Is the nomination process perfect? No. Unlike the Tony's which are limited to shows on Broadway, the sheer diversity of shows considered provides a challenge to the nominators. Refining the process has been an ongoing conversation with the goal of ensuring that the amazing breadth of theater and talent in this city is seen and considered. The process is an art not a science, but in my experience, shows were considered based on their quality, not the stars or the venue.

In the two years I served as a nominator, I felt it was a great privilege and really a thrill to meet with six other people who are equally passionate about theater and discuss shows and their merits. There are always those who will quibble, and the process was always being examined to see how it could be more effectively implemented, and changes were always voted on by the committee and then presented to the board for approval. It was always, for me, an orderly procedure.

My experience with Ms. Siegel was that she had unimpeachable integrity in terms of order, process, allowing dissent and resolution. As I said, I have no way of knowing what's gone on in the meetings this year or last, but my two years on the committee were memorable for civility and respect among the members, the hard work of everyone on the committee and Ms. Siegel's considerate treatment of everyone involved. It is not an easy job, but it's one that Barbara has shouldered for several years. I felt privileged to work with her and would be thrilled to do so again.

Warm regards,

Christopher Byrne Theater Editor Gay City News

From Arlene Epstein, former nominator

When it was my pleasure to serve on the Nominating Committee I came away from a season where we attended theater up to 10 times a week, with awe as to Chairman Barbara Siegel's dedication and integrity. She wanted to make sure all New York theater of quality had an equal chance to receive recognition. Barbara made us appreciate the responsibility of a member of the Nominating Committee to follow the lead of her commitment.

If any one of us saw theater that ignited our passion she tried to make sure we all went to see it, ultimately resulting in nominations that have made a difference in the subsequent fortunes of both individual performers and theater companies. I had been a fan of the Classical Theater of Harlem and at my recommendation Barbara shlepped up to Harlem- then further encouraged our committee to do the same. The ultimate result was two nominations and a special award to the Company. I will never forget Barbara's wonderful support in that instance, and am sure others who've served on the Nominating Committee could offer similar kudos for her caring thoroughness.

If it's the same Chinese Restaurant we went to, it had the private room necessary for our increasingly lengthy deliberations and I know Barbara felt it was our most reasonable option. As to the selection and voting processes, there is no doubt that after we offered our choices and the reasons for same each member of the committee had an equal voice and vote.

Tony Phillips petulant, mean spirited actions speak for themselves so further condemning them would be redundant.

I am both sad and angry that Barbara and Bill Wolf have been burdened with this nonsense at such an already stressed time in our Drama Desk calendar. I consider you both not just colleagues but friends-so my heart is with you. My Latin is decidedly spotty (especially as to spelling) but "no lo carborundum"

Arlene Epstein

From Peter Filchia's Diary on Theatermania.com

It was the month in which Barbara Siegel, the head of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, took her lumps. To quote a well-known source, "Tony Phillips, a champion of small, nonprofit productions, says Siegel connives to knock such shows out of the running so that attention-grabbing Broadway musicals will be nominated instead." Funny, when I’ve attended the nomination announcements each year at the Friars’ Club in the years Siegel has been in charge, I’ve always been in awe at how extensive and all-inclusive the nominations have been. Given that I attend more than 200 New York productions each year, I daresay I have a good knowledge of what’s happening, but I always (and I mean ALWAYS) hear nominations for shows I’d barely heard of. I say Siegel got a bum rap.

From Vince Gatton

Hello, Barbara,

Vince Gatton here, whom you may remember from Candy & Dorothy a couple of years ago. I just saw Riedel's article in the Post regarding Tony Phillips and the brouhaha over the Drama Desk Nominating Committee.

I don't know Tony, and I don't know any more about his complaints or conflicts than what was printed in the article. But this sentence caught my eye:

'Phillips, a champion of small, nonprofit productions, says Siegel connives to knock such shows out of the running so that attention-grabbing Broadway musicals will be nominated instead.'

Well, you were on the committee that nominated me for Outstanding Actor in Play for the 2006 Awards, for a performance in an Off-Off-Broadway production that had made a brief run earlier that season. High-profile actors like Ralph Fiennes and David Schwimmer didn't receive nominations for their work that year -- but I did.

