Nominees have been announced for the 2023 Drama Desk Awards, honoring artistic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway. Winners will be announced the week of May 29. The 67th annual ceremony will take place on June 6 at Sardi’s Restaurant in midtown Manhattan.
As previously announced, this is the first year in which acting categories are gender-free. As a result, there are more nominees in each of those four categories.
The original Broadway musical “Shucked” leads as the production with the most nominations, totaling 12. Broadway’s “Some Like it Hot” received eight nods, while the 2022 Broadway revival of “Into the Woods” and the Main Stem’s latest musical to open “New York, New York” received six nominations each.
New play “Life of Pi,” the revival of “Ohio State Murders” and the revival of “The Piano Lesson” tied for the most nominations among Broadway plays with five nominations each.
Of note: Broadway productions with recent Off-Broadway runs in prior seasons were only considered for elements that constituted new work. This affected this season’s Broadway productions of “Ain’t No Mo’,” “Between Riverside and Crazy,” “Cost of Living,” “Kimberly Akimbo,” “KPOP” and “The Thanksgiving Play.” Regarding Broadway’s “Cost of Living,” actor Kara Young was deemed eligible, as Young was not a part of the Off-Broadway production that was judged in a previous season. Also of note, Jodie Comer scored a nod in the Outstanding Solo Performance category for “Prima Facie.”
A full list of 2023 Drama Desk Award nominations can be found below.
Outstanding Play
“A Case for the Existence of God,” by Samuel D. Hunter, Signature Theatre
“Fat Ham,” by James Ijames, The Public Theater and National Black Theatre
“Leopoldstadt” by Tom Stoppard
“Love,” by Alexander Zeldin, Park Avenue Armory
“Prima Facie” by Suzie Miller
“Wish You Were Here,” by Sanaz Toossi, Playwrights Horizons
Outstanding Musical
“& Juliet”
“Between the Lines”
“F*ck7thGrade,” The Wild Project
“Shucked”
“Some Like It Hot”
“White Girl in Danger,” Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Outstanding Revival of a Play
“A Raisin in the Sun,” The Public Theater
“Death of a Salesman”
“Endgame,” Irish Repertory Theatre
“The Piano Lesson”
“Ohio State Murders”
“Wedding Band,” Theatre for a New Audience
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
“A Man of No Importance,” Classic Stage Company
“Into the Woods”
“Merrily We Roll Along,” New York Theatre Workshop
“Parade”
“Sweeney Todd”
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Hiran Abeysekera, “Life of Pi”
Kyle Beltran, “A Case for the Existence of God,” Signature Theatre
Will Brill, “A Case for the Existence of God,” Signature Theatre
Brittany Bradford, “Wedding Band,” Theatre for a New Audience
Jessica Chastain, “A Doll’s House”
Sharon D. Clarke, “Death of a Salesman”
Sean Hayes, “Good Night, Oscar”
Denise Manning, “Amani,” National Black Theatre and Rattlestick Theater
Audra McDonald, “Ohio State Murders”
Wendell Pierce, “Death of a Salesman”
John Douglas Thompson, “Endgame,” Irish Repertory Theatre
Kara Young, “Twelfth Night,” The Classical Theatre of Harlem
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, “Sweeney Todd”
Nicholas Barasch, “The Butcher Boy,” Irish Repertory Theatre
Sara Bareilles, “Into the Woods”
Andrew Burnap, “Camelot”
Micaela Diamond, “Parade”
Andrew Durand, “Shucked”
Callum Francis, “Kinky Boots,” Stage 42
J. Harrison Ghee, “Some Like It Hot”
Jonathan Groff, “Merrily We Roll Along,” New York Theatre Workshop
Somi Kakoma, “Dreaming Zenzile,” New York Theatre Workshop|
Lindsay Mendez, “Merrily We Roll Along,” New York Theatre Workshop
Anna Uzele, “New York, New York”
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Emily Bergl, “Good Night, Oscar”
Danielle Brooks, “The Piano Lesson”
Amelda Brown, “Love,” Park Avenue Armory
Ray Fisher, “The Piano Lesson”
K. Todd Freeman, “Downstate,” Playwrights Horizons
Francis Guinan, “Downstate,” Playwrights Horizons
Nick Holder, “Love,” Park Avenue Armory
Arian Moayed, “A Doll’s House”
Brian Quijada, “Wolf Play,” MCC Theater and Soho Rep
Miriam Silverman, “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window,” Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brandon Uranowitz, “Leopoldstadt”
Kara Young, “Cost of Living”
