Drama League Award

Annual awards for theater in North America

The Drama League Awards, created in 1922, honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing.[1] Each May, the awards are presented by The Drama League at the Annual Awards Luncheon with performers, directors, producers, and Drama League members in attendance. The Drama League membership comprises the entire theater community, including award-winning actors, designers, directors, playwrights, producers, industry veterans, critics and theater-going audiences from across the U.S.[2][3]

The Drama League Awards are the oldest awards honoring theater in North America. The awards were established in 1922, and formalized in 1935.[4][5] Katharine Cornell was the recipient of the first Distinguished Performance Award in 1935.[1] Seven competitive awards are presented: Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, the Distinguished Performance Award,[2] and, as of 2022, Outstanding Direction of a Play and Outstanding Direction of a Musical.[6] The Distinguished Performance Award is presented to one performer every year, and the recipient can only receive the award once in his or her career.[7] The Drama League also bestow three special honors at the awards ceremony: Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater, Unique Contribution to the Theater, and The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.[3][5] The award statues are designed by New York firm Society Awards.[8]

## Categories of awards

[edit]

* Outstanding Production of a Play
* Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Outstanding Direction of a Play (added in 2022)
* Outstanding Direction of a Musical (added in 2022)
* Distinguished Performance

Additionally, an honorary award may be given in the following categories:

* Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

## List of winners

[edit]

The Distinguished Performance Award, originally known as the Delia Austrian Medal, was first presented in 1935, to Katharine Cornell for Romeo and Juliet. The first recipient of the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing was Daniel J. Sullivan in 2000. Actor Yul Brynner was the first recipient of the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award in 1985. The Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award was first bestowed in 1982 to the New York Production of Nicholas Nickelby: Bernard Jacobs, Gerald Schoenfeld, James M. Nederlander, Elizabeth McCann, and Nelle Nugent.[5]

Winners 2024–2025

Source: Vogue.com[9]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Nicole Scherzinger for Sunset Blvd.
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Maybe Happy Ending
Outstanding Production of a Play  | Oh, Mary!
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Sunset Blvd.
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | Eureka Day and Vanya (tie)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical  | Michael Arden for Maybe Happy Ending
Outstanding Direction of a Play  | Sam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary!
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | Lea Salonga
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Kate Navin and Audible Theater
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  |  Whitney White
Gratitude Award  | Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron

Winners 2023–2024

Source: TheaterMania.com[10]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Sarah Paulson for Appropriate
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Hell's Kitchen
Outstanding Production of a Play  | Stereophonic
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Merrily We Roll Along
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | Appropriate
Outstanding Direction of a Musical  | Maria Friedman for Merrily We Roll Along
Outstanding Direction of a Play  | Daniel Aukin for Stereophonic
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | Jonathan Groff
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Jessica Lange
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Schele Williams
Gratitude Award  | Kandi Burruss

Winners 2022–2023

Source: Playbill.com[11]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Annaleigh Ashford for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Some Like It Hot
Outstanding Production of a Play  | Leopoldstadt
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Into the Woods
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | A Doll's House
Outstanding Direction of a Musical  | Lear deBessonet for Into the Woods
Outstanding Direction of a Play  | Anne Kauffman for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | André De Shields
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Drama Book Shop
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Lear deBessonet

Winners 2021–2022

Source: Playbill.com[12]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Sutton Foster for The Music Man
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | A Strange Loop
Outstanding Production of a Play  | The Lehman Trilogy
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Company
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | Take Me Out
Outstanding Direction of a Musical  | Marianne Elliott for Company
Outstanding Direction of a Play  | Kate Whoriskey for Clyde's
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | Hugh Jackman
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Billy Crystal
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Lileana Blain-Cruz

Winners 2019–2020

Source: Playbill.com[13]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Danny Burstein for Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Moulin Rouge!
Outstanding Production of a Play  | The Inheritance
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Little Shop of Horrors
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | A Soldier's Play
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | James Lapine
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Terrence McNally
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Marianne Elliott

Winners 2018–2019

Source: Playbill.com[14]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Bryan Cranston for Network
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | Hadestown
Outstanding Production of a Play  | The Ferryman
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | Kiss Me, Kate
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | The Waverly Gallery
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | Kelli O'Hara
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | Taylor Mac
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Alex Timbers

Winners 2017–2018

Source: Playbill.com[15]