My every interaction with you that spring, and comments made during that time by others, left me with the impression that you had been a strong advocate for my inclusion.

Of course I can't know what went on in your committee's deliberations, or in your own heart and head. But for what it's worth: personal experience gives me no reason to doubt your commitment to recognizing outstanding work at all levels -- and to view this particular accusation with skepticism.

Hope you are well,

Vince

From Stephen Dolginoff

Dear Barbara,

I just came across Michael Riedel's ridiculous article in Today's Post, and I just had to write you. I believe I can safely say that there are no people more dedicated to theatre than you and Scott, and the things that Tony Phillips alleges are simply beyond credibility.

I will never forget all of the support you both gave THRILL ME (now in it's 25th production worldwide!) and it's fairly recent DD nomination for Best Musical totally shoots down Mr. Phillips theory of the Drama Desk only recognizing Major B'way shows.

I am confident that no one in the Drama Desk membership will take any of this seriously...and at the very least Riedel was balanced by including comments from William Wolf.

Anyway, I had to get that off my chest because I feel so strongly the need to acknowledge when negative things are said about wonderful people.

Keep doing all the great things you do

Best,

Stephen Dolginoff

From Jack Cummings III

Dear Mr. Wolf,

My name is Jack Cummings III and I am the Artistic Director of Transport Group, a non-profit theatre company devoted to 20th and 21st century American plays and musicals, both old and new.

In 2004, Transport Group received two Drama Desk nominations for our revival of Michael John LaChiusa's musical, First Lady Suite--Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Mary Testa). In 2005, we were honored with three Drama Desk nominations for our musical The Audience --Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and Outstanding Lighting Design. In 2007, Transport Group was honored with a Special Drama Desk Award for our 'breadth of vision and presentation of challenging productions.' All of these wonderful honors by The Drama Desks have occurred after only five years of existence and only eight productions.

So, you can imagine my incredible surprise upon reading Michael Riedel's Friday column in The New York Post reporting Tony Phillips' wild accusations against Barbara Siegel and by implication the other Drama Desk nominators and thus the Drama Desk Awards themselves. I met Mr. Phillips last year at The Drama Desk cocktail reception for nominees. He was very pleasant and so what I am writing is not meant to address Mr. Phillips personally, but rather the content of his letter.

As the Artistic Director of a non-profit theatre company, I have had to interact with Barbara Siegel on several occasions each year. She is nothing but supportive, professional, and enthusiastic. She has made it to every single production we have done--all the way down on East 4th Street, no less. She has been encouraging and I know that she has been one of our major champions. So, when I read statements that she favors commercial work over the work of non-profits, I am baffled to say the least. If this type of accusation had any merit, how would one explain our nominations and Special Award, not to mention the nominations of other companies like Keen and Water Well, among many. On a personal note, I remember the year I was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Audience. I was nominated over Jack O'Brien (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Jeff Calhoun (Brooklyn), and Susan Schulman (Little Women)--all three huge commercial productions and all three major commercial directors. My nomination that year alone disproves Mr. Phillips' accusations--and there are hundreds of nominations over the years that would do the same.

The Drama Desk Awards are to be commended for their devotion to all New York theatre. As you know yourself, the nominators are not paid and spend almost every evening of the year sitting through production after production. Each spring they shine a much needed spotlight on deserving artists. I, for one, would be willing to treat them all to lunch myself--it is the least they deserve. The fact that they meet 3-4 times a month seems entirely necessary so that productions with short runs don't fade from memory and are rightfully considered. Perhaps, the Tony Awards Nominating Committee should take a tip from The Drama Desks and do the same--this might improve their often weak and uninformed system.

I hope you will share this letter with your membership. On behalf of Transport Group, I have the utmost faith in The Drama Desk Awards, Barbara Siegel, and the rest of the nominators for that matter. Their devotion and hard work are only to be graciously thanked and applauded.

Thank you Mr. Wolf for your time.

