Book of Mormon, Anything Goes win Drama Desk Awards

The already acclaimed The Book of Mormon won further kudos Monday night, dominating the Drama Desk Awards in New York and cementing its status as the musical to beat at the forthcoming Tony gala.

Created by the irreverent minds behind Avenue Q and South Park (Robert Lopez,Trey Parker and Matt Stone), The Book of Mormon earned trophies in five categories. It was named best musical and also won for best lyrics, music, director and orchestrations on Monday night.

The profane Broadway show follows two Mormon missionaries who travel to Uganda to convert the locals. It was previously named best musical by both the New York Drama Critics' Circle and the Outer Critics Circle earlier this year.

The show goes into theprestigious Tony Awards set for June 12 with a leading 14 nominations.

Anything Goes was also a big winner on Monday, with the Drama Desk awarding the Cole Porter revival five awards, including best musical revival, an outstanding actress in a musical trophy for Sutton Foster and a best choreography nod for Kathleen Marshall.

Veteran British-Canadian actor Brian Bedford took the stage to accept the trophy for best featured actor in a play for hiscelebrated turn as Lady Bracknellin The Importance of Being Earnest, which he also directed.

Other winners included:

• Outstanding play - War Horse.
• Actor in a play - Bobby Cannavale, The Motherf---er With the Hat.
• Actress in a play - Frances McDormand, Good People.
• Actor in a musical - Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can.
• Featured actress in a play - Edie Falco, The House of Blue Leaves.
• Featured actor in a musical - John Larroquette, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
• Featured actress in a musical - Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.
• Revival of a play - The Normal Heart.
• Director of a play - Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
• Solo performance - John Leguizamo, