THE Manhattan Theater Club’s “The Wild Party,” a dud panned by most critics, nevertheless snagged 13 Drama Desk nominations yesterday, including Outstanding New Musical, Music and Lyrics (both by Andrew Lippa) and Direction (by Gabriel Barre).
Also nominated for Outstanding Musical were “Contact,” “James Joyce’s ‘The Dead,'” “Swing!” and Stephen Sondheim’s first show, “Saturday Night.”
The Public Theater’s “Wild Party,” which is struggling to stay afloat on Broadway, was shut out of the category, as was Disney’s “Aida,” which received just one nomination – Outstanding Actress in a Musical – for its star, Heather Headley.
“Kiss Me, Kate” received 10 nominations, including Outstanding Revival, and will square off against “The Music Man” for that award.
Susan Stroman received four nominations for her direction and choreography of both “Contact” and “The Music Man.”
The nominees for Outstanding New Play were “Contact With the Enemy,” “Copenhagen,” “Dinner With Friends,” “Dirty Blonde,” “Jitney” and “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.”
Nominated for Outstanding Revival of a Play were “A Moon for the Misbegotten,” “The Price,” “The Real Thing,” “True West,” “Uncle Vanya” and “Waste.”
The Drama Desk Awards will be presented May 14 at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center, and will be broadcast on New York 1.