The 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominations party was held at Arte and was announced at the Friars Club in NYC. A Catered Affair, with 12
nominations headed the list, followed by Adding Machine, a brilliant musical adaptation of the 1923 Elmer Rice classic with 9 nods, while the acclaimed Lincoln Center production of "South Pacific" and the critically hammered commercialization of Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein" both scored eight. Heading the dramatic category Tracy Letts' "August:Osage County," a searing three generational depiction of a Midwest family that brings the "dysfunctional family" into the 21st century, outclassed the competition with 7 nominations including one for Best Play. "From Up Here," by Liz Flahive, another best play nominee, was next amongst the dramas with 4, while three musicals brought home 7 nominations: Passing Strange, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Slug Beareres of Kayrol Island.

All photos courtesy of the Barry Gordin Agency


Linda Lavin, Michael Morrison


Michael McKean, JamesFrain


Patrick Christiano,AndreDeShields



Stewart Lane, Bonnie Comley, Robert Blume


Tom Wopat


Laura Benanti


Leslie (Hoban)Blake, Boyd Gaines


Leslie Kritzer, Harvey Fierstein, Faith Prince

Linda Lavin, Patrick Christiano


David Korins, Scott Siegel

Elizabeth Ashley


Harvey Fierstein, Richie Ridge


Liz Flahive,Tobias Segal


Make Me A Song

Bill Pullman, Patrick Christiano


Cheyenne Jackson

Jeannine Lieberman & Ira Klein


Jenna Russell


Kelly O'hara & Paulo Szot


Boyd Gaines

Daniel Breaker

Donna Dunagan, Amy Morton, Rondi Reed

Eric Weinberger, Patrick Christiano


Tom Kitt, John Bucchino