The 2013 Theatre World Award winners, given to 12 performers making their Broadway (or Off-Broadway) debuts are:

Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical

Carrie Coon, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson

Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike  

Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy 

Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical

Rob McClure, Chaplin  

Ruthie Ann Miles, Here Lies Love  

Conrad Ricamora, Here Lies Love  

Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody

Yvonne Strahovski, Golden Boy

Tom Sturridge, Orphans 

Only “The Piano Lesson” and “Here Lies Love” were Off-Broadway.

I asked Valisia LeKae how she qualified, since she has been in four previous Broadway productions. “You know Jonathan, I can’t explain it,” she replied, “but I thank God for it. I’m grateful to be recognized in my debut starring role!”