The New York Outer Critics Circle organization will announce nominees for its 49th annual awards April 12, with winners being announced April 26 and a traditional supper party to be given May 28.

The awards recognize excellence both on and off Broadway, with membership consisting of theatre critics who write about New York theatre for publications and media distributed outside Manhattan.

In 1998, Ragtime copped the Best Musical prize, though The Lion King took six other awards, including director and several design nods. Hedwig and the Angry Inch was chosen as the best Off-Broadway musical, while The Beauty Queen of Leenane and the revival of A View From The Bridge took Broadway play honors. Gross Indecency and Never The Sinner tied for the Off-Broadway play prize.

Marjorie Gunner serves as President of the OCC, which will send out suggestion ballots for nominations to its membership in early spring.

The same day, April 12, the Pulitzer Prize committee will announce its award for Drama. The Lucille Lortel Awards were announced April 6, with the top prize going to Margaret Edson's drama, Wit. -- by David Lefkowitz