2025 Drama Desk Awards Nominations Unveiled in New York City

NEW YORK CITY – The nominations for the 69th annual Drama Desk Awards were announced on April 30, 2025, featuring a diverse lineup of productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway venues. Two-time Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis led the announcement on Spectrum News NY1.

This year, the awards recognize quality in theater with productions that opened between April 26, 2024, and April 27, 2025. Highlights from the nominees include ‘Blood of the Lamb‘ by Arlene Hutton and ‘Liberation‘ by Bess Wohl. The awards aim to honor both new and groundbreaking performances across varying theatrical scales.

Lewis, best known for his Tony Award-nominated role in the ‘Porgy and Bess’ revival, remarked, “This season brought out extraordinary talent and stories central to our times.” The voting body of the Drama Desk, an assembly of critics and journalists, evaluates productions fairly, ensuring an impartial selection process, noted co-presidents David Barbour and Charles Wright.

The 2025 ceremony will take place at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on June 1, 2025, hosted by Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess. This year, for the first time, net proceeds from the awards will benefit the Entertainment Community Fund, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of New York theatres.

For the Outstanding Musical category, ‘BOOP! The Musical‘ led with 11 nominations, while ‘Just in Time’ and ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ received nine nominations each. Producers and creative teams from several notable productions, such as ‘Floyd Collins‘ and ‘Pirates! The Penzance Musical,’ are also recognized for their compelling contributions to the season.