The 68th Annual Drama Desk Awards, which spotlight excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway, has announced its nominees for this theater season—and many African American performers and productions have made the cut. The awards will be presented on Monday, June 10, at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (556 LaGuardia Place).
Looking at the list of Black nominees, one has to smile. In the category of Outstanding Play, there is “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” by Jocelyn Bioh. Anyone who saw this production knows that it put a spotlight on the lives and struggles of the women who do African hair braiding in Harlem. This production truly got our people to come out to the theater.
For Outstanding Revival of a Play, there are “Appropriate.” written by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, and “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch,” written by the late, great Ossie Davis. Both of these plays told African American stories on Broadway in their own unique ways.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play nominations include Leslie Odom Jr. for “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch” and William Jackson Harper for “Primary Trust.” Maleah Joi Moon earned a nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical for her role in “Hell’s Kitchen.” Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play earned nominations for Kara Young for “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch” and Brittany Adebumola in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.”
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Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical shined a light on three African Americans performers: Dorian Harewood in “The Notebook”; Kecia Lewis, “Hell’s Kitchen”; and Natalie Venetia Belcon, “Buena Vista Social Club.”
Outstanding Direction of a Play has Kenny Leon up for “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.” People who saw this play know that Leon took directing to another level, doing it with respect, love, and pride for this classic story and bringing it back to life for a new generation to appreciate.
Outstanding Choreography has put a spotlight on nominee Camille A. Brown for “Hell’s Kitchen.” Outstanding Costume Design of a Busical has nominations for Dede Ayite for “Buena Vista Social Club” and Paul Tazewell for “Suffs.”
Outstanding Wig and Hair has two nominations for Nikiya Mathis, for “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” and “The Harriet Holland Social Club Presents the 84th Annual Star-Burst Cotillion in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel.”
This year’s Drama Desk Awards will also honor Lady Irene Gandy, press agent for more than 50 years and a Broadway producer.
See you at the Skirball Center!