SubscribeDrama League noms: 8 new plays, 8 tuners, 69 actors
Like the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk, the Drama League does not distinguish between Broadway and off-Broadway when doling out honors. However, with so many shows and performers included in today's nominations, 
chances are they cover most of the Tony Award contenders. Indeed, tuner "Passing Strange" and straight play "November," passed over by the OCC on Monday, made the cut with the League nominating committee, which is comprised of both theater professionals and the public.
While the League gives prizes for best play and musical as well as revivals, it is unique among the theater kudos in that it hands out only one award for distinguished performance. This year, 69 actors (CLICK HERE for the full roster) are competing for the honor first given to Katharine Cornell in 1935.
The most surprising omission on such a lengthy list has to be Kelli O'Hara, who garnered great reviews as Nellie Forbush in the recently opened revival of "South Pacific." While her leading man Paolo Szot, was nominated, she is in good company as neither of the supporting players – Danny Burstein and Loretta Ables Sayre –- who are in roles that won the originators Tonys back in 1950 made the cut either.
Also missing in action are Tony favorite Boyd Gaines, who appears opposite Patti LuPone in "Gypsy," as well as Eve Best and Raul Esparza, who picked up OCC nods for "The Homecoming." And "Young Frankenstein," which led the OCC noms with 10 nods saw only recognition for best musical and stars Roger Bart and Sutton Foster.
Tony contenders Norbert Leo Butz ("Is He Dead?"), Harvey Fierstein ("A Catered Affair"), and James Earl Jones ("Cat on a Hot Tin Roof") were ineligible for consideration since they have already won the award.
The League will fete the winners at a luncheon on May 12. For the full list of nominees (CLICK HERE.
