This will mark the fourth time in the past six years that Fierstein has hosted the Drama Desk Awards, having emceed the Awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Robert R. Blume, executive producer of the annual awards ceremony, said in a statement, "We are delighted that Harvey Fierstein has accepted our invitation to host this year's awards ceremony. He has a cutting edge sense of humor and a quick wit that are perfectly suited for this type of hosting assignment. He understands all aspects of theater and uses his knowledge to great advantage."

William Wolf, president of the Drama Desk, added, "The Drama Desk organization takes great pride in our awards presentations and the selection of Harvey Fierstein as host this year is welcomed. Harvey has done a magnificent job hosting in the past and we are confident his professionalism will add excitement to this year’s proceedings."

As previously announced, Tony Award winners Jim Dale and Faith Prince will announce the nominees for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards April 27 at 9:30 AM ET at the New York Friars Club.

The Drama Desk is an organization of theatre critics, writers and editors that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and not-for-profit. The 2008-2009 Drama Desk nominating committee comprises Barbara Siegel (Chairperson) TalkinBroadway.com, TheaterMania.com; Dan Bacalzo, TheaterMania.com; Christopher Byrne, Gay City News; Patrick Christiano, TheaterLife.com, Dan's Papers; Jason Clark, Entertainment Weekly, TheaterOnline.com; Gerard Raymond, Back Stage, The Advocate; and Richard Ridge, Broadway Beat TV.

The Drama Desk, organized in 1949, presented its first awards in 1955.

Harvey Fierstein won two 1983 Tony Awards — Best Actor in a Play and Best Play — for his groundbreaking opus Torch Song Trilogy. He also won a Best Book of a Musical Tony in 1984 for Jerry Herman’s La Cage aux Folles, and a Best Actor in a Musical Tony for Hairspray. Fierstein's other plays include Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Forget Him. His film credits include "Independence Day," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Bullets Over Broadway," "The Times of Harvey Milk" and "Torch Song Trilogy." He wrote and starred in HBO’s "Tidy Endings," which brought him an ACE Award. Fierstein also published the children's book "The Sissy Duckling." He recently returned to Broadway in the new musical he co-wrote with John Bucchhino, A Catered Affair.