Theater News

Ebersole, Awake and Sing!, The History Boys, Jersey Boys, and Sweeney Todd Win 2006 Drama League Awards

Christine Ebersole
(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)
Christine Ebersole
(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)

At the Drama League’s 72nd annual awards ceremony and luncheon, held today at the Marriott Marquis, Christine Ebersole received the 2006 Distinguished Performance Award for her work in the musical Grey Gardens. In addition, Distinguished Production awards were won by two new shows (The History Boys, Jersey Boys) and two revivals (Awake and Sing!, Sweeney Todd). Alan Cumming, star of The Threepenny Opera, hosted the event.

In her acceptance speech, Ebersole said that Grey Gardens will definitely transfer to Broadway in the fall. She also remarked that playing Edie Beale in the show “has been the most humbling experience of my theatrical career, and so much bigger than I ever would have imagined. She takes me to new heights and depths of my own soul.” Ebersole was chosen from more than 70 performers who have been honored by the Drama League for their work this season. More than 50 of those performers, including Broadway first-timers Harry Connick, Jr., Cyndi Lauper, Julia Roberts, and David Schwimmer, sat on the dais during the luncheon and offered brief “thank you” speeches.

Among the most memorable moments of the event were Faith Healer star Ralph Fiennes thanking the crowd with a rhyming “ditty,” [title of show] co-creator Hunter Bell reading an actual e-mail exchange between him and co-creator Jeff Bowen, and Nathan Lane — honored for his work in both The Odd Couple and Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams — asking why the Drama League “couldn’t throw a bone” to Suzanne Somers and her solo show, The Blonde in the Thunderbird. Said Lane: “She’s like a Katrina victim; she also survived a disaster.” He also described the Drama League gathering as “like Festen, but without the incest.”

Three special awards were presented during the luncheon. Playwright Terrence McNally honored Marian Seldes, recipient of the League’s award for Unique Contribution to the Theater, calling her both “the First Lady of the American Stage” and its “high priestess.” Seldes, who received a lengthy standing ovation, said, “the theater has given me everything I ever dreamed of.”

Stephen Sondheim presented Sweeney Todd star Patti LuPone with the award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater. LuPone thanked all of her teachers from grade school onward, ending with a special mention of Seldes, whom she called “my champion at Juilliard.” Lastly, writer Aaron Sorkin presented the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing to DesMcAnuff, the director of Jersey Boys. Here is a complete list of nominees for the 2006 Drama League Awards, with the winners’ names in bold.

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DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Grey Gardens
Jersey Boys
See What I Wanna See
The Color Purple
The Drowsy Chaperone
[title of show]
The Wedding Singer

DISTINGUISHED PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams
Measure for Pleasure
Rabbit Hole

Spirit
Stuff Happens

The History Boys
The Lieutenant of Inishmore

The Ruby Sunrise

DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Sweeney Todd
The Pajama Game
The Threepenny Opera
Two Gentleman of Verona

DISTINGUISHED REVIVAL OF A PLAY
A Soldier’s Play
All’s Well That Ends Well
Awake and Sing!
Celebration and the Room
Faith Healer
Landscape of the Body
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial

The Trip to Bountiful
Three Days of Rain