'Memphis' wins 4 prizes at NY Drama Desk Awards

Rhythm 'n' blues were the winners at this year's Drama Desk Awards.

The exuberant musical "Memphis" led the list of winners at Sunday's ceremony held by the Drama Desk, an organization of theater journalists and critics.

The new musical set in 1950s Memphis dance clubs picked up four prizes including best musical, orchestration, and music, which went to Bon Jovi keyboard player David Bryan. "Memphis" actress Montego Glover tied with Catherine Zeta Jones in "A Little Night Music" for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. Glover plays a black club singer who falls in love with a white DJ.

"Memphis" is also nominated for eight Tony Awards, which will be presented next month.

About 45 minutes into the ceremony, Robert R. Blume, executive producer of the Drama Desk Awards, paid tribute to actress Lynn Redgrave and Associated Press drama critic Michael Kuchwara.

"It's been a sad moment for the New York theater world and the Drama Desk," he said, noting the deaths of Redgrave this month and Kuchwara on Saturday. "She was a close personal friend and a strong supporter of theater and the Drama Desk, one of the great ladies of the theater."

He called Kuchwara's death "a great loss not only to New York theater but to theater lovers all over the world because his critiques reached millions of people worldwide."

"Red," a drama about the tortured Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko, garnered best play by the Drama Desk. "Red" also won top honors for director, Michael Grandage, and lighting design.

Liev Schreiber, who portrays Brooklyn longshoreman Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge," was named best actor-play, while Jan Maxwell, in the Broadway comedy "The Royal Family," was picked as best actress.

"A View from the Bridge" and August Wilson's "Fences" tied for best revival of a play while "La Cage Aux Folles" won for best revival of a musical, best actor in a musical, Douglas Hodge, and best costume design.

Other acting prizes went to Santino Fontana in "Brighton Beach Memoirs," Viola Davis in "Fences," Christopher Fitzgerald in "Finian's Rainbow," and Katie Finneran in the musical "Promises, Promises."

Twyla Tharp received top choreography honors for "Come Fly Away," John Kander and Fred Ebb garnered best lyricist prize for "The Scottsboro Boys," and saxophonist Branford Marsalis won for best music in a play.

"Sondheim on Sondheim" won best musical review.

The Drama Desk, which was founded in 1949, honors both Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

The awards show, hosted by Patti LuPone, took place at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center.