The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee of New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors. It honors the Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, or legitimate not-for-profit theater revival of a production previously staged in New York City.
It was not until the 22nd Annual Drama Desk Awards in 1988 that a specific category for Outstanding Revival was created. The first recipient was The Royal Family, a play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber that originally was staged in 1937. The award was not presented again until 1982. In 1993, the category was divided to give separate awards for plays and musicals.
Winners and nominees Key
1970s Year Work Author(s) Producer(s) Ref. 1976The Royal FamilyGeorge S. Kaufman and Edna FerberBarry M. Brown, Burry Fredrik, Fritz Holt and Sally SearsWhat Every Woman KnowsJ. M. BarrieRoundabout Theater CompanyA Memory of Two Mondays / 27 Wagons Full of CottonArthur Miller / Tennessee WilliamsThe Phoenix TheatreThey Knew What They WantedSidney Howard Trelawny of the 'Wells'Arthur Wing PineroThe New York Shakespeare FestivalVery Good EddieJerome Kern, Schuyler Greene, Philip Bartholomae and Guy BoltonDavid Merrick, Max Brown and Byron GoldmanWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Edward AlbeeKen Marsolais and James Scott Productions, Inc.1977 - 1979No award given.
1980s Year Work Author(s) Producer(s) Ref. 1981No award given.1982Entertaining Mr. SloaneJoe OrtonCherry Lane TheatreThe Chalk GardenEnid BagnoldRoundabout Theatre CompanyMisallianceGeorge Bernard Shaw1983On Your ToesRichard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and George AbbottAlfred De Liagre, Jr., Roger L. Stevens, John Mauceri, Donald R. Seawell and André PastoriaThe Cradle Will RockMarc BlitzsteinThe Acting CompanyAll's Well That Ends WellWilliam ShakespeareThe Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Nelle Nugent, ABC Video Enterprises, Inc., Roger Berlind, Rhoda R. Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, MGM / UA Home Entertainment Group, Inc. and Mutual Benefit ProductionsPresent LaughterNoël CowardCircle in the SquareThe Caine Mutiny Court-MartialHerman WoukCircle in the Square and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts1984Death of a SalesmanArthur MillerRobert Whitehead and Roger L. StevensThe PhilanthropistChristopher HamptonManhattan Theatre ClubSerenading LouieLanford WilsonThe Public TheaterHeartbreak HouseBernard ShawCircle in the Square1985A Day in the Death of Joe EggPeter NicholsThe Shubert Organization, Emanuel Azenberg, Roger Berlind and Ivan BlochOn ApprovalFrederick LonsdaleAmerican Jewish TheatreBalm in GileadLanford WilsonCircle Repertory Company and Steppenwolf TheatrePacific OverturesStephen Sondheim and John WeidmanElizabeth Ireland McCann and Nelle NugentAren't We All?Frederick LonsdaleDouglas Urbanski, Karl Allison, Bryan Bantry and James M. Nederlander1986The House of Blue LeavesJohn GuareLincoln Center TheaterLemon SkyLanford WilsonSecond Stage TheatreLong Day's Journey Into NightEugene O'NeillEmanuel Azenberg, The Shubert Organization, Roger Peters, Roger Berlind and PACE Theatrical Group, Inc.LootJoe OrtonManhattan Theatre ClubThe Iceman ComethEugene O'NeillLewis Allen, James M. Nederlander, Stephen Graham and Ben Edwards1987Anything GoesCole Porter, Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse, John Weidman and Timothy CrouseLincoln Center TheaterFlora the Red MenaceJohn Kander, Fred Ebb, George Abbott, Robert Russell and David ThompsonVineyard TheatreLost in the StarsMaxwell Anderson and Kurt WeillYork Theatre CompanyDreamgirlsHenry Krieger and Tom EyenMarvin A. Krauss and Irving SidersCabaretJohn Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe MasteroffBarry & Fran Weissler1988Our TownThornton WilderLincoln Center TheaterLong Day's Journey Into NightEugene O'NeillKen Marsolais, Alexander H. Cohen, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Yale Repertory TheatreJuno and the PaycockSeán O'CaseyCircle in the SquareSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetStephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler1989No award given.
1990s Year Work Author(s) Producer(s) Ref. 1990GypsyJule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents/Barry & Fran Weissler, Kathy Levin and Barry BrownThe Sound of MusicRichard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein IILincoln Center TheaterCat on a Hot Tin RoofTennessee WilliamsBarry & Fran WeisslerThe Merchant of VeniceWilliam ShakespeareDuncan C. Weldon and Jerome Minskoff1991A Little Night MusicStephen Sondheim and Hugh WheelerLincoln Center TheaterCamilleAlexandre Dumas filsRidiculous Theatrical CompanyHamletWilliam ShakespeareRoundabout Theatre CompanyMachinalSophie TreadwellNew York Shakespeare Festival and The Public Theater1992Guys and DollsFrank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe BurrowsDodger Productions, Roger Berlind, Jujamcyn TheatersThe Most Happy FellaFrank LoesserThe Goodspeed Opera House, Center Theatre Group, Lincoln Center Theater, The Shubert Organization, Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. and Stagevision'Tis Pity She's a WhoreJohn FordThe Public TheaterFalsettosWilliam Finn and James LapineBarry & Fran Weissler
Producers with multiple wins 4 wins Lincoln Center Theater
2 wins Roger Berlind
Producers with multiple nominations 6 nominations Lincoln Center Theater
5 nominations Circle in the Square
4 nominations Roundabout Theatre Company The Shubert Organization Roger Berlind Barry & Fran Weissler
2 nominations The New York Shakespeare Festival Jujamcyn Theaters John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Manhattan Theatre Club Ken Marsolais Roger L. Stevens Elizabeth Ireland McCann Nelle Nugent Emanuel Azenberg James M. Nederlander
Titles with multiple nominations 2 nominations Long Day's Journey into Night
Authors with multiple wins 2 wins Stephen Sondheim
Authors with multiple nominations 4 nominations Stephen Sondheim
3 nominations William Shakespeare Lanford Wilson Eugene O'Neill The Public Theater
2 nominations Arthur Miller Tennessee Williams Guy Bolton Joe Orton Richard Rodgers George Abbott Frederick Lonsdale John Weidman John Kander Fred Ebb Hugh Wheeler Frank Loesser
References