Connick, Friedman, Griffiths, Young, et al. Win Theatre World Awards

Twelve performers have been named as the winners of this season’s Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances. They are: Harry Connick, Jr., The Pajama Game; Felicia P. Fields, The Color Purple; Maria Friedman, The Woman in White; Richard Griffiths, The History Boys; Mamie Gummer, Mr. Marmalade; Jayne Houdyshell, Well; Bob Martin, The Drowsy Chaperone; Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer; Nellie McKay, The Threepenny Opera; David Wilmot, The Lieutenant of Inishmore; Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, The Color Purple; and John Lloyd Young, Jersey Boys.

The invitation-only awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 2pm at Studio 54. The awards will be presented by former award winners including Lucie Arnaz (They’re Playing Our Song, 1979), Maxwell Caulfield (Class Enemy, 1980), Harry Groener (Oklahoma! revival, 1977), Ken Page (Guys and Dolls revival, 1977), Patricia Neal (Another Part of the Forest, 1947), John Rubinstein (Pippin, 1973), and Jonathan Pryce (Comedians, 1977). Several of the presenters will perform songs that they introduced in the shows for which they received their award.

The winners were chosen by the Theatre World Awards committee, comprised of Peter Filichia (Theatermania.com), Harry Haun (Playbill), Matthew Murray (TalkinBroadway.com), Frank Scheck (New York Post), Michael Sommers (Newhouse Papers), Doug Watt (critic emeritus, New York Daily News), and Linda Winer (Newsday). The awards ceremony will be written and hosted by Filichia. Walter Willison (Two by Two, 1971) will direct the event; Ben Hodges and Kati Meister are co-executive producers.

For further information, visit theatreworldawards.org.