Photo Coverage: Pre-Drama Desk Awards Party and Arrivals 2007/05/22

Photo Coverage: Pre-Drama Desk Awards Party and Arrivals

Tuesday, May 22, 2007; Posted: 04:05 PM - by Linda Lenzi

The�52nd�Annual�Drama�Desk�Awards were presented on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 9:00 PM, at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center, 100 Amsterdam Avenue.� Prior to the ceremony, a star-studded pre-show party was held at the Russian Tea Room.

Past Drama Desk winner Kristin Chenoweth�who was nominated for her performance in The Apple Tree�hosted the ceremony.� Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia was awarded Outstanding Play, with Spring Awakening chosen Outstanding Musical, Journey's End Outstanding Revival of a Play and Company Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

In keeping with the Drama Desk's unique mission, the nominators considered theatrical events that opened on Broadway, off Broadway and off-off Broadway during the 2006/2007 season in the same competitive categories. Deliberations by the nominators culminated in a marathon weekend session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which ended Monday afternoon, April 23. The nominators included: Chairperson Barbara Siegel, TalkinBroadway.com and TheaterMania.com; Glenda Frank, Plays International and nytheatre-wire.com; Tony Phillips, New York Press; Andrew Propst, Americantheaterweb.com and XM Satellite Radio; Richard Ridge, Broadway Beat TV; and Drama Desk President William Wolf, Wolfentertainmentguide.com.

Abrams Gentile Entertainment and Russ Berrie, the creators of Shining Stars, sponsored the ceremony, as well as Production Resource Group and Sound Associates.� Each Drama Desk nominees and presenters were given their own Shining Star� plush figure that they were able to name and take with them at the end of the evening.� Receptions were sponsored by Arte Caf�, Russian Tea Room, China Grill, and the NY Friars Club. Additional food and beverages were provided by Grey Goose Vodka, Peroni Beer, Tony's Di Napoli, Hawaiian Tropic Restaurant. and� Wines by Lubov Galleries. In-kind and media sponsors included Hit Show Club, Federico Salon, Variety and ARRIVE Magazine (on Amtrak). Software Pronto is the Manager/Host of the official Drama Desk website.� Transportation was provided by Gray Line NY Sightseeing.��