The award, which "honors the distinctive talents and contributions made by the chorus of a Broadway musical," will be presented during the Sept. 22 ACCA meeting at Actors' Equity Association (Equity) headquarters in New York City.

Winners, who were part of the March, 19, 2009, opening-night cast of West Side Story, include Isaac H. Calpito, Hayley Carlucci, Peter John Chursin, Madeline Cintron, Kristine M. Covillo, Lindsay Dunn, Yurel Echezarreta, John Arthur Greene, Manuel J. Herrera, Marina Lazzaretto, Chase Madigan, Yanira Marin, Mileyka Mateo, Kaitlin Rae Mesh, Angelina Mullins, Kat Nejat, Christian Elan Ortiz, Pamela Otterson, Danielle Polanco, Sam Rogers, Michael Rosen, Amy Ryerson, Jennifer Sanchez, Manuel Santos, Michaeljon Slinger and Tanairi Sade Vazquez.

In a statement Kim Jordan, Equity's Second Vice President and ACCA Chair said, "The chorus of West Side Story truly exemplifies the talent, dedication and hard work that this award represents. They are an incredible example of what it means to be the heart and soul of a musical."

ACCA members attended the 11 musicals that opened during the 2008-2009 season. Five were nominated for the award: Billy Elliot, Shrek, Hair, White Christmas and West Side Story. As part of the selection process, the committee members "considered what both the director and choreography required of the chorus, the requisite skill of the chorus actor and the contributions the entire chorus made to the overall production," according to a press statement.

West Side Story, directed by Arthur Laurents, plays the Palace.