The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Artistic Dir; Bevin Ross, Executive Dir) has announced the 2023 Special Recognition Honorees of The 89th Annual Drama League Awards, recognized for their unique and outstanding contributions to the theater industry. Andre De Shields will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award, for his outstanding work on stage as part of the musical theater community. The Drama Book Shop (Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller, and James L Nederlander) will be honored with the Contribution to the Theater Award, for its unwavering commitment to furthering the art of the American theater, through the stewardship of a vital, century-long creative home for artists to thrive. Encores! Artistic Director and Public Works founder Lear deBessonet will be honored with the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, for her incredible contributions to the field of directing. The annual Gratitude Award will be presented to JP Morgan Chase CCO Darin Oduyoye, in recognition of his leadership and commitment to the theater industry, through the support of many productions and his work on the board of Beyond the Stage Door. These awards will be presented at the annual luncheon ceremony at The Ziegfeld Ballroom (141 W 54th St) on Friday, May 19 at 12:00 PM. The event will be hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. The 2023 Awards Committee includes: Bonnie Comley, Awards Chair; Townsend Teague, Committee Chair; Donna Daniels; Jonathan Deman; Irene Gandy; Sarah Hutton; Kenneth Hyne; Una Jackman; Mary Jain; Paula Kaminsky Davis; Fred Siegel; and Kumiko Yoshii. Nominations for the 2022-23 Broadway and Off-Broadway season will be announced on Tues April 25 at 11:00 AM, at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (111 Amsterdam Ave.) Broadway and Off-Broadway productions will need to have been in previews between April 21, 2022 – April 23, 2023, to be eligible for this season’s Drama League Awards. More information on sponsoring the event can be found at dramaleague.org/awards. Press contact: Vivacity Media Group (212/812-1483)...