Truly,

Jack Cummings III Artistic Director, Transport Group

From James Morgan

The recent brouhaha re: the Drama Desk nominating committee is very sad. I have known Barbara Siegel for a number of years, and have always admired her dedication—both to her job as a reviewer, and to her job on the Drama Desk nominating committee. I have always found her highly supportive of New York theatre and its artists, and especially supportive of smaller companies that are often overlooked by various award committees. Her criticism (written with her husband Scott) is both encouraging and constructive; they eschew the nastiness in which so many other theater critics gleefully indulge

I hope that she emerges from this unscathed, as the New York theatre community needs her---as does the Drama Desk.

Sincerely,

James Morgan Producing Artistic Director York Theatre Company

From Publicist Patty Freedman

Barbara embodies everything I love about theatre…she is a passionate supporter and an advocate for performers and projects…She has a encyclopedic knowledge and a heart of gold…plus, she loves what she does, and that is apparent in all she does…lucky for the performers, projects companies she notices, and thinks are good…but the truth is, in Barbara’s world, she sees everything, and gives everyone a chance. Sometimes we are all involved in projects that we don’t like, or do not turn out as we expected…what I, as a publicist have always been able to count on, is that she will be there…she tries to believe in it, as I have, and shares her knowledge. That’s pretty great I think

Patty Freedman

From lyricist Amanda Green

It was a preposterous accusation included in a preposterous article written for no other reason than to try to create a stir where none exists , by the ever reliably reptilian Michael Riedel!

xoxo Amanda

From Sarah Kate Jackson

Dear Barbara,

My husband forwarded me the article in yesterday's Post. Of course, I have no idea about what goes on in any organization whose impossible job it is to select shows and performances to be singled out for an award nomination - much less how a group of people can agree on such a selection! - I can only imagine that things can - and do - get very intense and even personal.

What I do know is that in the span of less than 12 months you and Scott came 4 blocks south of Canal and up 4 flights of ridiculously steep stairs twice to see two micro budgeted, little publicized, unadvertised off-off-Broadway plays- which I happened to be in - and then wrote about it.

Due in no small part, I believe, to the incredibly kind words you wrote in your column about me in those plays - which I've included in every submission to every project I make - I have been getting called in to audition in offices I have never made it into before; on projects the scale of which I have never been involved with; and am, in fact, now on location in Boston shooting a major motion picture Studio film with A-list stars due to one such audition

So, I just wanted to let you know that, regardless of what may be going on right now, you have a fan and supporter in someone who knows just how important your contribution to theater and the theater-artist can be.

My best,

Sarah Kate Jackson

From critic Harry Forbes

Barbara,

I think even a casual reader of Michael Riedel's column can see the clear truth of that sour grapes story. It's you and Bill who come off with total credibility.

You're the most conscientious, scrupulous, dedicated, fair-minded, knowledgeable champion of good theater I can think of (and one who always looks to boost the underdog), as everyone in the business well knows and appreciates!

Harry Forbes
Catholic News Service, Back Stage

From Robert Cashill, one of six nominators this season

To William Wolf, President, Drama Desk

Bill:

Having finished reading Michael Riedel’s column this morning, all I can say is if Tony Phillips had spent as much time on committee business as he did on composing his exit rant he might have amounted to something as a nominator this season. Much of his tenure was spent on organizing kamikaze attacks on the Committee Chair and sowing seeds of dissent, which I can report failed to take root. Our time during meetings has been spent far more productively since his removal.

The timing of his self-aggrandizing pack of lies could not be more unfortunate, as we begin our final deliberations. It goes without saying that it serves his interests more than the Drama Desk’s, which he clearly seeks to “save” by destroying. But we will not be deterred. I can assure you that every show seen this season, numbering in the hundreds, from the biggest Broadway spectacular to the smallest Off Off Broadway show, has received ample consideration during our meetings, which go late into the evening at this time of the year, and for which we are asked to provide our own food and drink.

Do we eat lunch during our weekend sessions? Yes—but Barbara keeps a watchful eye on costs. Steak and champagne is not the order of the day, lest our membership and a general readership think it so. I must add that at no time did I ever see Phillips go without eating, putting his money where his mouth is at it were. If only he brought the “hellbent” gusto he exhibited scanning menus and tucking into his meals to the rest of his duties, which were at best sluggishly executed, and only after considerable prodding.

