No Pulitzer Prize for Drama to be Given in 2006

The Pulitzer Prize committee has opted not to name a Drama recipient this year. The last time no Pulitzer Prize for Drama was given was back in 1997.

Named after Joseph Pulitzer, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded in 1917. While the eligibility span typically went from spring to spring, this year only plays that opened from March 2, 2005 to December 31, 2005 were eligible for the award. Shows that opened in January and February will be eligible next year.

This year's Drama Jurors were Newsday's Linda Winer, Haverford College professor Kimberly W. Benston, Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones, playwright/actress/professor Anna Deavere Smith and The San Diego Union-Tribune's Anne Marie Welsh. The New York Post reported last week that contenders included Adam Rapp's Red Light Winter, Christopher Durang's Miss Witherspoon and Rolin Jones' The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow.