The winners of the 2024 Drama Desk Awards, honoring Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions, have been revealed. The winners were named at a ceremony on June 10 at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit served as co-hosts.
“Stereophonic” won seven awards, more than any other nominated production. Beyond taking home the award for Outstanding Play, the production was honored in the categories of Outstanding Direction of a Play (Daniel Aukin), Outstanding Music in a Play (Will Butler), Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play (David Zinn), Outstanding Costume Design of a Play (Enver Chakartash) and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play (Ryan Rumery), in addition to a previously announced Ensemble Award that went to the full cast.
Musical-wise, the Main Stem mounting of “Water for Elephants” fared best, winning four awards, including citations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Jessica Stone), Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical (Walter Trarbach), Outstanding Fight Choreography (Cha Ramos) and Outstanding Puppetry (Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman and Camille Labarre).
The award for Outstanding Musical went to the Off-Broadway tuner “Dead Outlaw,” which also took home awards for Outstanding Book of a Musical (Itamar Moses) and Outstanding Lyrics (David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna).
A complete list of competitive winners, noted in bold, can be found below.
The following productions were deemed ineligible either because the entire production was eligible in a previous season or the producers opted not to invited nominators: “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” “Here We Are,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “The Animal Kingdom,” “The White Chip” and “Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice.”
Outstanding Play
“Infinite Life,” by Annie Baker, Atlantic Theater Company
“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” by Jocelyn Bioh, Manhattan Theatre Club
“Mother Play,” by Paula Vogel, Second Stage Theater
“Stereophonic,” by David Adjmi, Playwrights Horizons
“Swing State,” by Rebecca Gilman, Goodman Theatre
“The Ally,” by Itamar Moses, The Public Theater
Outstanding Musical
“Dead Outlaw”
“Illinoise,” Park Avenue Armory
“Lizard Boy,” Prospect Theater Company
“Teeth,” Playwrights Horizons
“The Connector,” MCC Theater
“The Outsiders”
Outstanding Revival of a Play
“Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
“Doubt,” Roundabout Theatre Company
“Philadelphia, Here I Come!,” Irish Repertory Theatre
“Purlie Victorious”
“Uncle Vanya,” OHenry Productions
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
“Cabaret”
“Gutenberg! The Musical!”
“I Can Get It for You Wholesale,” Classic Stage Company
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (two winners in this category)
Nicole Cooper, “Macbeth (an undoing),” Theatre for a New Audience, Rose Theatre, and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
William Jackson Harper, “Primary Trust,” Roundabout Theatre Company
Jessica Lange, “Mother Play,” Second Stage Theater
Rachel McAdams, “Mary Jane,” Manhattan Theatre Club
Tobias Menzies, “The Hunt,” St. Ann’s Warehouse and Almeida Theatre
Leslie Odom, Jr., “Purlie Victorious”
Sarah Paulson, “Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
A.J. Shively, “Philadelphia, Here I Come!,” Irish Repertory Theatre
Juliet Stevenson, “The Doctor,” Park Avenue Armory
Michael Stuhlbarg, “Patriots”
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (three winners in this category as it includes a tie)
Andrew Durand, “Dead Outlaw”
Santino Fontana, “I Can Get It for You Wholesale,” Classic Stage Company
Brody Grant, “The Outsiders”
Brian d’Arcy James, “Days of Wine and Roses,” Atlantic Theater Company
Maleah Joi Moon, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Kelli O’Hara, “Days of Wine and Roses,” Atlantic Theater Company
Liam Pearce, “How to Dance in Ohio”
Gayle Rankin, “Cabaret”
Ben Levi Ross, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Ricky Ubeda, “Illinoise,” Park Avenue Armory
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (two winners in this category)
Brittany Adebumola, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” Manhattan Theatre Club
Marylouise Burke, “Infinite Life,” Atlantic Theater Company
Michael Esper, “Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
Marin Ireland, “Uncle Vanya,” OHenry Productions
Will Keen, “Patriots”
Celia Keenan-Bolger, “Mother Play,” Second Stage Theater
Conrad Ricamora, “Oh, Mary!”
