Patina Miller and Michael Urie Announce The Drama League Nominations, 4/23

The Drama League has just announced that Patina Miller and Michael Urie will co-host the announcement of the 2013 Drama League Nominees for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award set for Tuesday morning, April 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Sardi's. The nominations ceremony will be broadcast worldwide via live stream right here at www.broadwayworld.com.

The nominations announcement begins the month of celebrations leading up to the 79th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) on Friday, May 17, 2013 at noon. Tickets for The Drama League Awards, which includes pre-event cocktails and the star-studded afternoon luncheon ceremony hosted by David Hyde Pierce, are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or by visiting www.dramaleague.org.

Patina Miller is currently appearing in Broadway in the revival of the musical, Pippin. Broadway: Sister Act (Tony, DD, Drama League & OCC Award nominations). Off-Broadway: Ragtime, Lost in the Stars, Hair, Romantic Poetry. Regional: Pippin (A.R.T.), First You Dream (Kennedy Center), Sister Act (ALLIANCE THEATRE, Pasadena Playhouse), Being Alive (Philadelphia Theater Company). West End: Sister Act (Olivier Award nomination). Graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

Michael Urie is currently appearing in the Off-Broadway production of Buyer and Cellar. New York Theatre credits include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Broadway), The Cherry Orchard (CSC), Angels in America (The Signature), The Temperamentals (Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, and Theatre World Awards, Drama League nomination), The Revenger's Tragedy (Red Bull), Another Vermeer (HB Playwrights). Regionally, he's worked for The Old Globe, Vineyard Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Seattle Rep, The Folger Shakespeare, Barrington Stage, Hyde Park (Austin), and The Blank (LA). Film credits include He's Way More Famous Than You (also directed), Thank You For Judging (co-director/exec producer), Beverly Hills Chihuahua, WTC View, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, The Decoy Bride, and Petunia. TV: "Partners" and as Marc St James on "Ugly Betty".

In addition to the competitive categories, it was previously announced earlier this year, 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.

The Drama League Awards Eligibility Committee recently determined that productions transferring from Off-Broadway to Broadway, or vice versa, in successive years are now eligible for consideration in both seasons.

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, 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.