Mark Rylance took the top prize at the 77^th Annual Drama League Awards Luncheon benefiting the Drama League Directors Project educational programs. Other winners at the luncheon that recognizes excellent on Broadway and Off-Broadway included WAR HORSE, THE BOOK OF MORMAN, THE NORMAL HEART, and ANYTHING GOES for best new play, best new musical, best revival of a play and best revival of musical. Theater legend James Earl Jones, a previous winner, presented Rylance with the Distinguished Performance award over 60 nominees at the afternoon soiree hosted by Kathleen Turner.

 

Special awards were presented to Liza Minnelli and Whoopi Goldberg, respectively for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre and Unique Contribution to the Theatre, while Susan Stroman, who most recently won critical acclaim for her work on the Broadway production of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, was honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing. By: Patrick Christiano

Photography: Barry Gordin