Sheila Tousey, “Manahatta,” The Public Theater
Bubba Weiler, “Swing State,” Goodman Theatre
Kara Young, “Purlie Victorious”
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical (two winners in this category)
Shoshana Bean, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Natalie Venetia Belcon, “Buena Vista Social Club,” Atlantic Theater Company
Dorian Harewood, “The Notebook”
Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, “Spamalot”
Kecia Lewis, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Bebe Neuwirth, “Cabaret”
Steven Pasquale, “Teeth,” Playwrights Horizons
Maryann Plunkett, “The Notebook”
Thom Sesma, “Dead Outlaw”
Emily Skinner, “Suffs”
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Daniel Aukin, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Rupert Goold, “The Hunt,” St. Ann’s Warehouse and Almeida Theatre
Kenny Leon, “Purlie Victorious”
Lila Neugebauer, “Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
Ciarán O'Reilly, “Philadelphia, Here I Come!,” Irish Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
David Cromer, “Dead Outlaw”
Rebecca Frecknall, “Cabaret”
Daisy Prince, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Jessica Stone, “Water for Elephants”
Danya Taymor, “The Outsiders”
Outstanding Choreography
Camille A. Brown, "Hell’s Kitchen"
Graciela Daniele and Alex Sanchez, “The Gardens of Anuncia,” Lincoln Center Theater
Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, “The Outsiders” (includes fight choreography)
Lorin Latarro, “The Heart of Rock and Roll”
Justin Peck, “Illinoise,” Park Avenue Armory
Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll, “Water for Elephants” (includes circus choreography)
Outstanding Music
Jason Robert Brown, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Justin Huertas, “Lizard Boy,” Prospect Theater Company
Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, “The Outsiders”
Shaina Taub, “Suffs”
David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, “Dead Outlaw”
Outstanding Lyrics
Rachel Bloom, Eli Bolin, and Jack Dolgen, “Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Show”
Jason Robert Brown, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Michael R. Jackson, “Teeth,” Playwrights Horizons
Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, “The Outsiders”
David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, “Dead Outlaw”
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Justin Huertas, “Lizard Boy,” Prospect Theater Company
Michael R. Jackson, “Teeth,” Playwrights Horizons
Michael John LaChiusa, “The Gardens of Anuncia,” Lincoln Center Theater
Rebekah Greer Melocik, “How to Dance in Ohio”
Itamar Moses, “Dead Outlaw”
Outstanding Orchestrations
Timo Andres, “Illinoise,” Park Avenue Armory
Will Butler and Justin Craig, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Andy Evan Cohen, “The Greatest Hits Down Route 66,” New Light Theater Project
Marco Paguia, “Buena Vista Social Club,” Atlantic Theater Company
Erik Della Penna, Dean Sharenow and David Yazbek, “Dead Outlaw”
Michael Starobin, Shaina Taub (vocal arrangements), and Andrea Grody (vocal arrangements), “Suffs”
Outstanding Music in a Play
Michael “Mikey J” Asante, “The Effect,” The Shed
S T A R R Busby and JJJJJerome Ellis, “(pray),” Ars Nova and National Black Theatre
Will Butler, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Dionne McClain-Freeney, “The Harriet Holland Social Club Presents The 84th Annual Star-Burst
Cotillion in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel,” New Georges and The Movement Theatre Company
Ben Steinfeld, “Pericles,” Classic Stage Company and Fiasco Theater
Outstanding Revue
“Amid Falling Walls,” National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
Es Devlin, “The Hunt,” St. Ann’s Warehouse and Almeida Theatre
dots, “Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
Derek McLane, “Purlie Victorious”
Scott Pask, “Grey House”
David Zinn, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
AMP featuring Tatiana Kahvegian, “The Outsiders”
Paul Tate dePoo III, “The Great Gatsby” (includes projections)
Riccardo Hernández, “Suffs”
Arnulfo Maldonado, “Dead Outlaw”
Grace Smart,” Good Vibrations: A Punk Rock Musical,” Irish Arts Center
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Alex Berry, “Macbeth (an undoing),” Theatre for a New Audience, Rose Theatre, and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
Karen Boyer, “Warrior Sisters of Wu,” Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
Enver Chakartash, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Lux Haac, “Manahatta,” The Public Theater
Rodrigo Muñoz, “Sally & Tom,” The Public Theater
Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
Dede Ayite, “Buena Vista Social Club,” Atlantic Theater Company
