaquel Spivey – A Strange Loop
Cecily Strong – Search for Signs 
John Douglas Thompson – Merchant of Venice 
Mare Winningham – North Country 
Kara Young – Clyde’s

Plus, I’m sure, many great performances from shows that I (or anybody) haven’t seen yet, as well as some great performances that I missed, or performances that I forgot to include. 

Any major additions? 

Updated On: 3/29/22 at 04:00 PM

Anyone else think David Morse wins? I’m having trouble thinking who else would fit the bill of winner here, and with his raves and the ineligibility of his similarly acclaimed costar, I’m feeling like it’s his.

I think there is a chance Deirdre O’Connell wins for DANA H.

IdinaBellFoster said: "I think there is a chance Deirdre O’Connell wins for DANA H."

A really good point.

Do they try to anoint Victoria Clark pre-Broadway?

Jaquel Spivey and Myles Frost probably cancel each other out as young newcomers, but maybe this is Sharon D. Clarke’s award?

Of all the awards groups, the Drama League is probably the least likely to have seen Clyde’s and Skeleton Crew at the height of Omicron. 

Nominees announced

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2022-Drama-League-Awards-Nominations-Announced--Full-List-20220425

I glanced quickly at the rest of the competitive categories, but I didn't look closely enough at them to have an opinion yet. 

I mainly looked at the Performance award, and wow....this is some BS. I've been following this award for the past 7-ish years (?) and form my money, this is one of the worst lists I've seen. SO many egregious omissions, and SO many middle-of-the-road "acceptable" performances nominated.

I feel like they are usually pretty good about representing the full season of Off-Broadway plays, even those without high-profile stars. But this list feels very Broadway heavy, very musical heavy, and very celebrity heavy. And maybe that wouldn't matter so much if there hadn't been so many strong performances Off-Broadway this year. 

Here are some of the most egregious omissions IMO (not only limited to Off-Broadway plays) 

Tala Ashe - English + Vagrant Trilogy
Francis Benhamou – Prayer for the French Republic 
Chuck Cooper - Trouble in Mind 
Emily Davis – Is This a Room 
Johanna Day - How I Learned to Drive
Caleb Eberhardt – On Sugarland 
Shannon Tyo – Chinese Lady 
Billy Eugene Jones – On Sugarland 
Tamika Lawrence – Caroline + Black No More 
Katrina Lenk - Company 
Nana Mensah – Nollywood Dreams 
Austin Pendleton – The Minutes 
John Douglas Thompson – Merchant of Venice 
Mare Winningham – North Country 
Kara Young – Clyde’s

Nobody from Assassins except the miscast Will Swenson?