Drama Desk Awards: Orchestrations reinstated

Last week the Drama Desk announced its nominees for the 2011-2012 season celebrating the best of On, Off and Off-Off Broadway. Absent from this year's list was a category honoring the "Outstanding Orchestrations."

Following an outcry from the theatre community, that was led by Composer Jason Robert Brown who blogged, "Every New York theatre musician I know is offended and confused by the decision of this year's Drama Desk Nominating Committee. I'll tell you one thing: it certainly wasn't for lack of competition. There was some extraordinary work this year from some fantastic arrangers, some of whom have been recognized repeatedly in the past for their consistently glorious work, and some of whom (like Once's amazing Martin Lowe and Nice Work If You Can Get It swingmonster Bill Elliott) are much less familiar to New York audiences and totally thrilling."

A petition calling for the the reinstating of the category was also begain on Change.org, which received the support of composers, such as Stephen Oremus and Alex Lacamoire.

Isa Goldberg, Drama Desk President said, "The Drama Desk prides itself on celebrating New York's rich theatrical community. Our Executive Board appreciates the forthright and passionate response to our nominations announcement and have taken your comments to heart. The Executive Board is very happy to reinstate the Outstanding Orchestrations category and honor the dedication and hard work of this season's talented orchestrators."

Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee commented, "The Drama Desk Nominating Committee members have worked tirelessly to create a list of nominees that incorporate the very best of New York's theatrical community. We are very proud to include the nominations for Outstanding Orchestrations."

The Nominating Committee reassembled over the weekend to select this year's most Outstanding Orchestrations.

This year's nominees for Outstanding Orchestrations are:

Bill Elliott: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Larry Hochman: Death Takes a Holiday
Martin Lowe: Once
John McDaniel: Bonnie & Clyde
Michael Starobin: Queen of the Mist
Danny Troob: Newsies

The full list of nominations were announced on 27 Apr 2012.