John, Laurents and Lansbury Honored at 75th Annual Drama League Awards 5/15
By: Eddie Varley
The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2009 Special Recognitions, to be presented along with its five competitive production and performance awards at The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 15, 2009 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway).
Elton John (Billy Elliot: The Musical) will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, Arthur Laurents (West Side Story) will be honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing, and Angela Lansbury (Blithe Spirit) will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award. In addition, Broadway producer Herb Blodgett will receive The 75th Anniversary Leadership Award.Billy Elliot: The Musical director Stephen Daldry will be on-hand to present the award to Elton John and legendary Broadway impresario Harold Prince will present Angela Lansbury with her award. Producer Irv Welzer will present Herb Blodgett with his award. Other presenters will be announced soon. Co-hosted by Jeremy Irons (Broadway's Impressionism) and Cynthia Nixon (Off-Broadway's Distracted),The 75th Annual Drama League Awards is co-chaired by theatre luminaries Jane Alexander (Chasing Manet), Matt Cavenaugh (West Side Story), Raul Esparza (Speed-the-Plow), Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow), Jane Fonda (33 Variations), Lauren Graham (Guys and Dolls), Allison Janney (9 to 5), Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages), David Hyde Pierce (Accent on Youth) and Geoffrey Rush (Exit the King).Long considered the theatre season's most festive award ceremony, The Drama League Awards pays tribute to the season's best performers by including the nominees of The Distinguished Performance Award on a dais. The 75th Annual Drama League Awards dais will feature approximately 60 stars from the 2008-09 Broadway and Off-Broadway season, including the Honorary Co-Chairs.
In addition to the Specia Recognitions,The Drama League's 3,000+ members vote on five other annual awards: Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical and The Distinguished Performance Award. Nominations for these five awards will be announced live from Sardi's on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m.
