Tom Wopat, Stockard Channing, and John Lithgow Among Presenters For The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Harvey Fierstein, today released a list of some of
its celebrity presenters for the awards ceremony which will take place at the F.H. La Guardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 9 PM.

According to Drama Desk Awards Ceremony Executive Producer Robert R. Blume, presenters lined up as of today include: Stockard Channing, John Cullum, Jim Dale, Andre De Shields, John Lithgow, Parker Posey, Tom Wopat, Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley and the cast of "title of show" - Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff.

"We look forward to having a dynamite awards ceremony this year, said Blume. "With the multi-talented Harvey Fierstein as our host again, we know that the ceremony will be fast moving and funny. And our production staff has done a great job lining up major talent to serve as award presenters. And we are not done yet. We are waiting for confirmations from a few other powerhouse names whom we expect to be added as presenters."

Blume also announced the addition of several new sponsors for this year's awards show, including Rouge Tomate, the elegant restaurant at 10 East 60th Street, which will be hosting the pre and
post ceremony VIP receptions on May 17th; IL Bastardo Ristorante, 191 Seventh Avenue, which will host the official Drama Desk Nominees cocktail reception on Friday, May 1, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM; Callari Engravers, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year; and InViolet Repertory Theater, host of the general reception in the lobby of the concert hall before the start of the awards ceremony.

Returning supporters include:

Contributors - The Smart Family Foundation/David S. Stone, Esq., Richard I. Kandel, Ted Snowdon, TheaterMania.com/Gretchen Shugart, Jacki Barlia-Florin, Wendy Federman, and Randall Stempler.

Media Sponsors - Abrams Gentile Entertainment, Manhattan Bride Magazine, VideoActive Productions/Steve Garrin, and Blue Sky Media/Walter Graff.

Reception, Food & Beverage Sponsors - Tony's Di Napoli, The NY Friars Club, Legend of Kremlin Vodka, Lubov Galleries, Wine Cellar Sorbet, Coke Zero, and Vitamin Water.

Sponsors - Federico Salon expert in beauty, Callari Engravers, Hit Show Club/Eric Rock, Gray Line New York Sightseeing/Tom Lewis, Travel Inn, Andrea Rose, Inventor - Fashion & Beauty Products, Software Pronto, Inc., and podcastnowstudio.com.

Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards and Blume Media Group Ltd is the producing company. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director of the Awards ceremony. Marilyn Munder is Talent Consultant. Ingrid Kloss is Line Producer. Jeff Eisenberg is Associate Producer. Adam Suellentrop is Associate Director. Erika Christensen is Script Supervisor. Kate Boyer is Production Stage Manager.

The Associate Producers of the Drama Desk Awards Ceremony are Margot Astrachan, Jacki Barlia Florin, Joseph Callari, Corine Dana Cohen, Ellis Nassour and Les Schecter, who is also Director of Publicity and Promotions. Felicia M. Lopes is the General Manager; Evan Storey is Administrative Production Coordinator and Matthew P. Donoghue is Press Associate. For the Drama Desk organization, Ellis Nassour is Press Liaison and Randie Levine-Miller is Special Events Director.

For Blume Media Group Ltd, Becca Bandiere is Head of Production; Caitlyn Elese Williams is Staff Coordinator, and  Emily Jablonski is Assistant to the General Manager.