‘Stereophonic’, ‘Dead Outlaw’ Take Top New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards
14.05.2024 - 01:39
/ deadline.com
David Adjmi’s Stereophonic was named Best Play of the year by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle today, with the Best Musical Award going to the Off Broadway production of Dead Outlaw from the team behind The Band’s Visit.
Stereophonic, currently on Broadway, has received 13 Tony Award nominations, and includes songs written by Will Butler from the indie rock band Arcade Fire. The play tells the story of a fractious 1970s Fleetwood Mac-like rock band recording what will be a massive Rumours-like hit record.
Dead Outlaw, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna and a book by Itamar Moses, is inspired by the life of Elmer McCurdy. The musical, which premiered this year at the Minetta Lane Theatre, was originally conceived by Yazbek and tells the story of an outlaw from the early 20th Century whose corpse became a traveling sideshow exhibit for decades. Long thought to be a Western-themed mannequin at a Southern California amusement park, the body was determined to be the real thing when a crew from The Six Million Dollar Man came to shoot an episode at the park.
Although a Broadway run for Dead Outlaw has not been announced, the prospect grows stronger with every award.
Two joint special citations were awarded: One to the revivals of Merrily We Roll Along and Purlie Victorious, and a second to actors Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders for lifetime achievement; Plunkett has appeared this season in The Notebook and Deep Blue Sound, and Sanders in Primary Trust and Purlie Victorious. A third special citation was awarded to writer-composer Heather Christian, whose Terce: A Practical Breviary premiered this season.
The awards, which will be presented during a private ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, include a