Butz & D'Amboise Honored by TDF/Astaire; No Honorees in 2 Categories

The 2005 TDF/Astaire Award winners were announced on May 20, offering a few surprises. Despite a plentiful musical season, the Astaire Awards committee composed of New York Daily News emeritus chairman Douglas Watt, New York Post critic Clive Barnes, New York Daily News critic Howard Kissel, Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press, Ballet Review's Donald McDonagh, Dance Magazine's Richard Philp, American Dance Festival director Charles L. Reinhart and Newsday's Linda Winer did not name awardees in the categories of Best Choreographer or Best Female Dancer.

The honor of Best Male Dancer went to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels lead Norbert Leo Butz, who earned critical acclaim for his performance, but does not have a significant amount of dancing to do in the musical.

Charlotte d'Amboise received a Special Award for her "invaluable contribution to Broadway dance during the 2004-05 season." This season, d'Amboise has appeared on the Great White Way in both Chicago and Sweet Charity. She currently plays Roxie Hart in Chicago and also is the standby for the title role of Sweet Charity.

The awards will be presented on June 14 at a private reception hosted by TDF.