News
August 30, 2018
We're saddened to learn of Brian Murray's passing but count ourselves lucky to have worked with the three-time Tony nominee in Mud River Stone; Edward Albee's Me, Myself, and I; and The Butterfly Collection, as pictured below. As we reflect on Brian’s decades-spanning career, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
April 27, 2018
2018 Drama Desk Awards Nominations
Congratulations to our Drama Desk Award nominees!
Outstanding Play
Miles for Mary
Written by The Mad Ones
Outstanding Director
Lila Neugebauer, Miles for Mary
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical
Dede M. Ayite, Bella: An American Tall Tale
April 18, 2018
2018 Lortel Award Nominations
This year we’ve received 14 nominations from The Lucille Lortel Awards!
Outstanding Play
Miles for Mary
Written by Marc Bovino, Joe Curnutte, Michael Dalto, Lila Neugebauer, and Stephanie Wright Thompson
The Treasurer
Written by Max Posner
Outstanding Musical
Bella: An American Tall Tale
Produced by Playwrights Horizons
Book, music, and lyrics by Kirsten Childs
Outstanding Director
Lila Neugebauer, Miles for Mary
Outstanding Choreographer
Camille A. Brown, Bella: An American Tall Tale
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Peter Friedman, The Treasurer
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Marc Bovino, Miles for Mary
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Ashley D. Kelley, Bella: An American Tall Tale
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Brandon Gill, Bella: An American Tall Tale
Paolo Montalban, Bella: An American Tall Tale
Outstanding Scenic Design
Amy Rubin, Miles for Mary
Outstanding Costume Design
Dede M. Ayite, Bella: An American Tall Tale
Outstanding Lighting Design
Bradley King, The Treasurer
Outstanding Sound Design
Mikhail Fiksel, The Treasurer
September 10, 2017
Michael Friedman
(September 1975 – September 2017)
Michael Friedman during the run of Mr. Burns, photo by Gibson Frazier.
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Michael Friedman's passing. We had the privilege of working with Michael on Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Saved, and others. An extraordinary artist, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
More on Michael Friedman via The New York Times →
June 12, 2017
2017 Tony Award Nominations
We're incredibly proud of all our colleagues whose achievements have been recognized at the Tony Awards this season. A special congratulations to these 2017 Tony Award-winning friends and alumni of Playwrights.
Stephen Levenson – BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Former Literary Fellow
Mimi Lien – BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
The Whale, The Shaggs, Milk Like Sugar
Christopher Akerlind – BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
This Flat Earth (upcoming), The Butterfly Collection, Freedomland
Rebecca Taichman – BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
This Flat Earth (upcoming), Familiar, Stage Kiss, Milk Like Sugar
Christopher Ashley – BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Former Production Fellow
Cynthia Nixon – BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
On The Bum, Or The Next Train Through
Dallas Theater Center – REGIONAL THEATRE TONY AWARD
Dallas premiere productions of Bella: An American Tall Tale, Fly By Night
May 2, 2017
2017 Tony Award Nominations
Congratulations to all the Tony Award nominees! We are so proud of all our friends who’ve received a nomination, and are honored to have worked with these fine artists over the years.
Lucas Hnath (Best Play, A Doll’s House, Part 2)
Lynn Nottage (Best Play, Sweat)
Steven Levenson (Best Book of a Musical, Dear Evan Hansen [also nominated for Best New Musical])
William Finn (Best Musical Revival, Falsettos)
Jefferson Mays (Best Perfance by an Actor, Oslo)
David Hyde Pierce (Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Hello, Dolly!)
Christine Ebersole (Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, War Paint)
Patti LuPone (Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, War Paint)
Jayne Houdyshell (Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, A Doll’s House Part 2)
Cynthia Nixon (Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, The Little Foxes)
Sam Gold (Best Direction of a Play, A Doll’s House Part 2)
Rebecca Taichman (Best Direction of a Play, Indecent)
Bartlett Sher (Best Direction of a Play for Oslo)
Michael Greif (Best Director of a Musical, Dear Evan Hansen)
Christopher Ashley (Best Direction of a Play, Come From Away)
Sam Pinkleton (Best Choreography, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812)
Mimi Lien (Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812)
David Korins (Best Scenic Design of a Musical, War Paint)
Susan Hilferty (Best Costume Design of a Play, Present Laughter)
David Zinn (Best Costume Design of a Play, A Doll’s House Part 2)
Paloma Young (Best Costume Design of a Musical, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812)
Catherine Zuber (Best Costume Design of a Musical, War Paint)
Jane Cox (Best Lighting Design of a Play, Jitney)
Jennifer Tipton (Best Lighting Design of a Play, A Doll’s House Part 2)
Japhy Weideman (Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Dear Evan Hansen)
April 27, 2017
Response to Open Letter from Middle Eastern American Theater Community
We’re proud of our production of Zayd Dohrn’s The Profane, a provocative story that has prompted many discussions by those who’ve seen it. In response to the thoughtful open letter by members of the Middle Eastern American theater community, we gratefully accept the call for explicit action toward greater representation on our stages as well as in our offices. Read our full response to the open letter »
April 27, 2017
2017 Award Season Nominations
DRAMA DESK NOMINATIONS
OUTSTANDING PLAY
A Life, by Adam Bock
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Anne Kauffman, A Life
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
David Hyde Pierce, A Life
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Laura Jellinek, A Life
OUSTANDING SOUND DESIGN IN A PLAY
Mikhail Fiksel, A Life
Jane Shaw, Men on Boats
OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE NOMINATIONS
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
A Life
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
David Hyde Pierce, A Life
JOHN GASSNER AWARD
Jaclyn Backhaus, Men On Boats
DRAMA LEAGUE NOMINATIONS
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
A Life
DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD
David Hyde Pierce, A Life and Hello, Dolly!
LUCILLE LORTEL AWARDS
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR
Anne Kauffman, A Life
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
David Hyde Pierce, A Life
OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN
Laura Jellinek, A Life
OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
Mikhail Fiksel, A Life
January 27, 2017
Kevin Geer (November 7, 1952–January 25, 2017)
 Photo 1) Melinda Wade, Ellen Bethea, and Kevin Geer in The Bodhisattva Locksmith by Lynn Martin, part of the one-act play series Black Ink 2) Kevin Geer, Scott Campbell, and Cynthia Nixon in On The Bum, Or The Next Train Through by Neal Bell. |  |
We are devastated by the untimely passing of our dear friend and colleague, Kevin Geer — a consummate actor's actor and a cherished member of the theater community. We were lucky enough to have worked with him both on Neal Bell's On The Bum, Or The Next Train Through, and Black Ink.
More on Kevin Geer in Playbill »
December 3, 2016
Alice Drummond (May 21, 1928 – November 30, 2016)
Photo of Marvin's Room with Alice Drummond [bottom]
Today we remember and commemorate the dear Off-Broadway veteran Alice Drummond, and her time with us at Playwrights in Scott McPherson's Marvin's Room and Steve Tesich's Art's and Leisure. Thank you, Alice.