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Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

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Drama Desk Award
for Outstanding Featured Actress
Awarded forOutstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byDrama Desk
First awarded1975
Last awarded2022
Websitedramadesk.org (defunct)

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical was an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. The award was one of eight new acting awards first presented in 1975, when Drama Desk retired an earlier award that had made no distinction between work in plays and musicals, nor between actors and actresses, nor between lead performers and featured performers.

After the 2022 ceremony, all eight acting categories introduced in 1975 were retired. The award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, along with Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, were replaced in 2023 with the gender neutral category of Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical.

1970s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
1975
Donna Theodore Shenandoah Ann Anderson
Boni Enten The Rocky Horror Show Columbia
Kelly Garrett The Night That Made America Famous Various Characters
Mabel King The Wiz Evillene
Bonnie Langford Gypsy Baby June
Penelope Milford Shenandoah Jenny Anderson
1976
Vivian Reed Bubbling Brown Sugar Marsha / Young Irene
Travis Hudson Very Good Eddie Madame Matroppo
Mary Lou Rosato The Robber Bridegroom Salome
1977
Dorothy Loudon Annie Miss Hannigan
Delores Ivory Davis Porgy and Bess Serena
Ernestine Jackson Guys and Dolls Sarah Brown
Barbara Lang The Robber Bridegroom Salome
Rita Moreno She Loves Me Ilona Ritter
1978
Swoosie Kurtz A History of the American Film Bette
Bobo Lewis Working Rose / Grace / Fran / Lucille
Pamela Blair The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Amber
Lenora Nemetz Working Babe / Terry / Delores
1979
Merle Louise Sweeney Todd Lucy Barker / The Beggar Woman
Patricia Drylie Ballroom Angie
Lynnie Godfrey Eubie! Various Characters
Grace Keagy Carmelina Rosa
Lisa Mordente Platinum Crystal Mason

1980s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
1980
Debbie Allen West Side Story Anita
Peggy Hewett A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine Mrs. Pavlenko
Carolyn Mignini Tintypes Performer
Janie Sell God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Sylvia Rosewater
Crissy Wilzak The 1940's Radio Hour Ginger Brooks
Mary Catherine Wright Tintypes Performer
1981
Marilyn Cooper Woman of the Year Jan Donovan
Jennifer Holliday Your Arms Too Short to Box with God Performer
Debbie Shapiro Perfectly Frank Performer
1982
Liliane Montevecchi Nine Liliane La Fleur
Anita Morris Carla Albanese
Laurie Beechman Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Narrator
Shelly Burch Nine Claudia
Lonette McKee The First Rachel
1983
Karla Burns Show Boat Queenie
Rebecca Wright Merlin Philomena
Michele-Denise Woods The Cradle Will Rock Ella Hammer
1984
Catherine Cox Baby Pam Sakarian
Lila Kedrova Zorba Madame Hortense
Laura Dean Doonesbury Boopsie
Bonnie Koloc The Human Comedy Kate
Marni Nixon Taking My Turn Edna
1985
Leilani Jones Grind Satin
Sharon Murray Grind Romaine
Marianne Tatum The Three Musketeers Milady de Winter
Charlayne Woodard Hang on to the Good Times Performer
1986
Jana Schneider The Mystery of Edwin Drood Helena Landless / Janet Conover
Desiree Colman Big Deal Phoebe
Faye Grant Singin' in the Rain Lina
Kathryn McAteer Mayor Performer
Bebe Neuwirth Sweet Charity Nickie
1987
Jane Summerhays Me and My Girl Jaqueline 'Jackie' Carstone
Michele Bautier Stardust Performer
Sandra Chinn Funny Feet Various Characters
Judy Kuhn Rags Bella Cohen
Les Misérables Cosette
Marcia Lewis Rags Rachel Halpern
1988
Joanna Gleason Into the Woods The Baker's Wife
Danielle Ferland Into the Woods Little Red Ridinghood
Lyn Greene Flora the Red Menace Comrade Charlotte
Judy Kaye The Phantom of the Opera Carlotta
1989

