The honors are awarded to performers for making their first major New York stage appearance (Broadway or Off-Broadway debuts). The 63rd annual awards ceremony will be held June 5.
First presented in 1945, the Theatre World Awards are among the oldest theatrical awards. Traditionally, a committee of theatre writers chooses six men and six women. On occasion, the awards bestow a Special Theatre World Award on "performers, casts or others who have made a particularly lasting impression on the New York theatre scene," as stated on the official Theatre World Awards website.
The 2006 winners were:
The 12 awards bestowed are traditionally presented by former award winners. Last year's honorees were chosen by the Theatre World Awards committee, comprised of Peter Filichia (Theatermania.com), Harry Haun (Playbill), Matthew Murray (TalkinBroadway.com), Frank Scheck (New York Post), Michael Sommers (Newhouse Papers), Doug Watt (Critic Emeritus, New York Daily News) and Linda Winer (Newsday), and coordinated by Peter Filichia with Theatre World editor John Willis and Theatre World associate editor Ben Hodges. For further information, visit theatreworldawards.org.
