Drama Desk Embarrassed by Mantello Mix-Up

Something went wrong at the Drama Desk Awards on May 16. On the stage of the Concert Hall at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, it was announced that double-nominee Joe Mantello received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical for his work on Assassins. But the organization is now saying that Mantello won the award for his direction of Wicked.

So what happened? Drama Desk spokesperson Les Schecter told Broadway.com that the envelopes are labeled backstage at the ceremony shortly before the show. He attributed the mix-up to "a human error." Thus, when Bebe Neuwirth announced the Outstanding Director of a Musical winner, the envelope said "Joe Mantello, Assassins." But when the press release--which was created before the show from the same official list--went out, Mantello was listed as winning for Wicked. The information in most of the daily papers was based on the press release, which many reporters received before the ceremony began. The Drama Desk says it is an accurate source. "It was a close vote," Schecter said, "but, according to the tallies, Wicked won. They are going to examine the situation so this does not occur again."

"Now I feel as though I've been given the opportunity to acknowledge both Assassins and Wicked, which pleases me greatly," Mantello said in a statement. "In addition to Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, who were honored last night, I would to thank Wicked's wonderful design team, our perfect cast and Wayne Cilento, who was figuratively and literally by my side through the entire process. I would particularly like to acknowledge Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and their contribution to the show. Although they are wonderful individuals and singular talents, in their work on Wicked they are inextricably linked. They have given Wicked an honesty, a passion and a sense of humor that will continue to exist in the work long after they depart."

This brings up Wicked's official Drama Desk total to six and knocks Assassins down to four.