1990s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
1990
Randy Graff City of Angels Oolie / Donna
Danielle Du Clos Aspects of Love Jenny Dillingham
Jane Krakowski Grand Hotel Freida Flamm / Flaemmchen
Crista Moore Gypsy Louise
1991
Karen Ziemba And the World Goes 'Round Various Characters
Alison Fraser The Secret Garden Martha Sowerby
Rebecca Luker The Secret Garden Lily
Regina Resnik A Little Night Music Madame Armfeldt
1992
Tonya Pinkins Jelly's Last Jam Anita
Liz Larsen The Most Happy Fella Cleo
Michele Pawk Crazy for You Irene Roth
Barbara Walsh Falsettos Trina
1993
Andrea Martin My Favorite Year Alice Miller
Julie Andrews Putting It Together Amy
Tovah Feldshuh Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah! Various Characters
Karen Mason Carnival! Rosalie
Rachel York Putting It Together The Younger Woman
1994
Audra McDonald Carousel Carrie Pipperidge
Judy Blazer Hello Again The Nurse
Sally Mayes She Loves Me Ilona Ritter
Donna Murphy Hello Again The Whore
Alene Robertson Annie Warbucks Commissioner Harriet Doyle
1996
Rachel York Victor/Victoria Norma Cassidy
Veanne Cox Company Amy
Kathy Fitzgerald Swinging on a Star Various Characters
Donna McKechnie State Fair Emily Arden
Christine Pedi Forbidden Hollywood Various Characters
1997
Lillias White The Life Sonja
Marcia Lewis Chicago Matron "Mama" Morton
Andrea Martin Candide Old Lady
Debra Monk Steel Pier Shelby Stevens
Jennifer Simard I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change Woman #1
Ruth Williamson The Green Heart Mrs. Tragger
1998
Tsidii Le Loka The Lion King Rafiki
Betty Buckley Triumph of Love Hesione
Lea DeLaria On the Town Hildy Esterhazy
Anna Kendrick High Society Dinah Lord
Ednita Nazario The Capeman Esmeralda Agrón
Michele Pawk Cabaret Fraulein Kost
1999
Kristin Chenoweth You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Sally Brown
Gretha Boston It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues Various Characters
Cheryl Freeman The Civil War Bessie Toler
Penny Fuller A New Brain Mimi Schwinn
Jane Lanier Fosse Various Characters
Eloise Laws It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues Various Characters

2000s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
2000
Karen Ziemba Contact Wife
Nancy Anderson Jolson and Co. Mae West
Sally Ann Howes James Joyce's The Dead Aunt Julia Morkan
Eartha Kitt The Wild Party Dolores
Alix Korey The Wild Party Madelaine True
Idina Menzel Kate
2001
Cady Huffman The Producers Ulla Swanson
Polly Bergen Follies Carlotta Campion
Kathleen Freeman The Full Monty Jeanette Burmeister
Randy Graff A Class Act Sophie
Spencer Kayden Urinetown Little Sally
Janine LaManna Seussical Gertrude McFuzz
2002
Harriet Harris Thoroughly Modern Millie Mrs. Meers
Liz Callaway The Spitfire Grill Shelby
Judy Kaye Mamma Mia! Rosie Mulligan
Andrea Martin Oklahoma! Aunt Eller
Karen Mason Mamma Mia! Tanya Chesham-Leigh
Kerry O'Malley Into the Woods The Baker's Wife
2003
Jane Krakowski Nine Carla Albanese
Kerry Butler Hairspray Penny Pingleton
Mary Stuart Masterson Nine Luisa Contini
Sally Mayes Urban Cowboy Aunt Corene
Chita Rivera Nine Lillane La Fleur
Debra Walton Cookin' at the Cookery Young Alberta Hunter
2004
Isabel Keating The Boy from Oz Judy Garland
Lovette George The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) Various Characters
Alix Korey Listen to My Heart Various Characters
Anika Noni Rose Caroline, or Change Emmie Thibodeaux
Jennifer Simard The Thing About Men Woman
Mary Testa First Lady Suite Lorena Hickock
2005
Jan Maxwell Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Baroness Bomburst
Joanna Gleason Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Muriel
Kecia Lewis Dessa Rose Dorcas
Maureen McGovern Little Women Marmee
Jennifer Simard Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit Various Characters
Sarah Uriarte Berry The Light in the Piazza Franca Naccarelli
2006
Beth Leavel The Drowsy Chaperone Beatrice Stockwell
Carolee Carmello Lestat Gabrielle
Leslie Kritzer The Great American Trailer Park Musical Pickles
Amy Spanger The Wedding Singer Holly
Mary Testa See What I Wanna See Aunt Monica
Mary Louise Wilson Grey Gardens Edith Bouvier Beale
2007
Debra Monk Curtains Carmen Bernstein
Linda Balgord The Pirate Queen Queen Elizabeth I
Celia Keenan-Bolger Les Misérables Éponine
Orfeh Legally Blonde Paulette
Barbara Walsh Company Joanne
Karen Ziemba Curtains Georgia Hendricks
2008
Laura Benanti Gypsy Louise
Leslie Kritzer A Catered Affair Jane Hurley
Andrea Martin Young Frankenstein Frau Blucher
Mary Testa Xanadu Melpomene / Medusa
Amy Warren Adding Machine Daisy Devore
Mare Winningham 10 Million Miles Various Characters
2009
Haydn Gwynne Billy Elliot the Musical Mrs. Wilkinson
Farah Alvin The Marvelous Wonderettes Missy
Christina Bianco Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab Various Characters
Karen Olivo West Side Story Anita
Nancy Opel The Toxic Avenger Mayor
Martha Plimpton Pal Joey Gladys Bumps

