New York Drama Critics Circle Awards hail 'August: Osage County' & 'Passing Strange'

The New York Drama Critics Circle has weighed in with its choices for the best play and musical of the season. Tony frontrunner and Pulitzer Prize-winner "August: Osage County" took best play, as widely expected. Because the author of that work — actor-turned-playwright Tracy Letts — is American, the Circle considered making an award for best foreign play. Up for consideration were the second- and third-place finishers in the best-play race — Tom Stoppard's "Rock 'N' Roll" and Conor McPherson's "The Seafarer." Ultimately, the circle decided against such an award.

With "In the Heights" ineligible for best musical (it had been in the running last year for its off-Broadway incarnation), the competition was between two other shows with off-Broadway transfer "Passing Strange" edging out "The Adding Machine" on the third ballot 43 points to 37.

To read the full report of the voting at the Circle's website, CLICK HERE

(Photos: Music Box Theatre/ Belasco Theatre)