Drama Desk Nominations: The Theater Awards Race Heats Up!

The Drama Desk today became the second major theater organization (following Monday’s announcement by the Outer Critics Circle) to release its list of nominees for the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway. Taking a look at where they overlap might provide a glimpse into the crystal ball regarding the lead-up to the Tony Awards – though do remember that the Tonys are presented only for Broadway productions.

Things definitely will be colored by eliminating such powerhouses as Off Broadway’s Hamilton from the Tony race and Fun Home from Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle consideration (its Off Broadway production was eligible last year, was nominated by both organizations, and won the OCC Award for best musical). 

So, with these caveats in place, let’s take that look. And if you want to see my discussion of the Outer Critics Circle nominations, LINK  HERE.

Nominees for OUTSTANDING PLAY

Outer Critics Circle (OCC) nominated eight plays in all - three Broadway and five Off Broadway. Drama Desk (DD) nominated seven – two Broadway and five Off Broadway.  Here’s where they overlap:

Between Riverside and Crazy

The City of Conversation

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Implications for the Tonys :  The only Tony-eligible play that received nominations from both OCC and DD is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This play has been heralded as the one to beat from the outset, and there is no reason to think anything has changed.

Nominees for OUTSTANDING MUSICAL

OCC nominated ten musicals – five Broadway and five Off Broadway. DD nominated six.  Here is where they overlap:

An American in Paris

Hamilton

Something Rotten

The Visit

Implications for the Tonys:  Everyone’s favorite, Hamilton, is considered by many to be the lead horse for the 2016 race, but since it played Off Broadway this year, it is not in the mix. Each of the remaining has its champions, but for different reasons.  An American in Paris, based on the 1951 film, is garnering accolades for its choreography and the dancing by its two leads, both recruited from the top ranks of professional ballet stars. The Visit, which has been kicking around for years, is a sentimental favorite for its significance as the final Kander and Ebb musical to make its Broadway debut, and the final musical to star the legendary Chita Rivera. That leaves Something Rotten, truly the new kid on the block, which has been drawing both high praise and snubs. Still, with twelve Outer Critics Circle nominations and nine Drama Desk nominations, let’s not brush this one off too lightly. It might just nab the big one. 

Except – there is that matter of Fun Home, the little show that could, that did, and maybe that will.  

Nominees for OUTSTANDING PLAY REVIVAL

OCC nominated five – four Broadway, and one Off Broadway.  DD nominated six – one Broadway and five Off Broadway.  Here is where they overlap:

The Elephant Man

Fashions for Men

Implications for the Tonys:  Of these two, only Broadway’s The Elephant Man is eligible for Tony consideration. While the production, which starred Hollywood superstar Bradley Cooper, is certainly a strong contender, it’s too soon to write off The Heidi Chronicles, Skylight, or You Can’t Take It With You.

Nominees for OUTSTANDING MUSICAL REVIVAL

OCC nominated five – four of which were Broadway productions.  DD nominated six – four of them Broadway productions.  Here is where they overlap:

Into the Woods

The King and I

On the Town

On the Twentieth Century

Side Show

Implications for the Tonys:  Eliminate the Off Broadway revival of Into the Woods, and consider Side Show as an also-ran among this list.  Each of the others will have its supporters, but despite its many strengths, On the Town is likely to be overrun by what looks to be a battle between The King and I and On The Twentieth Century. 

Nominees for OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

OCC nominated five – two for Broadway productions, three Off Broadway.  DD nominated six – three Broadway, and three Off Broadway.  Here is where they overlap:

Reed Birney    I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard

Bradley Cooper    The Elephant Man

Stephen McKinley Henderson    Between Riverside and Crazy

Ben Miles    Wolf Hall

Alex Sharp    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Implications for the Tonys:  This is one category where the two organizations agreed, though Drama Desk added a well-deserved nomination for Bill Pullman’s excellent performance in the Off Broadway production of the revival of David Rabe’s Sticks and Bones.  For the Tonys, it is likely to be a head-to-head between Bradley Cooper and Alex Sharp.

Nominees for OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

OCC nominated five – two Broadway and three Off Broadway.  DD nominated seven, only two of which were for Broadway productions.  Here is where they overlap:

Jan Maxwell    The City of Conversation

Helen Mirren    The Audience

Tonya Pinkins    Rasheeda Speaking

Implications for the Tonys:  Helen Mirren is the only one on the overlapping lists who is starring in a Broadway production.  She generally is considered to be the frontrunner for the Tony, though she may see some competition from Elizabeth Moss (The Heidi Chronicles), Carey Mulligan (Skylight), and Ruth Wilson (Constellations). 

Nominees for OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

OCC nominated five, all for Broadway productions.  DD nominated six, three for Broadway productions.  Here is where they overlap:

Brian d’Arcy James    Something Rotten!

Robert Fairchild    An American in Paris

Implications for the Tonys:  A win for Brian d’Arcy James would cap off a great year for him, with this nomination plus his acclaimed performance (and an OCC nomination) as King George III in Hamilton. For the Tony, his competition, other than Robert Fairchild, will probably be Peter Gallagher (On The Twentieth Century) and Tony Yazbeck (On The Town).   

Nominees for OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

OCC nominated five, all for Broadway productions.  DD nominated six, five of them for Broadway shows.  Here is where they overlap:

Kristin Chenoweth    On the Twentieth Century

Leanne Cope    An American in Paris

Chita Rivera    The Visit

Implications for the Tonys: Kristin Chenoweth leads the pack here, but where, oh where, is Kelli O’Hara (The King and I)? She was nominated by OCC, but not by DD, but if anyone makes it a race for Ms. Chenoweth, it has to be she. 

Nominees for OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

Let’s set aside the other categories (directors, featured performers, set and costume design, score) for another time.  I would, however, like to take a look at a category for which there are many strong entries this year, and that is for choreographer.

OCC nominated five, of which four were for Broadway productions.  These were:

Joshua Bergasse   On the Town

Warren Carlyle    On the Twentieth Century

Casey Nicholaw    Something Rotten!

Christopher Wheeldon    An American in Paris

DD nominated six, of which five were for Broadway productions. These were:

Joshua Bergasse   On the Town

Warren Carlyle    On the Twentieth Century

Steven Hoggett    The Last Ship

Casey Nicholaw    Something Rotten!

Christopher Wheeldon    An American in Paris

Implications for the Tonys:  Notice that, with the exception of The Last Ship, both organizations nominated the same four choreographers.  All of them bring something special to the productions they are associated with. At the moment, it does seem that Mr. Wheeldon, a renowned modern ballet master, has the upper hand, but what a great year this has been for dance on Broadway!

Stay tuned for more.  The Tony nominations will be announced on April 28.  We’ll take another look then. 

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