2010s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
2010
Katie Finneran Promises, Promises Marge MacDougall
Carolee Carmello The Addams Family Alice Beineke
Carrie Cimma Lizzie Borden Bridget Sullivan
Angela Lansbury A Little Night Music Madame Armfeldt
Kenita R. Miller Langston in Harlem Zora Neale Hurston
Terri White Finian's Rainbow Dottie
2011
Laura Benanti Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Candela
Kerry Butler Catch Me If You Can Brenda Strong
Victoria Clark Sister Act Mother Superior
Jill Eikenberry The Kid Judith Savage
Nikki M. James The Book of Mormon Nabalungi Hatimbi
Patti LuPone Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Lucia
Laura Osnes Anything Goes Hope Harcourt
2012
Judy Kaye Nice Work If You Can Get It Estonia Dulworth
Marin Mazzie Carrie Margaret White
Jessie Mueller On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Melinda Wells
Elaine Paige Follies Carlotta Campion
Sarah Sokolovic The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World Betty Wiggin
Melissa van der Schyff Bonnie & Clyde Blanche Barrow
2013
Andrea Martin Pippin Berthe
Annaleigh Ashford Kinky Boots Lauren
Melissa Errico Passion Clara
Jessie Mueller The Mystery of Edwin Drood Helena Landless / Miss Janet Conover
Christiane Noll Chaplin: The Musical Hannah Chaplin
Keala Settle Hands on a Hardbody Norma Valverde
Kate Wetherhead The Other Josh Cohen Various Characters
2014
Anika Larsen Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Cynthia Weil
Lauren Worsham A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Phoebe D'Ysquith
Stephanie J. Block Little Miss Sunshine Sheryl Hoover
Adriane Lenox After Midnight Various Characters
Sydney Lucas Fun Home Small Alison Bechdel
Laura Osnes The Threepenny Opera Polly Peachum
Jennifer Simard Disaster! Sister Mary Downy
2015
Renée Elise Goldsberry Hamilton Angelica Schuyler
Carolee Carmello Finding Neverland Emma Wightwick du Maurier
Tyne Daly It Shoulda Been You Judy Steinberg
Elizabeth A. Davis Allegro Jenny Brinker
Luba Mason Pretty Filthy Georgina Congress
Nancy Opel Honeymoon in Vegas Bea Singer
Elizabeth Stanley On the Town Claire De Loone
2016
Jane Krakowski She Loves Me Ilona Ritter
Danielle Brooks The Color Purple Sofia Johnson
Alison Fraser First Daughter Suite Betty Ford / Nancy Reagan
Rachel Bay Jones Dear Evan Hansen Heidi Hansen
Mary Testa First Daughter Suite Barbara Bush
2017
Jenn Colella Come from Away Annette, Beverly Bass, and others
Kate Baldwin Hello, Dolly! Irene Molloy
Stephanie J. Block Falsettos Trina
Mary Beth Peil Anastasia Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna
Nora Schell Spamilton Various Characters
2018
Lindsay Mendez Carousel Carrie Pipperidge
Kenita R. Miller Once On This Island Mama Euralie
Ashley Park Mean Girls Gretchen Weiners
Diana Rigg My Fair Lady Mrs. Higgins
Kate Rockwell Mean Girls Karen Smith
2019
Ali Stroker Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Ado Annie Carnes
Stephanie Hsu Be More Chill Christine Canigula
Leslie Kritzer Beetlejuice Delia Deetz / Miss Argentina
Soara-Joye Ross Carmen Jones Frankie
Sarah Stiles Tootsie Sandy Lester
Mary Testa Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Aunt Eller

2020s

[edit]
Year Actress Musical Character
2020
Lauren Patten Jagged Little Pill Jo
Yesenia Ayala West Side Story Anita
Paula Leggett Chase The Unsinkable Molly Brown Ensemble
LaChanze The Secret Life of Bees August
Alyse Alan Louis Soft Power Zoe/Hillary
2021 No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City[1]
2022
Patti LuPone Company Joanne
Judy Kuhn Assassins Sara Jane Moore
Tamika Lawrence Black No More Buni
Bonnie Milligan Kimberly Akimbo Debra
Jennifer Simard Company Sarah

Multiple Wins

[edit]
2 wins

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Evans, Greg (2021-05-05). "Broadway To Reopen Sept. 14, Says Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Broadway League "Cautiously Optimistic"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
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