But enough about Phillips. Despite this turn of events I can say that the hard work—and it is hard work, demanding hours outside of seeing shows and attending meetings—is highly rewarding as well, and will translate into a deserving crop of nominees from Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway come April 28. I attribute much of our success to our chairperson, Barbara Siegel, who has been forced once more into crisis management mode by Phillips’ maneuverings. Her leadership throughout has been faultless. And she, and we, will again prevail.

In closing, I would say that the most disgraceful remark reported in this morning’s column applies to Phillips and not to Barbara: “A diabolical bent mixed with incredible stupidity.” He has brought shame onto himself and I would say to our organization, except that he is, thankfully, no longer a part of it.

Robert Cashill Drama Desk Nominator, 2007-2008 season

From Gerard Raymond, one of six nominators this season

To William Wolf, President, Drama Desk

Bill,

I already sent you a note this morning expressing my support and confidence in Barbara's stewardship of the Nominating Committee. I wanted to add a few comments dealing with the specific distortions in Tony's so-called Letter of Resignation to the Drama Desk membership.

Number of Meetings It is true that the number of meetings increased in the past two months -- but it should be noted that this situation was partly caused by Tony himself, who absented hiimself for a whole month in August and wasn't helpful with avaialbe dates when Barabra tried to schedule meetings earlier in the season.

The increased number of meetings also reflected the heavy work load of shows and the many issues that had to be discussed fully given that so many shows (and roles) didn't fit easily into accepted categories. It says a lot of the integrity of the work of the nominating committee as managed by Barbara that all these variables are scrupulously discussed so as to be totally fair to the entire range of theater presented in NY during the season.

Lunches The members should be made aware that thse lunches that Tony implied were profligate came in the midst of a meeting that started at 10:30 am and went on till half hour before a matinee curtain on a Saturday or Sunday. Given that all of us are volunteering our time and giving up our weekends, it does not seem extravagant to have lunch at the expense of the Drama Desk. The location of the Chinese restaurant, which the NY Post reported as being close to Barbara's apt, is particularly malicious on Tony's part given that anyone who knows Barabara will know that she has been in a series of sublets and out-of- town hotels throughout the entire season and is still not back in her own apartment.

Having lunch at the meeting place also ensures that we can work through steadiy without a break until it is time to attend yet another show. Further, we have made our own food arrangements for the extra meetings that are now being held daily during the final weeks.

17 Rule While we all regretted that the 17 performance rule would eliminate some of our personal favorites during the season, it was a logistical necessity to ensure that the committee members would have the time to cover the shows that most of the membership would be seeing during the season --i.e. Broadway, established residential companies, commercial off-Broadway and significant off-off Broadway productions. If Tony had had his way, we would have ended up having to schedule even more meetings given the abundant riches of the total New York theater landscape. As you well know, this was a eventually a board decision and not one made by Barbara individually.

Video Projection award I think it was clear when we voted to request this category from the Board (and got that approval) that we would reserve the right to either use it or not, based on how the shorlisting and voting progressed. Given this uncertainty, it would seem obvious that to announce it prematurely to either the press agents or the membership would set up an unfair expectation for something we may have decided on only during the final deliberations.

Laptop I should address this since the remark on this subject directly concerns me. You already know the history of the decision to purchase the laptop. It was agreed that two people with laptops would be needed when the voting was being tallied, to ensure that one could back up the other. I had a personal laptop of my own which I volunteered to bring to the final meetings. I also presented to you and Barbara a cost analysis of what it would cost to rent a second laptop for the sessions as opposed to buying one outright. The decision was yours, anf I think it was the right one-- that in the long term a Drama Desk owned laptop would be far more cost efficient than renting one each year. In fact ,within two years the laptop would have paid for itself and it would also provide a depository for each year's nominating committee records that would not be dependent on any individual nominator, but rather belong to the organization. Add to that the actual total cost of the laptop of under $700.

