Look for the New York Drama Critics Circle committee to announce its 1999 theatre award winners May 4, after a morning meeting.

The NYDCC sticks to the basics: Best Play, Best Foreign Play, and Best Musical, plus the occasional special award. Last year's winners were Art (overall play), Pride's Crossing (American play) and The Lion King (musical), plus a special prize for Cabaret. In 1996-97, How I Learned to Drive (play), Skylight (foreign play) and Violet (musical) took the honors.

A NYDCC spokesperson told PBOL (April 14) the ballots are weighted, which means the morning meeting could be over in twenty minutes -- or two hours if there's no clear consensus. A week later, May 11, a winners' party is held (5-7 PM) at Sardi's theatrical restaurant.

Founded in 1935, the Circle comprises 23 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, and wire services based in the New York metropolitan area. Jacques le Sourd of the Gannett Newspapers is president of the organization. Le Sourd suffered a mild stroke in early March but has sufficiently recovered to maintain leadership of the organization.

-- By David Lefkowitz