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
Kevin Cahoon, “Shucked”
Kevin Del Aguila, “Some Like It Hot”
Robyn Hurder, “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical”
Mark Jacoby, “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical”
Tarra Conner Jones, “White Girl in Danger,” Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage
Theater
Julia Lester, “Into the Woods”
Alex Newell, “Shucked”
Daniel Radcliffe, “Merrily We Roll Along,” New York Theatre Workshop
Phillipa Soo, “Into the Woods”
Mare Winningham, “A Man of No Importance,” Classic Stage Company
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Zi Alikhan, “On That Day in Amsterdam,” Primary Stages
Shayok Misha Chowdhury, “Public Obscenities,” Soho Rep and NAATCO
Miranda Cromwell, “Death of a Salesman”
Adam Meggido, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”
Max Webster, “Life of Pi”
Alexander Zeldin, “Love,” Park Avenue Armory
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Jeff Calhoun, “Between the Lines,” Tony Kiser Theater
John Doyle, “A Man of No Importance,” Classic Stage Company
Maria Friedman, “Merrily We Roll Along,” New York Theatre Workshop
Thomas Kail, “Sweeney Todd”
Jack O’Brien, “Shucked”
Outstanding Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, “Only Gold,’ MCC Theater
Tislarm Bouie, “the bandaged place,” Roundabout Theatre Company
Edgar Godineaux, “The Harder They Come,” The Public Theater
Casey Nicholaw, “Some Like It Hot”
Susan Stroman, “New York, New York”
Jennifer Weber, “KPOP”
Outstanding Music
Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, “Shucked”
Michael R. Jackson, “White Girl in Danger,” Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Tom Kitt and AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal designer), “Almost Famous”
Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, “Between the Lines,” Tony Kiser Theater
The Kilbanes, “Weightless,” WP Theater
Outstanding Lyrics
Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, “Shucked”
Jonathan Hogue, “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical”
Michael R. Jackson, “White Girl in Danger,” Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage
Theater
Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, “The Bedwetter,” Atlantic Theater Company
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, “Some Like It Hot”
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Jonathan Hogue, “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical”
Robert Horn, “Shucked”
Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, “Some Like It Hot”
Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue, “Titanique”
David West Read, “& Juliet”
Outstanding Orchestrations
Bruce Coughlin, “A Man of No Importance,” Classic Stage Company
Jason Howland, “Shucked”
Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, “Some Like It Hot”
Kenny Seymour, “The Harder They Come,” The Public Theater
Daryl Waters and Sam Davis, “New York, New York”
Outstanding Music in a Play
Ben Edelman, Zane Pais, and Sinan Refik Zafar, “Letters from Max, a ritual,”
Signature Theatre
Mauricio Escamilla, “the bandaged place,” Roundabout Theatre Company
Suzan-Lori Parks, “Plays for the Plague Year,” The Public Theater
Ian Ross, “Wuthering Heights,” St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National
Theatre
Daniel Schlosberg, “Montag,” Soho Rep
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
Jason Ardizzone-West, ”Wedding Band,” Theatre for a New Audience
Beowulf Boritt, “Ohio State Murders”
dots, “Public Obscenities,” Soho Rep and NAATCO
Tim Hatley, “Life of Pi”
Natasha Jenkins, “Love,” Park Avenue Armory
John McDermott, “Chains,” Mint Theater Company
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, “New York, New York”
David Korins, “Only Gold,” MCC Theater
Scott Pask, “Shucked”
Walt Spangler and Brendan McCann (production props), “Stranger Sings! The
Parody Musical”
Michael Yeargan, “Camelot”
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Kara Branch, “According to the Chorus,” New Light Theater Project
Enver Chakartash, “Public Obscenities,” Soho Rep and NAATCO
Qween Jean, “Wedding Band,” Theatre for a New Audience
Sarah Laux, “Wish You Were Here,” Playwright Horizons
Emilio Sosa, “Ain’t No Mo’”
