The theater version of EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) is DOLT (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel and Tony), host Marla Mindelle joked at the start of the 70th annual Drama Desk Awards at The Town Hall, where “The Balusters” was awarded outstanding play, and “Schmigadoon!” outstanding musical, two of the 32 competitive awards handed out last night at the three hour plus event, full of gratitude, entertainment and memories.
This was just the latest amid the swirl of theater award season, this past week also featuring the Drama League Awards (“Liberation” voted outstanding play, “Mexodus” outstanding musical, plus five other competitive awards) as well as the Meet the Nominees Tony event, and the nominations for the Off Broadway Alliance Awards r and for the Dorian Theater Awards.
As we make our way toward the culmination of award season with the Tonys on June 7, some favorites have clearly emerged: The revival of “Ragtime” is getting lots of love, with Joshua Henry in particular singled out for his performance (winning Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Drama League awards– not yet DOLT, but close to it), and his co-stars Caissie Levy and Ben Levi Ross not far behind.
Qween Jean, costume designer of Cats, Saturday Church, Oh Happy Day this season alone, is also taking center stage, and knows how to give an acceptance speech, full of fire and thanks, to a playbill full of individuals, and beyond:
“Love prevails…thank you to the universe. Thank you to God. Thank you to our ancestors, because there is something truly magical that is happening at the Broadhurst Theater….Thank you for the divine power of our resilient community that exists in this room, all over: Queer people are here, baby…We, as theater creatives, as theater practitioners, we have a role to play in this revolution coming.”
John Lithgow, winning the fifth Drama Desk Award, offered advice on how to repeat his feat: “Just grow to the age of 80 and keep coming back again and again and again.”
The Week in New York Theater News
Several current Broadway shows are coming to the screen:
On June 5, “‘Fallen Angels’ starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara will be streamed live on BroadwayHD
On June 8, 9 and 12, the Tribeca Festival will present “Hadestown the Musical,” filmed on the West End performed by the five principal members of the original Broadway cast: Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada, and Patrick Page. On June 8, after the film’s premiere, Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada will perform a live concert.
In November, a live capture of “Giant” starring John Lithgow, will be presented in 900 movie theaters across 18 countries, including the U.S.
About a dozen of the other current Tony-nominated plays and musicals are available in screen versions that either led to Broadway adaptations or were derived from shows on Broadway. (Broadway World)
Two more brilliants. Mariska Hargitay is taking over the role of the solo show “Every Brilliant Thing” from Daniel Radcliffe from May 26 to July 5, then Tracee Ellis Ross from July 7 – August 9
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, author, and producer Ledisi is joining the cast of “Wanted” as Tallulah Clarke, mother of the sisters Clarke, alongside Solea Pfeiffer and Liisi LaFontaine, beginning previews at The James Earl Jones Theatre with an opening night set for November 8, 2026. (See a video preview of their performance)
Speaking of Broadway 2026-2027 season:
First look at “key art” for “Galileo,” the new musical inspired by the life of Galileo Galilei, starring Raul Esparza, opening night at the Shubert Theater set for December 6. Tickets will be on sale through May 30, 2027.
June Theater Festivals
Rattlestick Theater and Lucille Lortel Theatre will present the 2026 edition of Global Forms, an all-international arts festival showcasing the work of immigrant theater artists June 1 to 7.
Jersey City Theater Center will present Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival, June 4 – 26,
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present performance from the National Puppetry Conference June 12 and 13
National Queer Theater will present the 2026 edition of the Criminal Queerness Festival, at HERE Arts Center June 10-27.
This Week’s Theater Video
A performance from “Wanted,” a musical opening on Broadway in November.
The late night talk shows are going whole hog on Broadway lately. A sample:
On The Tonight Show, a performance of “The Rocky Horror Show’…
and some anecdotes by Jim Parson from “Titanique”
Isa Brione is now portraying Connie Francis in “Just in Time”
