NY Drama Critics’ Circle Awards

The New York Drama Critics' Circle met on 30 Apr 2010, to determine the winners of its annual awards. The results were as follows:

• Best Play: The Orphans' Home Cycle, by Horton Foote
• Special Citation: The Lincoln Center Festival for visionary international programming
• Special Citation: Viola Davis for sustained achievement
• Emerging Talent Special Citation: Annie Baker for Circle Mirror Transformation and The Aliens

The Circle then moved to the award for Best Foreign Play. Several major contenders split the first ballot. After narrowly agreeing to move to a third ballot, the Circle proved unable to reach a consensus, with 'Les Éphémères' receiving 17 points, followed by 'The Pride' and 'When the Rain Stops Falling' with 14 apiece—all well short of the 25-point threshold. According, the Circle decided not to give a Best Foreign Play award.

No musical attained a majority of votes on the first ballot for Best Musical; 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' led the pack with votes. On the third ballot, 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' still led with 21 points, followed closely by 'The Scottsboro Boys' with 20. With neither show able to crack the minimum required level of 25 points, the Circle opted not to give an award.

After lively discussion of many candidates, the Circle decided to give three Special Citations: to the Lincoln Center Festival for its programming, which in this season notably included 'Les Éphémères' and 'Kalkwerk'; to Viola Davis, currently starring in 'Fences,' for sustained achievement; and the Circle's first Emerging Talent Special Citation to playwright Annie Baker, whose 'Circle Mirror Transformation' and 'The Aliens' were both produced this season.

The awards will be presented at a private ceremony at the Algonquin Hotel on 10 May 2010.