Roberto Surace, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”
Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, “Some Like It Hot”
Tilly Grimes, “Shucked”
Jennifer Moeller, “Camelot”
Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi, “KPOP”
Anita Yavich, “Only Gold,” MCC Theater
Donna Zakowska, “New York, New York”
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Isabella Byrd, “Epiphany,” Lincoln Center Theater
Jiyoun Chang, “The Far Country,” Atlantic Theater Company
Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams (video), “Prima Facie”
Allen Lee Hughes, “Ohio State Murders”
Cha See, “On That Day in Amsterdam,” Primary Stages
Japhy Weideman, “The Piano Lesson”
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, “New York, New York”
Jeff Croiter, “Only Gold,” MCC Theater
Heather Gilbert, “Parade”
David Grill, “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’”
Natasha Katz, “Sweeney Todd”
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
Simon Baker, “Wuthering Heights,” St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, and National Theatre
Andrzej Goulding, “Life of Pi”
Caite Hevner, “Between the Lines,” Tony Kiser Theater
Josh Higgason, “White Girl in Danger,” Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Nicholas Hussong, “On That Day in Amsterdam,’ Primary Stages
Johnny Moreno, “Public Obscenities,” Soho Rep and NAATCO
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play
Justin Ellington, “Ohio State Murders”
Tom Gibbons, “Hamlet,” Park Avenue Armory
Josh Anio Grigg, “Love,” Park Avenue Armory
Lee Kinney and Daniel Kluger, “You Will Get Sick,” Roundabout Theatre Company
Ben & Max Ringham, “A Doll’s House”
Mikaal Sulaiman, “Fat Ham,” The Public Theater and National Black Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, “Almost Famous”
Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, “Into the Woods”
John Shivers, “Shucked”
Joanna Lynne Staub, “Weightless,” WP Theater
Jon Weston, “Parade”
Outstanding Wig and Hair
Campbell Young Associates, “Almost Famous”
Cookie Jordan, “The Piano Lesson”
Mia M. Neal, “Ain’t No Mo’”
Earon Nealey, “Twelfth Night,” The Classical Theatre of Harlem
Mitsuteru Okuyama, “Chushingura 47 Ronin”
Luc Verschueren, “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical”
Outstanding Solo Performance
Jodie Comer, “Prima Facie”
David Greenspan, “Four Saints in Three Acts,” Lucille Lortel Theatre
Jessica Hendy, “Walking With Bubbles,” AMT Theater
Anthony Rapp, “Without You”
Tracy Thorne, “Jack Was Kind,” Irish Repertory Theatre
Unique Theatrical Experience
“Asi Wind’s Inner Circle”
“Peter Pan Goes Wrong”
“Plays for the Plague Year,” The Public Theater
“Zephyr,” Cirque Mechanics at The New Victory Theater
Outstanding Fight Choreography
B.H. Barry, “Camelot”
Rocio Mendez, “Día y Noche,” LAByrinth Theater Company
Rocio Mendez, “How to Defend Yourself,” The New York Theatre Workshop
Unkledave’s Fight-House, “soft,” MCC Theater
Outstanding Adaptation
“A Doll’s House,” by Amy Herzog
“Arden of Faversham,” by Jeffrey Hatcher and Kathryn Walat, Red Bull Theater
“black odyssey,” by Marcus Gardley, Classic Stage Company
“Oresteia,” by Robert Icke, Park Avenue Armory
“Wuthering Heights,” by Emma Rice, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children and National Theatre
Outstanding Puppetry
John Leader, “Wuthering Heights,” St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children and National Theatre
James Ortiz (design) and Kennedy Kanagawa (as Milky White), “Into the Woods”
Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, “Life of Pi”
Kirjan Waage, “The Immortal Jellyfish Girl,” Wakka Wakka and Nordland Visual Theatre at 59E59
Special Awards
Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Ensemble Award
The cast of Soho Rep’s “Public Obscenities” – Tashnuva Anan, Abrar Haque, Golam Sarwar Harun, Gargi Mukherjee, NaFis, Jakeem Dante Powell, and Debashis Roy Chowdhury
Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award
Ryan J. Haddad, “Dark Disabled Stories”
The Drama Desk is under the leadership of co-presidents David Barbour and Charles Wright. The 2022-2023 Drama Desk Nominating Committee includes Martha Wade Steketee, Linda Armstrong, Dan Dinero, Peter Filichia, Kenji Fujishima, Margaret Hall and Wright.