As to the preposterous charge that the laptop was being used by me to check email: Tony was present at only one early meeting when the laptop was used for a trial run of the voting process. It it would have been impossible to get email since there was no internet access in the restaurant. I would hardly need to check my email when I would have been able to do it from work or home prior to the meeting. It was Tony who would be constantly on his Blackberry texting messages during the actual meetings, causing delays in the shortlisting process, which in turn resulted in the very same increase of meetings that he complains about.

Computer Training Tony makes much of how he "knocked himself out" managing the shorlist and how there was nobody else trained to do it. First of all he was constantly late in emailing the copy of the shortlist to the rest of group and he refused to prepare in a more readable format for the group. Two more nominators (one of them myself) had to step to take carte of the tasks that Tony decided he was not going to do -- re-formatting and printing. This is actually documented in the meeting minutes. The computerized process is going very smoothly now without Tony -- so much for his "concern" about cross-training

Ultimately, it seems to me that the central falsehood in Tony's entire diatribe against Barbara and the Drama Desk Nominating Committee process, is that he volunteered to serve for a second year. He had a full year to assess the nature of the work and the personality of the president and no one held a gun to his head to come back for a second year. Perhaps he enjoyed the privileges too much to and discovered his righteous and moral indignation only when he was told that he was behaving in a manner that was completely unfair to the rest of the committee members and detrimental to the nominating process.

I know I speak for the rest of my colleagues on the committee when I say that despite Tony's vicious misrepresentations, we all feel that we have worked very hard as a team and are confident that the end result will reflect our hard work, and Barbara's steady leadership. It will be something to be proud of.

Regards

Gerard Raymond

Gerard Raymond's email to Michael Riedel

Hi Michael, I am sure you have got enough emails from your original story based on Tony's complaints about the Drama Desk nominating process, and I think by now you must be aware that it reflected a particularly jaundiced and distorted view from someone who had an axe to grind.

I was sorry to read today your off-hand comment about the nominating process not being kosher as I can certainly attest that it's integrity is beyond any doubt, whatever one may think of the actual nominations it produced.

As someone who became part of this process for the first time this year, I just wanted to let you know that if there was one thing that impressed me it was how completely fool-proof the system actually is. And what may look like a calculated snub and or the occasional anomaly from the outside, is actually the genuine result of the taste of 6 individuals and the result of very scrupulous and detailed discussion through the season.

It is impossible for any one person to rig the outcome of this process which takes place after a year's worth of shortlisting and deliberation. It is based on a majority vote which the entire nominating committee unanimously supports as the Drama Desk nominations for the year.

Best regards

Gerard

From Richie Ridge, one of six nominators this season

Dear Drama Desk Members,

I am shocked and appalled at Tony Phillips malicious, slanderous and vicious email. Not only is it an attack on Barbara Siegel but also on the nominating committee and the core that is the Drama Desk. Don’t be misled by his inaccurate rant with one lie after another. I have been on the nominating committee for all the years that Barbara has served as chair and I know from first hand experience that she is often the first one from the committee to send out a nomination suggestion to the rest of the committee for an off Broadway show. No one has worked harder for this organization then she. The only thing diabolical is Tony Phillips dastardly comments to try to destroy Barbara’s great character and extraordinary leadership. If you look back on the years that she has served as chair you will see there is a great number of smaller shows included in the Drama Desk nominations. I quote what fellow nominator Robert Cashill wrote in his letter on the subject, “If Tony had spent as much time on committee business as he did on composing his exit rant he might have amounted to something as a nominator this season.” I observed Tony’s behavior at meetings which included him with an open newspaper and text messaging and trying to indulge in side conversations that Barbara had to stop. Tony’s concern for the lunches was not apparent when he was ordering his meals, but only when he was resisting additional meetings that we needed to do the work to make the Drama Desk proud and to support our extremely important and careful nominating process. Barbara Siegel always kept the cost down and many of our meetings were held at offices with no expense at all to the Drama Desk including all the post theatre meeting which are taking place every night until our cutoff. As for setting up meetings, Tony was often difficult to pin down including the month of August, because we couldn’t find an agreeable date because of him. This continued right up to the end of the season where he attempted to get the other nominators behind him to refusing a much needed meeting. This back fired on him. Unfortunately for Tony, 5 of us agreed we should have that meeting. Tony’s allegation in which he charges that it was Barbara who removed the show Twist from last year’s ballot and replaced it with Mary Poppins, is just a down right lie. Everything was voted upon by the nominators. I was one of them. I voted on that category. Tony claims to be a champion of the small, non- profit productions, however a good nominator would also be championing off Broadway and Broadway. Tony obstructed the progress of our meetings because he hadn’t yet seen several Broadway productions that the rest of us had seen much earlier. Many of the points that Tony has attacked Barbara for, are decisions that were made in consultation with or by President Bill Wolf. I think it is very sad that it is Tony who has tried to soil the reputation of chair person Barbara Siegel and to drag down this wonderful organization because his manipulative schemes have backfired on him. The nominating committee will continue to deliberate and deliver a list of nominations that will make the Drama Desk proud which we will now be able to do more effectively as Tony is no longer a nominator. It is unfortunate that his nasty words have appeared in the New York Post, while as the truth of what has happened, with the nominating committee, will only be read by the members who read this and the notes from the other two nominators Robert Cashill and Gerard Raymond. It is with great pride that I continue to work hand in hand with Barbara Siegel, a leader who deserves my respect and yours as she continues to run the Drama Desk Nominating Committee so efficiently as we get ready for our end result, this years nominations.

