Seven new plays, five new musicals and seven revivals have been nominated for 1996-97 Drama League Awards. Julia Hansen, president of "New York's oldest theatrical organization," announced the nominees April 24, with the awards to be given at a May 9 ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of New York's Plaza Hotel at noon. Winners in other categories, including Distinguished Performance and Distinguished Achievement In Musical Theatre, will be announced at that time.
Nominated for Distinguished Production of a Play are Dealer's Choice, How I Learned To Drive, The Last Night Of Ballyhoo, A Question Of Mercy, Skylight, Taking Sides and The Young Man From Atlanta.
Nominated for Distinguished Production of a Musical are The Life, Play On!, Steel Pier, Titanic and Violet. (All but the last are currently on Broadway).
Nominated for Distinguished Production Of A Revival (Play Or Musical) are All My Sons, An Ideal Husband, Chicago, A Doll's House, The Entertainer, The Gin Game, Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass.
A special award for Unique Contribution To The Theatre will go to Jason Robards, for his 50 years in the American Theatre, to be presented by Christopher Plummer (Barrymore). Over 2,000 Drama League members are eligible to vote (1,500 are expected to). This year's nominating committee included: Hansen, League artistic director Roger Danforth, Norman Forman, Mrs. Robert P. Follert (awards committee chair), Sondra Gilman Gonzalez-Falla, Harold Reed and Paul Stiga.
Hosting the awards luncheon will be James Naughton (Chicago). Also expected at the ceremony are Edward Herrmann (Psychopathia Sexualis), Karen Ziemba (Steel Pier), Whoopi Goldberg (Forum), Pam Isaacs, Sam Harris, Nell Carter (Annie), Jean Stapleton (The Entertainer), Faith Prince (The King And I), Joel Grey (Chicago), and Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago).
For 80 years the Drama League has helped foster a Broadway audience and administer The Directors Project, a career development program for emerging directors.
For tickets and information on the 63rd annual Drama League Awards Luncheon call (212) 302-2100.
--By David Lefkowitz