Category  | Winner

|

Distinguished Performance Award  | Glenda Jackson for Three Tall Women
Outstanding Production of a Musical  | The Band's Visit
Outstanding Production of a Play  | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Outstanding Revival of a Musical  | My Fair Lady
Outstanding Revival of a Play  | Angels in America
Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award  | Idina Menzel
Unique Contribution to the Theatre  | National Endowment for the Arts
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing  | Casey Nicholaw

Winners 2016–2017

Source: Playbill.com[16]

* Ben Platt for Dear Evan Hansen – Distinguished Performance Award
* Dear Evan Hansen – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Oslo – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Hello, Dolly! – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Jitney – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Bette Midler – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Bill Berloni – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Michael Greif – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2015–2016

Source: Playbill.com[17]

* Lin-Manuel Miranda for Hamilton – Distinguished Performance Award
* Hamilton – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* The Humans – Outstanding Production of a Play
* The Color Purple – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* A View from the Bridge – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Sheldon Harnick – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Deaf West Theatre – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Ivo van Hove – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2014–2015

Source: Playbill.com[18]

* Chita Rivera for The Visit – Distinguished Performance Award
* An American in Paris – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Outstanding Production of a Play
* The King and I – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* You Can't Take It with You – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Joel Grey – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award
* Neal Shapiro and David Horn – Unique Contribution to the Theater Award
* Stephen Daldry – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2013–2014

Source: Playbill.com[19]

* Neil Patrick Harris for Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Distinguished Performance Award
* A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* All the Way – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* The Glass Menagerie – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Barbara Cook – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Key Brand Entertainment/Broadway Across America: John Gore – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
* John Tiffany – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2012–2013

Source: Playbill.com[20]

* Nathan Lane for The Nance – Distinguished Performance Award
* Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Kinky Boots – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Pippin – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Bernadette Peters – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award (presented by Joel Grey)
* Madison Square Garden Entertainment & the Rockettes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award (Presented by Tommy Tune)
* Jerry Mitchell – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Presented by Cyndi Lauper)

Winners 2011–2012

Source: Playbill.com[21]

* Audra McDonald for Porgy and Bess – Distinguished Performance Award
* Other Desert Cities – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Death of a Salesman – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Once – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Follies – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Alan Menken – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Rosie O'Donnell – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
* Diane Paulus – The Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (formerly the Julia Hansen Award)

Winners 2010–2011

Source: Playbill.com[22]

* Mark Rylance for Jerusalem and La Bête – Distinguished Performance Award
* War Horse – Outstanding Production of a Play
* The Book of Mormon – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* The Normal Heart – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Anything Goes – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Whoopi Goldberg – Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award
* Liza Minnelli – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Susan Stroman – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.

Winners 2009–2010

Source: Playbill.com[23]

* Alfred Molina for Red – Distinguished Performance Award
* Sondheim on Sondheim – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Red – Outstanding Production of a Play
* La Cage aux Folles – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* A View from the Bridge – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Nathan Lane – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Kenny Leon – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
* Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2008–2009

Source:Playbill.com[24]

* Geoffrey Rush for Exit the King – Distinguished Performance Award
* God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Billy Elliot The Musical, Music by Elton John; Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Hair, Music by Galt MacDermot; Book, Lyrics by Gerome Ragni, James Rado – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Elton John – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Arthur Laurents – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
* Angela Lansbury – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Herb Blodgett – The 75th Anniversary Leadership Award

Winners 2007–2008

Source:Variety[25]

* Patti LuPone for Gypsy – Distinguished Performance Award
* August: Osage County by Tracy Letts – Outstanding Production of a Play
* A Catered Affair, Book by Harvey Fierstein; Music and Lyrics by John Bucchino – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Macbeth by William Shakespeare – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* South Pacific, Book by Joshua Logan and Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Paul Gemignani – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award
* Bartlett Sher – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
* Ellen Stewart – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2006–2007

* Liev Schreiber for Talk Radio and Macbeth – Distinguished Performance Award
* The Coast of Utopia – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Spring Awakening – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Journey's End – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Company – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* John Kander and Fred Ebb – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Michael Mayer – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
* Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 2005–2006

* Christine Ebersole for Grey Gardens – Distinguished Performance Award
* The History Boys – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Jersey Boys – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Awake and Sing! – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Sweeney Todd – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Patti LuPone – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Marian Seldes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Des McAnuff\- Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2004–2005

* Norbert Leo Butz for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Distinguished Performance Award
* Doubt – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Twelve Angry Men – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* La Cage aux Folles – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* BMI Musical Theatre Workshop – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* The Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Mike Nichols – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2003–2004