Regards,

Richard Ridge

From Dan Bacalzo, one of six nominators this season

So, for those who haven't already seen it, the Drama Desk nominations have been announced and are up on the Drama Desk website (http://www.dramadesk.org/press068.html).

As one of the six nominating committee members this year, I am extremely proud of the work we've done and the final slate of nominations that were selected. While you may or may not agree with our choices, they are the result of an extremely thorough process of discussing potential nominees, making impassioned arguments for shows and individuals, and voting democratically so that no one person can determine whether or not something makes it onto the list. Indeed, in the vast majority of categories, it takes at least three people to vote for an individual/show for it even to be a serious contender for a nomination.

I want to emphasize this last point, as our hardworking chairperson, Barbara Siegel, has recently come under attack by former nominating committee member Tony Philips, with charges of altering ballots to ensure that large-scale Broadway shows are given precedence over smaller shows. Now that I've seen first-hand how the process works, I can guarantee that it's impossible for her to do this. Yes, she can make an argument for a particular show that may affect someone else's voting, but that is an important part of the process that all committee members engage in. Ironically, Barbara was often one of the people who spoke up in favor of some of the smaller shows and lesser known actors that she felt had merit over some of the more high-profile Broadway entries.

I've known both Barbara and Tony for years, and was extremely distressed by Tony's letter and the public and hateful accusations he leveled against Barbara in The New York Post. If Tony felt he got a raw deal because he was dismissed from the nominating committee, he should have found another way to resolve his issues. And by taking the action he did, he undermines his own credibility. I certainly don't think that Barbara is "diabolical" as he accuses her of being. On the contrary, she invests so much of her time and energy into the Drama Desk and I would like to publicly express my appreciation for her efforts.

Sincerely,

Dan Bacalzo Managing Editor, TheaterMania

Drama Desk Board Statement re New York Post article

We wish to make it clear that we totally support Barbara Siegel in the face of the outrageous charges by Tony Philips, whom Ms. Siegel and William Wolf, Drama Desk president, dismissed from the nominating committee. We have complete confidence in her committee leadership and her integrity, and we can attest that at our Executive Board meetings Barbara asks for and is given policy guidance for the work of the Nominating Committee, whether on such matters as categories to include, eligibility and necessary expenditures. Our treasurer, Charles Wright, reports fully on money allotted for lunches for Nominating Committee meetings and any required purchase, such as a computer that owning would be less expensive than renting, a decision approved by the President and the Board. Choosing a restaurant has to do with finding one that can offer a private room. In any case, such expenses are minimal over the course of a theater season.

