2016 Drama Desk Awards: ‘Shuffle Along,’ ‘The Humans’ Come Out on Top (FULL LIST)
“Shuffle Along” and “The Humans” won the top honors at the 2016 Drama Desk Awards, scoring trophies for outstanding musical and outstanding play, respectively.
As the last of the season’s major theater awards before the June 12 Tony Awards, the Drama Desks offer one final glimpse at the titles and candidates gaining awards-season traction prior to the Tonys. But industry observers can’t read too much into these tea leaves: This year’s presumptive Tony champ, “Hamilton,” wasn’t eligible for the Drama Desks this year, because it was considered last year in its Off Broadway premiere (and won the top musical award).
The Drama Desks for revivals went to play “A View from the Bridge” and musical “She Loves Me.” “View” director Ivo Van Hove scored for director of a play, while the musical director honor was shared between John Doyle (“The Color Purple”) and Bartlett Sher (“Fiddler on the Roof”).
Among the starry names to nab acting honors were Jessica Lange and Michael Shannon, both for the Roundabout Theater Company revival of “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” as well as Frank Langella (“The Father”) and Jane Krakowski (“She Loves Me”). Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Fully Committed”) won for solo performance, while Steve Martin and Edie Brickell snagged the music award for their musical “Bright Star.”
The 61st annual Drama Desk Awards were handed out June 5 in a ceremony hosted by Michael Urie at midtown Manhattan venue Town Hall. The full list of 2016 Drama Desk Awards winners follows.
2016 DRAMA DESK AWARDS
Outstanding Play
The Humans, Roundabout Theatre Company
Outstanding Musical
Shuffle Along
Outstanding Revival of a Play
A View from the Bridge
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
She Loves Me, Roundabout Theatre Company
Outstanding Actor in a Play
Frank Langella, The Father, Manhattan Theatre Club
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Jessica Lange, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein, Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Michael Shannon, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed, Public Theater
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Christopher Fitzgerald, Waitress
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Jane Krakowski, She Loves Me
Outstanding Director of a Play
Ivo van Hove, A View from the Bridge
Outstanding Director of a Musical (tie)
John Doyle, The Color Purple
Bartlett Sher, Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding Choreography
Savion Glover, Shuffle Along
Outstanding Music
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star
Outstanding Lyrics
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Dear Evan Hansen
Outstanding Book of a Musical
John Caird, Daddy Long Legs
Outstanding Orchestrations
Larry Hochman, She Loves Me, Roundabout Theatre Company
Outstanding Music in a Play
Philip Glass, The Crucible
Outstanding Set Design for a Play
Christopher Oram, Hughie
Outstanding Set Design for a Musical
David Rockwell, She Loves Me
Outstanding Costume Design for a Play
Anita Yavich, The Legend of Georgia McBride
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical
Ann Roth, Shuffle Along
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Justin Townsend, The Humans
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
Outstanding Projection Design
Finn Ross, American Psycho
Outstanding Sound Design for a Play
Fitz Patton, The Humans
Outstanding Sound Design for a Musical
Dan Moses Schreier, American Psycho
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design
Mia M. Neal, Shuffle Along
Outstanding Solo Performance
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Fully Committed
Unique Theatrical Experience
That Physics Show
Special Awards
The Humans – Special Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble
Cassie Beck, Reed Birney, Jayne Houdyshell, Lauren Klein, Arian Moayed, and Sarah Steele spend a very special Thanksgiving Day together in Stephen Karam’s play, reminding us that home is indeed where The Humans are.
The Royale – Special Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble
The heavyweight cast of McKinley Belcher III, Khris Davis, Montego Glover, John Lavelle, and Clarke Peters gels as a unit in bringing Marco Ramirez’s story, inspired by Jack Johnson, to unforgettable life, offering a trenchant statement on racism in America.
Sheldon Harnick – Special Drama Desk Award
New productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Rothschild and Sons, and She Loves Me this season remind us that this veteran lyricist’s takes on faith, family and community are as resonant as ever.
Camp Broadway – Special Drama Desk Award
For more than 20 years, this indispensable organization has introduced young people to the magic of theater. Camp Broadway plays a crucial role in creating tomorrow’s audiences.
Danai Gurira – Sam Norkin Award
Whether writing about women in wartime Liberia in Eclipsed or about an affluent immigrant family from Zimbabwe struggling with assimilation in Familiar, Danai Gurira demonstrates great insight, range, and depth, bringing a fresh new voice to American theater.
Related stories
Road to the Tonys: Women Make Their Mark on Broadway With 'Waitress'
Tonys: Inside the $200,000 Kickstarter Campaign for a 'Spring Awakening' Performance
Road to the Tonys: When 'Hamilton' Costs Just $10 a Ticket
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
