BMI Workshop Receives Distinguished Honor from Drama League

Posted in News on May 25, 2005

Congratulations to the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, which received the 2005 Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award at the 71st Annual Drama League Awards and Luncheon held May 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

Gathered before the luncheon are BMI's Del Bryant; Frank Evans, Workshop Steering Committee, "Avenue Q" co-writer Jeff Marx, who accepted the award on behalf of BMI; David Spencer, Workshop Steering Committee; "Avenue Q" co-writer Robert Lopez, who accepted the award on behalf of BMI; BMI award presenter Maury Yeston, Workshop Steering Committee; Patrick Cook, Workshop Artistic Coordinator; Jane Smulyan, Workshop Steering Committee; and BMI's Jean Banks.

BMI award-winning composer Maury Yeston ("Nine," "Titanic"), a longtime moderator of the Workshop, presented the award, and "Avenue Q" composers and Workshop alumni Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx accepted the prestigious trophy on behalf of BMI.

Also honored was BMI composer David Yasbek, composer/lyricist of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," which recently picked up 11 Tony nominations. The Broadway show won the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical. In addition, eight-time Tony Award-winning director Mike Nichols, also a BMI composer, was honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing.

BMI composers Maury Yeston, Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, BMI's Del Bryant and BMI composer David Yazbek

The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America and are the only major awards given by theatregoers themselves. They are chosen each year by thousands of Drama League members nationwide. The Drama League Awards honor distinguished productions and performances on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing.

photos by Gary Gershoff

SOURCENews TAGS Musical Theatre Artists Del Bryant Patrick Cook Lehman Engel Frank Evans Robert Lopez Jeff Marx Mike Nichols David Spencer David Yazbek Maury Yeston