The nominations for the 68th annual Drama Desk Awards have been announced. Kathleen Turner revealed the nominations on the morning of April 29 on NBC’s “New York Live.” As previously announced, the 2024 Drama Desk ceremony will be held on June 10 at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
The Drama Desk Awards encompass productions that played on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway in the past season. To be eligible for the 2024 awards, productions had to open by April 25.
“The Outsiders” fared the best out of any Broadway production—musical or play—earning nine nominations, including one for Outstanding Musical. With eight nominations, “Suffs” was close behind, but was not named in the Outstanding Musical category as only elements new to the Broadway mounting were deemed eligible (the musical played Off-Broadway in the 2021-2022 season).
“Water for Elephants” garnered seven nominations, including direction and choreography nods, and acknowledgement in several design categories, but was not named in the Outstanding Musical category. “Cabaret” and “Hell’s Kitchen” earned five nominations apiece, and “Illinoise” racked up four.
Play-wise, David Adjmi’s “Stereophonic” was nominated in the Outstanding Play category, one of its eight nominations, more than any Broadway or Off-Broadway play. Branden Jacob-Jenkins’ “Appropriate” received seven nominations, including Outstanding Revival of a Play. “Purlie Victorious” also received a Revival of a Play nomination, one of its five citations.
Beyond nominations, “Stereophonic” also received a special award honoring the seven-person ensemble cast. “How to Dance in Ohio” received a special award acknowledging the new musical’s authentic representation of autism on stage. Lighting designer Isabella Byrd was cited for her work on four productions this season: two on Broadway (“An Enemy of the People” and Cabaret”) and two works seen Off-Broadway (“Infinite Life” and “Primary Trust”).
Tony Award-winning press representative and producer Irene Gandy received a lifetime achievement honor. The annual Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award went to Cole Escola, playwright and star of “Oh, Mary!,” which will transfer from its current Off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre to the Main Stem in summer 2024.
The most-honored production was not a Broadway entry, but the Off-Broadway musical “Dead Outlaw,” which earned 11 nominations, including one for Outstanding Musical.
In addition to the aforementioned “Suffs,” only new elements of the following productions were deemed eligible: “Appropriate,” “Cross That River,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!,” “Harmony,” “Here Lies Love,” “Just for Us,” “Mary Jane,” “Prayer for the French Republic,” “Public Obscenities” and “Sunset Baby.”
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.”
The Drama Desk Awards honors performers in four gender-free categories for the second consecutive year. Each of these categories will have two winners.
The 2023-2024 Drama Desk nominating committee includes Martha Wade Steketee, Linda Armstrong, Dan Dinero, Peter Filichia, Kenji Fujishima, Margaret Hall and Charles Wright.
The Drama Desk, founded in 1949, encompasses theater critics, journalists and writers. David Barbour and Wright serve as co-presidents.
The June 10 ceremony is being executive produced by Staci Levine and Jessica R. Jenen.
A complete list of nominees can be found below:
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ensemble Award
The cast of “Stereophonic”—Will Brill, Andrew R. Butler, Juliana Canfield, Eli Gelb, Tom Pecinka, Sarah Pidgeon and Chris Stack—who execute David Adjmi’s hypernaturalistic text with extraordinary care and precision, while also performing Will Butler’s music with the freshness and life that makes us believe we are witnessing, first-hand, the creation of a new American classic.
Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award
Cole Escola, who both wrote and stars in one of this season’s biggest hits Off-Broadway, “Oh, Mary!” Following in the long legacy of queer artists who write themselves into American history, Escola’s new “gay fantasia on national themes” is a hilarious reminder of why we must continue to interrogate our past.
“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—for their steadfast support of autistic theatermakers, and their strides toward true accessibility for neurodiverse individuals both on and offstage.
Lighting designer Isabella Byrd, whose self-described technique as a “darkness designer” has earned her a cache of nominations and awards in the United States and abroad. During this season, Byrd illuminated two Broadway shows done in the round, “An Enemy of the People” and “Cabaret.” Off-Broadway, her spotlight on quiet, small-scale stories both enchanted us in “Primary Trust” and mesmerized us in “Infinite Life,” with a parking-lot sky that marked the passage of time.
Lady Irene Gandy, for career achievement. A press agent extraordinaire for over five decades, Lady Irene has always demonstrated her passion, dedication, and love for theater. A Broadway producer and Sardi's honoree, she is a zealous advocate for inclusion, diversity, and equity in the arts.
Productions with multiple nominations:
“Dead Outlaw” — 11
“The Outsiders” — 9
“Stereophonic” — 8
“Suffs” — 8
“The Connector” — 8
“Appropriate” — 7
“Water for Elephants” — 7
“Cabaret” — 5
“Hell's Kitchen” — 5
“Purlie Victorious” — 5
“The Hunt” — 5
“Illinoise” — 4
“Macbeth (an undoing)” — 4
“Teeth” — 4
“Buena Vista Social Club” — 3
“Grey House” — 3
“Jaja's African Hair Braiding” — 3
“Lizard Boy” — 3
“Mother Play” — 3
“Philadelphia, Here I Come!” — 3
“Swing State” — 3
“Uncle Vanya” (OHenry Productions) — 3
“Days of Wine and Roses” — 2
“How to Dance in Ohio” — 2
“I Can Get It for You Wholesale” — 2
“Infinite Life” — 2
“Manahatta” — 2
“Patriots” — 2
“Sally & Tom” — 2
“The Doctor” — 2
“The Gardens of Anuncia” — 2
“The Harriet Holland Social Club Presents the 84th Annual Star-Burst Cotillion in the Grand
Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel” — 2
“The Notebook” — 2
“Warrior Sisters of Wu” — 2
