Debra Messing Joins David Hyde Pierce to Co-Host the Drama League Awards

The Drama League has announced Emmy Award winner Debra Messing will join Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce as co-host of the 79th Annual Drama League Awards. One of the high points of the theater season, the Awards Luncheon will be held Friday afternoon, May 17th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) at noon.

Messing and Pierce lead a team of Broadway's best who serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 79th Annual Drama League Awards, including Bobby Cannavale, Alan Cumming, Edie Falco, Judith Ivey, Nathan Lane, Judith Light, Patina Miller, Donna Murphy, Fiona Shaw, Holland Taylor, Cicely Tyson and Michael Urie. The Honorary Co-Chairs serve as ambassadors for The Drama League Awards and the excellence of the New York theatre season, and welcome the attendees of the Awards Luncheon at a cocktail reception before the event.

2013 Drama League Awards Nominations for Distinguished Play, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and Distinguished Performance Award were announced at a ceremony hosted by Patina Miller andMichael Urie on April 23rd held at Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street) and streamed live online right here at www.BroadwayWorld.com.

In addition to the competitive categories, Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy Award winner Bernadette Peters will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award in recognition of her contribution to the musical theatre, presented by Emmy Award winner Mary Tyler Moore; Madison Square Garden Entertainment & The Rockettes will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award for the continuing efforts in promoting live theatre presented by Tony Award-winner Tommy Tune; and Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell will receive The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, presented by pop icon Cyndi Lauper.

For the first time in its history, The Drama League will welcome stage directors to its esteemed dais of performers as awards presenters for the major categories. The 2013 Award Presenters, all of whom are alumni of The Drama League Directors Project, include Rachel Chavkin, Pam MacKinnon, Diane Paulus and Alex Timbers.

Featuring its signature celebratory atmosphere that has distinguished it since its inception, The 79th Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon includes a pre-awards cocktail reception, luncheon, and awards presentation. It will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in the Broadway Ballroom (1535 Broadway) on Friday, May 17, 2013.

For more information about the Drama League Awards, please call (212) 244-9494 ext 27, or e-mail events@dramaleague.org, or visit the website at www.dramaleague.org.

First awarded in 1922 and formalized in 1935, The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America. They are the only major theatergoer awards chosen by audience members - specifically, by the thousands of Drama League members nationwide who attend Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

The Drama League Awards honor distinguished productions, performances, and exemplary career achievements in musical theatre and directing. The first Drama League Award was presented to Katharine Cornell in 1935. Since then, the Distinguished Performance Award has been accorded to a roster of theatre legends such as Audra McDonald, Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Liev Schreiber, Sir John Gielgud, Harvey Fierstein, Cherry Jones, Alec Guinness, James Earl Jones, Julie Harris, Helen Hayes, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Bernadette Peters, and Christopher Plummer.