The claim by Philips that Barbara Siegel is leading the Drama Desk away from off-Broadway shows toward Broadway hits is sheer nonsense belied by the history of our nominations. The very idea that Barbara, of all people, is attempting to skew the Drama Desk Nominating Committee toward more Broadway and less Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway is absurd. Her record in that regard speaks for itself. She has been a champion of small productions across the spectrum of New York theater. Under her stewardship The Keen Company, the Transport Group, The Classical Theatre of Harlem , and many other worthy companies have gotten a major boost.

Time and again Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows and companies have thanked us for the support we give to their work. Individuals have thanked us for nominations that have been instrumental in boosting their careers. One need only look at our record. For example, nominations for the 2006-07 season in various categories involved such non-Broadway shows as Blackbird, The Accomplices, The Hairy Ape, Di Yam Gazlonim!, Essential Self-Defense, The Field, Dutchman, Some Men, Satellites, The Internationalist, The American Pilot, Adrift in Macao, Marco Millions (based on lies), Gutenberg! The Musical!, Twist: Please, Sir, May I Have Some More?, Capitol Steps, Hell House, Brundibar/But the Giraffe, Lookingglass Alice, Dai (enough), (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story, Sisters, No Child…, Amajuba: Like Doves We Rise, Absinthe, and numerous others.

The specific accusation that Barbara Siegel nixed a nomination for Twist in favor of Mary Poppins flies in the face of reality. William Wolf was on the committee and verifies that all decisions were made by committee vote, not by Barbara, and having served with Barbara on the Committee for a total of three years, he affirms that voting according to procedures was always the method. ‘Barbara and I could do no more than cast our individual votes,’ he says.

THE DRAMA DESK EXECUTIVE BOARD

SIGNED BY ITS MEMBERS:

WILLIAM WOLF, President

LESLIE (HOBAN) BLAKE, Vice President

CHARLES WRIGHT, Treasurer and Second Vice President

JOYCE HAUSER, Secretary

MICHAEL BRACKEN

DAVID KAUFMAN

ELLIS NASSOUR

SAM NORKIN

ELYSE SOMMER

(Note: BARBARA SIEGEL is also a member of the Executive Board)

From Andy Propst, former nominator

Dear Barbara,

It was good seeing you yesterday. I can't imagine the additional pressure that you've been feeling during the past week as you've put the final touches on the Drama Desk nominations for 2007-2008.

You know, we've had the chance to work together three years on the nominating process, and the thing that keeps coming back to me about the time we've worked together on the Nominating Committee, is how much passion and drive you bring to the process. When I joined the committee, you made it exceedingly clear to me that you needed to have a committee membership that would be going to see as much as humanly possible. As such, during my time on the committee, shows were juggled and seen to make sure that no 'slots' ever went unfilled. The result was that we developed, three years running, ballots that reflected the rich diversity of theater in New York.

Like I said, I'm sure the past week or so has been unbelievably stressful and hurtful for you, I hope that as you have worked through, and continue to work through, this all that you will be able to take comfort in the fact that you have always done what you can to make sure that the Drama Desk and its principles of honoring excellence in the field have been, and will be, upheld.

All my best,

Andy Propst

From Susan Haskins, former nominator and Michael Riedel’s partner on TV’s Theater Talk

Dear Barbara

You have my full support, as Michael Riedel already knows. It was a pleasure to work with you on The Drama Desk Nominating Committee,

All the best

Susan Haskins Theater Talk

From David Sheward, former Nominator and former President of the Drama Desk

Bill,

Just a note from one president to another, I know what you’re going through and you have my sympathy and support. While I was president and on the nominating committee, there was always some personality conflicts and squabbling, but no one ever quit or was dismissed with acrimony. One member did leave midway through the season when his schedule got too hectic, but there were no hard feelings. If there were disagreements (and there were plenty), we kept it within the organization and did not blab to the press, causing embarrassment for the whole group. This will blow over and every one will forget about it by Monday.

I do think this all sounds incredibly petty. I agree with you that the number of meals is a ridiculous thing to complain about. I have no problem with the organization paying for them if they are within reason which I’m sure they are.