* Hugh Jackman for The Boy from Oz– Distinguished Performance Award
* I Am My Own Wife – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Wicked – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Henry IV – Outstanding Revival of a Play
* Assassins – Outstanding Revival of a Musical
* Donna Murphy – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* City Center Encores – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* George C. Wolfe – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2002–2003

* Harvey Fierstein for Hairspray – Distinguished Performance Award
* Take Me Out – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Hairspray – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* A Day in the Death of Joe Egg – Outstanding Revival
* Twyla Tharp – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Roundabout Theatre Company: Todd Haimes – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Joe Mantello – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2001–2002

* Metamorphoses – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Urinetown – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* The Crucible – Outstanding Revival
* Liam Neeson for The Crucible – Distinguished Performance Award
* Elaine Stritch – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Julia Hansen – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Sir Richard Eyre – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 2000–2001

* Proof – Outstanding Production of a Play
* The Producers – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – Outstanding Revival
* Mary-Louise Parker for Proof and Gary Sinise for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – Distinguished Performance Award
* Susan Stroman – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry, Gary Sinise – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Jack O'Brien – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 1999–2000

* Copenhagen – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Contact – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Kiss Me, Kate – Outstanding Revival
* Eileen Heckart for The Waverly Gallery – Distinguished Performance Award
* Audra McDonald – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Actors Theatre of Louisville: Jon Jory – Unique Contribution to the Theatre
* Daniel Sullivan – Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Winners 1998–1999

* Wit – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Fosse – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Death of a Salesman – Outstanding Revival
* Kathleen Chalfant for Wit – Distinguished Performance Award
* Ann Reinking and Gwen Verdon – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Sir David Hare – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1997–1998

* The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Ragtime – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Cabaret – Outstanding Revival
* Brian Stokes Mitchell for Ragtime – Distinguished Performance Award
* Julie Taymor – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* The Brooklyn Academy of Music: Harvey Lichtenstein – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1996–1997

* The Last Night of Ballyhoo – Outstanding Production of a Play
* The Life – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Chicago – Outstanding Revival
* Charles Durning for The Gin Game and Bebe Neuwirth for Chicago – Distinguished Performance Award
* Gerard Alessandrini – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* Jason Robards – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners 1995–1996

* Seven Guitars – Outstanding Production of a Play
* Rent – Outstanding Production of a Musical
* A Delicate Balance – Outstanding Revival
* Uta Hagen for Mrs. Klein – Distinguished Performance Award
* George C. Wolfe – Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre
* The 42nd Street Development Project, The New 42nd Street, The Walt Disney Company, Livent – Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Winners history

List of winners, 1935 through 2014.[5]

## See also

[edit]

* Tony Award
* Drama Desk Awards
* Obie Award
* New York Drama Critics Award
* Outer Critics Circle Awards

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Winners of Drama League Awards Announced". Playbill. May 20, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
2. ^ a b "Special Awards Recipients Announced". The Drama League. March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
3. ^ a b "Drama League Awards". The Drama League. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
4. ^ "Ben Platt, Sutton Foster, and Josh Groban Among 2017 Drama League Award Nominees". Playbill. April 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
5. ^ a b c d "Award History". The Drama League. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
6. ^ "Nominations Announced for 88th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
7. ^ "Ben Platt, Sutton Foster, and Josh Groban Among 2017 Drama League Award Nominees". Playbill. April 19, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
8. ^ "Cook, Davis, Hayes, Schreiber and Walken Will Be Presenters at Drama League Awards". Playbill. May 11, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
9. ^ "All the Winners at the 2025 Drama League Awards". vogue.com. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
10. ^ "Sarah Paulson, Hell's Kitchen Win Drama League Awards". theatermania.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
11. ^ "Some Like It Hot, Annaleigh Ashford, Leopoldstadt, More Win 2023 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
12. ^ "The Lehman Trilogy, A Strange Loop, Sutton Foster, More Are Winners of 88th Annual Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
13. ^ "Moulin Rouge! and Danny Burstein Among 2020 Drama League Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
14. ^ "Network's Bryan Cranston, Hadestown Among 2019 Drama League Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
15. ^ "Glenda Jackson, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Among 2018 Drama League Award Winners | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
16. ^ "Dear Evan Hansen's Ben Platt, Hello, Dolly! and More Are Winners of Drama League Awards | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
17. ^ Gans, Andrew."Winners of Drama League Awards Announced" playbill.com, May 20, 2016
18. ^ Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert. " 'An American in Paris', 'Curious Incident' and Chita Rivera Win Drama League Awards" Archived May 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, May 15, 2015
19. ^ Gans, Andrew. "80th Annual Drama League Award Winners Announced; Neil Patrick Harris Wins Distinguished Performance Honor" Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 16, 2014
20. ^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Kinky Boots', 'Pippin', 'Vanya and Sonia', 'Virginia 'Woolf? and More Win Drama League Awards" Archived 2013-06-15 at archive.today playbill.com, May 17, 2013
21. ^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Other Desert Cities', 'Salesman', 'Follies', 'Once', Audra McDonald Are Drama League Winners" Archived 2012-05-20 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 18, 2012
22. ^ Gans, Andrew. " 'Mormon', 'War Horse', 'Normal Heart', 'Anything Goes', Mark Rylance Win Drama League Awards" Archived September 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 20, 2011
23. ^ Gans, Andrew."Sondheim, 'Red', 'Bridge', 'La Cage' and Molina Win Drama League Awards" Archived 2010-07-26 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, May 21, 2010
24. ^ Gans, Andrew.Billy, Carnage, Hair, Blithe and Rush Win Drama League Awards" Archived May 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, May 15, 2009
25. ^ Cox, Gordon. " 'Catered Affair' nabs League honor" Variety, May 16, 2008

