Passing Strange and August: Osage County Win New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards

Passing Strange and August: Osage County have been named Best Play and Best Musical of the 2007-08 season by the New York Drama Critics' Circle. No award was given for Best Foreign Play. The awards will be presented at a cocktail reception to be held on Monday, May 19, at the Algonquin Hotel. Presenters will include Edward Albee and Marian Seldes.

Passing Strange has book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. The musical, which is directed by and created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen, opened at Broadway's Belasco Theatre February 28, 2008, where it currently plays. Its world premiere took place in October 2006, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and its New York premiere at the Public Theater where it opened May 14, 2007.

August: Osage County, written by Tracy Letts and directed by Anna D. Shapiro, opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on December 4, 2007, and recently transfered to the Music Box Theatre, where it currently plays. It had its world premiere June 28, 2007, at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. The award for best play carries with it a cash prize of $2,500. The awards are made possible by a grant from the Lucille Lortel Foundation.

The New York Drama Critics' Circle comprises 22 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, and wire services based in the New York metropolitan area.