Though the Drama Desk Awards may be celebrating their 65th anniversary, this was the first time the awards show was presented remotely and virtually.
While Saturday night is a celebration, it is important to acknowledge the difficult and challenging times the theater community and the country is facing, both amid a global pandemic and alongside the important conversations that are being had regarding race locally, nationally and worldwide. While those conversations continue, the Drama Desk Awards celebrated this year’s slate of nominees, which represented the most diverse group in drama desk history, who, through their contributions to this memorable season, often grappled with big questions and expanded our consciousness on meaningful issues. We look forward to seeing what comes next.
The night was filled with an incredible line up of celebrity presenters, including James Corden, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Beanie Feldstein, Patti LuPone, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Audra McDonald, Andrew Rannells, Cynthia Nixon Renée Elise Goldsberry, Susan Stroman, Ali Stroker, Santino Fontana and Ashley Park, as well as musical numbers from every Outstanding Musical nominee.
“A Strange Loop” and “The Inheritance” took home top honors for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Play respectively. “Little Shop of Horrors” took home the award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and “A Soldier’s Play” took home the award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.
Adrienne Warren won the award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her performance as Tina Turner in “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” and Larry Owens won the award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in “A Strange Loop." Stephen Brackett took home the award for Outstanding Director of a Musical for his work on “A Strange Loop” and Stephen Daldry took home the award for Outstanding Director of a Play for his work on “The Inheritance.”
Congratulations to all the winners! Below is a list:
Outstanding Play: The Inheritance, by Matthew Lopez
Outstanding Musical: A Strange Loop, Playwrights Horizons/Page 73 Productions
Outstanding Revival of a Play: A Soldier’s Play, Roundabout Theatre Company
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Little Shop of Horrors
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Edmund Donovan, Greater Clements
Outstanding Actress in a Play: Liza Colón-Zayas, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Larry Owens, A Strange Loop
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Adrienne Warren, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Paul Hilton, The Inheritance
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Lois Smith, The Inheritance
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Christian Borle, Little Shop of Horrors
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Lauren Patten, Jagged Little Pill
Outstanding Director of a Play: Stephen Daldry, The Inheritance
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Stephen Brackett, A Strange Loop
Outstanding Choreography: Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Music: Dave Malloy, Octet
Outstanding Lyrics: Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop
Outstanding Book of a Musical: Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop
Outstanding Orchestrations: Tom Kitt, Jagged Little Pill
Outstanding Music in a Play: Martha Redbone, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Outstanding Scenic Design for a Play: Clint Ramos, Grand Horizons
Outstanding Scenic Design for a Musical: Derek McLane, Moulin Rouge
Outstanding Costume Design for a Play: Rachel Townsend and Jessica Jahn, The Confession of Lily Dare
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical: Catherine Zuber, Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play: Heather Gilbert, The Sound Inside
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical: Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Projection Design: Luke Halls, West Side Story
Outstanding Sound Design for a Play: Paul Arditti and Christopher Reid, The Inheritance
Outstanding Sound Design for a Musical: Peter Hylenski, Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design: Campbell Young Associates, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Outstanding Solo Performance: Laura Linney, My Name Is Lucy Barton
Unique Theatrical Experience: Is This A Room, Vineyard Theatre
Outstanding Fight Choreography: Thomas Schall, A Soldier’s Play
Outstanding Adaptation: Jack Thorne, A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Puppet Design: Raphael Mishler, Tumacho