Since 1944, the Theatre World annual compendium has been one of the most useful and beloved of all theatre reference books. Annually, Theatre World also announces a list of up-and-coming actors who demonstrated excellence that season.

Announced May 4, by editor John Willis the 1998 (54th annual) Theatre World Award winners include:
Max Casella (The Lion King)
Margaret Colin (Jackie)
Ruaidhri Conroy (The Cripple of Inishmaan)
Alan Cumming (Cabaret)
Lea DeLaria (On the Town)
Edie Falco (Side Man)
Enid Graham (Honour)
Anna Kendrick (High Society)
Ednita Nazario (The Capeman)
Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel)
Steven Sutcliffe (Ragtime)
Sam Trammell (Ah, Wilderness!)

Also, a special award went to British comedian Eddie Izzard (Dress to Kill), while The Beauty Queen of Leenane took an outstanding ensemble nod for its entire cast, Anna Manahan, Marie Mullen, Tom Murphy, and Brian F. O'Byrne.

Willis told Playbill On-Line (May 4) the awards will be given out May 14 at an undisclosed location (to avoid gate crashers). He also said the next volume of Theatre World (1995-96) was due to be published this week by Applause Books. Judges for the 1998 awards were the same as last year: Clive Barnes (NY Post), Peter Filichia (Playbill On-Line, Newark Star Ledger), Michael Sommers (Newhouse newspapers, Newark Star Ledger), Frank Scheck (Christian Science Monitor), Douglas Watt (Daily News), John Willis and newcomer Alexis Greene (InTheater). They chose the names from a list compiled by Willis.

Asked what he considered the season's most promising aspect, Willis said, "The number of productions; it was a very productive season. One of the best in many years." -- By David Lefkowitz