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Drama League Awards.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Drama League Distinguished Performance Award

* Katharine Cornell (1935)
* Helen Hayes (1936)
* Maurice Evans (1937)
* Cedric Hardwicke (1938)
* Raymond Massey (1939)
* Paul Muni (1940)
* Paul Lukas (1941)
* Judith Evelyn (1942)
* Alfred Lunt (1943)
* Lynn Fontanne (1944)
* Mady Christians (1945)
* Louis Calhern (1946)
* Ingrid Bergman (1947)
* Judith Anderson (1948)
* Robert Morley (1949)
* Grace George (1950)
* Claude Rains (1951)
* Julie Harris (1952)
* Shirley Booth (1953)
* Josephine Hull (1954)
* Viveca Lindfors (1955)
* David Wayne (1956)
* Eli Wallach (1957)
* Ralph Bellamy (1958)
* Cyril Ritchard (1959)
* Jessica Tandy (1960)
* Hume Cronyn (1961)
* Paul Scofield (1962)
* Charles Boyer (1963)
* Alec Guinness (1964)
* John Gielgud (1965)
* Richard Kiley (1966)
* Rosemary Harris (1967)
* Zoe Caldwell (1968)
* Alec McCowen (1969)
* James Stewart (1970)
* Anthony Quayle (1971)
* Eileen Atkins / Claire Bloom (1972)
* Alan Bates (1973)
* Christopher Plummer (1974)
* John Wood (1975)
* Eva Le Gallienne (1976)
* Tom Courtenay (1977)
* Frank Langella (1978)
* Frances Sternhagen (1979)
* Roy Scheider (1980)
* Ian McKellen (1981)
* Milo O'Shea (1982)
* Edward Herrmann / Kate Nelligan (1983)
* Jeremy Irons (1984)
* Derek Jacobi (1985)
* Bernadette Peters (1986)
* James Earl Jones (1987)
* John Lithgow (1988)
* Pauline Collins (1989)
* Robert Morse (1990)
* Stockard Channing (1991)
* Glenn Close (1992)
* Stephen Rea (1993)
* Sam Waterston (1994)
* Cherry Jones (1995)
* Uta Hagen (1996)
* Charles Durning / Bebe Neuwirth (1997)
* Brian Stokes Mitchell (1998)
* Kathleen Chalfant (1999)
* Eileen Heckart (2000)
* Mary-Louise Parker / Gary Sinise (2001)
* Liam Neeson (2002)
* Harvey Fierstein (2003)
* Hugh Jackman (2004)
* Norbert Leo Butz (2005)
* Christine Ebersole (2006)
* Liev Schreiber (2007)
* Patti LuPone (2008)
* Geoffrey Rush (2009)
* Alfred Molina (2010)
* Mark Rylance (2011)
* Audra McDonald (2012)
* Nathan Lane (2013)
* Neil Patrick Harris (2014)
* Chita Rivera (2015)
* Lin-Manuel Miranda (2016)
* Ben Platt (2017)
* Glenda Jackson (2018)
* Bryan Cranston (2019)
* Danny Burstein (2020)
* Sutton Foster (2022)
* Annaleigh Ashford (2023)
* Sarah Paulson (2024)
* Nicole Scherzinger (2025)

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