Presenters for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards on Sunday, May 18, 2008, were named today by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the annual awards ceremony since 1999, and William Wolf, president of the organization of professional writers, critics and editors who cover all areas of the New York theater scene.
Presenters include (in alphabetical order): Jane Alexander, Elizabeth Ashley, Laura Benanti, Michael Berresse, John Cullum, Jim Dale, Harvey Fierstein, Laurence Fishburne, Leigh Ann Larkin, Patti LuPone, Andrea Martin, Bill Pullman, Marisa Tomei and Julie White.
The 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. The Awards Ceremony will be hosted by the cast of the Broadway-bound musical [title of show] – Susan Blackwell, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff and Larry Pressgrove.
Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 53d Annual Drama Desk Awards and Blume Media Group is the producing company. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director. Roy A. Somlyo is Consulting Producer.
The Awards production team also includes: Associate Producers (in alphabetical order) Margot Astrachan, Corine Dana Cohen, Matthew P. Donoghue, Jacki Barlia Florin, Steve Garrin and Les Schecter, who is also Director of Publicity and Promotions; Elias EL-Hage, General Manager; and Felicia M. Lopes, National Development Director.
For the Drama Desk organization, Randie Levine-Miller is Special Events Director and Producer of the Drama Desk nominations at the NY Friars Club, and Ellis Nassour is Media Liaison.
The Board of Directors of the Drama Desk is composed of: William Wolf, President; Leslie (Hoban) Blake, Vice President; Charles Wright, Treasurer and 2nd Vice President; Joyce Hauser, Secretary; Ellis Nassour; Michael Bracken; David Kaufman; Sam Norkin; Barbara Siegel, and Elyse Sommer.