Márion Talán de la Rosa, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Loren Elstein, “Once Upon a One More Time”
David Israel Reynoso, “Water for Elephants”
Paul Tazewell, “Suffs”
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Jane Cox, “Appropriate,” Second Stage Theater
Stacey Derosier, “Uncle Vanya,” OHenry Productions
Natasha Katz, “Grey House”
Lizzie Powell, “Macbeth (an undoing),” Theatre for a New Audience, Rose Theatre, and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
Eric Southern, “Swing State,” Goodman Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Lap Chi Chu, “Suffs”
Heather Gilbert, “Dead Outlaw”
Bradley King, “Water for Elephants”
Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim (projections), “The Outsiders”
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
Eric Dunlap, “Our Class,” MART Foundation and Arlekin Players Theatre
Jared Mezzocchi, “Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy,” Vineyard Theatre
Peter Nigrini, “Hell’s Kitchen”
Olivia Sebesky, “Melissa Etheridge: My Window”
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, “The Connector,” MCC Theater
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play
Adam Cork, “The Hunt,” St. Ann’s Warehouse and Almeida Theatre
Tom Gibbons, “Grey House”
Palmer Hefferan, “The Comeuppance,” Signature Theatre
Bray Poor and Will Pickens, “Appropriate”, Second Stage Theater
Ryan Rumery, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical (three-way tie)
Jason Crystal, “Suffs”
Kai Harada and Joshua Millican, “Dead Outlaw”
Nick Lidster for Autograph, “Cabaret”
Cody Spencer, “The Outsiders”
Walter Trarbach, “Water for Elephants”
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design
J. Jared Janas and Cassie Williams, “Sally & Tom,” The Public Theater
Charles G. LaPointe, “Suffs”
Nikiya Mathis, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” Manhattan Theatre Club
Nikiya Mathis, “The Harriet Holland Social Club Presents The 84th Annual Star-Burst Cotillion in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel,” New Georges and The Movement Theatre Company
Robert Pickens and Katie Gell, “Stereophonic,” Playwrights Horizons
Outstanding Solo Performance
Michael Cruz Kayne, “Sorry for Your Loss”
Madeleine MacMahon, “Breathless,” Theatre Royal Plymouth
Wade McCollum, “Make Me Gorgeous!,” triangle productions!
Robert Montano, “SMALL,” Penguin Rep Theatre
Patrick Page, “All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain”
Unique Theatrical Experience
“A Eulogy for Roman,” Through the Tollbooth Co.
“A Simulacrum,” Atlantic Theater Company
“ADRIFT: A Medieval Wayward Folly,” Happenstance Theater
“I Love You So Much I Could Die,” New York Theatre Workshop
“Grenfell: in the words of survivors,” St. Ann’s Warehouse, National Theatre, and KPPL Productions
Outstanding Fight Choreography
Michael G. Chin, “Warrior Sisters of Wu,” Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
Cha Ramos, “Water for Elephants”
Steve Rankin, “The Who’s Tommy”
Outstanding Adaptation
“An Enemy of the People,” by Amy Herzog
“Macbeth (an undoing),” by Zinnie Harris, Theatre for a New Audience, Rose Theatre, and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
“The Comedy of Errors,” by Rebecca Martínez and Julián Mesri, The Public Theater Mobile Unit
“The Doctor,” by Robert Icke, Park Avenue Armory
“The Hunt,” by David Farr, St. Ann’s Warehouse and Almeida Theatre
“The Whole of Time,” by Romina Paula, Joben Studios
Outstanding Puppetry
Matt Acheson, “Hotel Happy,” Houses on the Moon Theater Company
Adrian Kohler and Handspring Puppet Company, “Life & Times of Michael K,” St. Ann’s Warehouse, Baxter Theatre Centre, and Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus
Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, and Camille Labarre, “Water for Elephants”
David Valentine,” Poor Yella Rednecks,” Manhattan Theatre Club
Special Awards
Harold S. Prince Award for Lifetime Achievement
Nathan Lane
William Wolf Award
André Bishop
Ensemble Award
The cast of “Stereophonic” — Will Brill, Andrew R. Butler, Juliana Canfield, Eli Gelb, Tom Pecinka, Sarah Pidgeon and Chris Stack
Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Awards
Cole Escola
“How to Dance in Ohio” authentic autistic representation team — Sammi Cannold, Nicole D’Angelo, Becky Leifman, Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt, Liz Weber and Jeremy Wein
Lighting designer Isabella Byrd
Lady Irene Gandy
Broadway shows with multiple wins:
(*notates a show that received a special Drama Desk Award, which is part of the win count)
7 *“Stereophonic”
4 “Water for Elephants”
3 “Appropriate”
*“Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”
“Dead Outlaw”
“Hell’s Kitchen”
2 *“An Enemy of the People”
“Days of Wine and Roses”
“Mother Play”
“Suffs”
“The Outsiders”