As far as excluding small shows for bigger more commercial ones, that’s just patently ridiculous. If anyone would take the trouble to look at the nominations for the past few seasons, they would see that the DD is the most inclusive awards organization in NYC, including some pretty obscure stuff (Charlie Victor Romeo, Christmas with the Crawfords, The Audience, Dai, Orange Flower Water, that little revival of Outward Bound, Pullman Car Hiawatha, Moby Dick, Cam Jensen, The Voice of the Turtle, Soldier’s Wife, Candy and Dorothy, etc.) and excluding big stuff (like Titanic, The Color Purple). We definitely do not care about becoming like the Tonys or placing an emphasis on nominating celebrities just so we will have big names at our parties. Reidel should have taken a look at our nominations for the past ten years and he would have seen how inaccurate Philips’ charge was. I don’t always agree with every nomination, but I do believe Barbara is meticulous and fair (sometimes overly so, but she always errs on the side of being too detailed). In the history of the DD, we have not always been perfect (I’m still mad we didn’t nominate Kevin Spacey for Iceman in 1999), but we have been fair.

Anyway, this too shall pass. We’ll have a wonderful time at the nominations and the awards. I look forward to seeing you there

David Sheward, Executive Editor, Back Stage

From David Finkle, former nominator

Michael:

I haven’t been on the Drama Desk nominating committee for the last three or four years and therefore can’t comment on what’s been happening this season or on Tony Phillips’s behavior since I don’t know him. But I was on the committee for the three or four years before that.

So I’ve served with Barbara and can say that during that time she was anything but biased towards Broadway. Quite the opposite. She was forever insisting off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway deserved as much attention as they could be accorded and frequently expressed concern that too many Drama Desk members (those not on the committee) were happy to go to Broadway shows but overlooked productions elsewhere.

She also fought for weighted ballots in order for all votes to be treated fairly. Moreover, she introduced the frequent lunches for valid reasons having to do with making sure productions that opened earlier in the year weren’t scanted as season’s end neared.

I know that Barbara’s crusade to be honorable can occasionally seem excessive, but when Drama Desk matters are being considered, she was never less than scrupulously honest.

Thanks and I haven’t forgotten that I owe you a drink,

David

Text of Statement by William Wolf to Michael Riedel

The unprofessional attitude that led to our dismissal of Tony Philips from our Nominating Committee is reflected by his telling the press of his resignation before sending it to the Drama Desk.

His attack on Barbara Siegel, the chair of our Nominating Committee, is outrageous and filled with untruths. I have worked with Barbara closely and have found her to be the most competent, dedicated, efficient and principled leader one would ever hope to find. Like the other dedicated nominators, she serves voluntarily. Because we cover Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway in competition in the same categories, the level of theater-going throughout the season to see more than 400 shows is a huge effort that also requires many discussion meetings by the nominators, especially as we get closer to the end of the season.

The nominators sacrifice much of their time in the spirit of carefully evaluating each show seen and are warned of this intensity when they agree to serve. Shows are short-listed by vote all season so they are kept to the forefront. It turned out that Philips couldn’t or wouldn’t cooperate to the extent needed and had been non-compliant since mid-winter. We hoped his attitude would change, but for the sake of smooth operation of the committee, dismissed him a few weeks ago as he was becoming increasingly uncooperative. He accuses Barbara Siegel of bias in evaluating shows. This is absolutely not the case but just the opposite. She is scrupulously fair in making certain that all decisions are taken by vote according to our long-standing nominating procedures. I know from personal experience on the committee last season that Tony’s accusations against Barbara are total nonsense and patently false. All decisions are made according to votes within the committee.

Given the necessity of the frequent meetings, it is our policy that the volunteers be served an appropriate lunch when they meet at mealtime. We have a fund for that sort of thing, as well as to pay for necessary equipment, and all is done with approval by our Board of Directors. I am confident that Philips’ long, hysterical letter to the membership will be seen as a biased and a disgruntled rant. I not only give a full vote of confidence to Barbara Siegel but salute her for her leadership.

I am also confident that when the Drama Desk nominations for the 2007-08 season are announced at the Friar’s Club on the morning of April 28, they will reflect the hard work of the dedicated nominators arrived at by the most meticulous of voting procedures and dedicated theatergoing.

William Wolf, President, The Drama Desk