The Drama League has revealed the recipients of its 2025 special awards. As previously reported, the ceremony honoring achievement in theater both on and Off-Broadway will take place on May 16. In addition to seven competitive categories, the awards body also makes annual special citations.
Tony Award winner Lea Salonga will be honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award. Salonga made her Broadway debut in a Tony-winning turn as Kim in 1991’s “Miss Saigon.” Salonga subsequently replaced in both the original (as Eponine) and revival (as Fantine) productions of “Les Misérables,” and appeared in “Flower Drum Song,” “Allegiance,” “Once on This Island” and “Here Lies Love.” Salonga is next slated to appear in the spring 2025 Main Stem transfer of the Stephen Sondheim revue “Old Friends.”
Whitney White will receive the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing. White, a 2024 Tony nominee for helming Jocelyn Bioh’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” will direct the upcoming Main Stem revival of “The Last Five Years.” Beyond Broadway, White’s work in the 2024-2025 season alone includes directing “Walden” for Second Stage Theatre, “Liberation” with Roundabout Theatre Company” and “Macbeth in Stride” at BAM.
Producing duo Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron will be jointly acknowledged with the Gratitude Award, which acknowledges leadership and commitment to the Broadway industry. Greenblatt and Meron are the lead producers of “Smash,” which will bow on Broadway in April. The pair previously collaborated on the producing team of 2023 Best Musical Tony Award nominee “Some Like It Hot.”
Finally, the Contribution to the Theater Award will be presented to Audible Theater and Kate Navin for their commitment to furthering the art of the American theater. Navin is head of creative development for North America at Audible, which releases live audio recordings (as audiobooks) of their theater productions. Audible’s first Broadway production, “Dead Outlaw,” will open in April.
The Drama League ceremony will be hosted by Frank DiLella.
Founded in 1916, the Drama League provides training, resources and mentorship to directors. Gabriel Stelian-Shanks and Bevin Ross currently serve as the organization’s artistic director and executive director, respectively.
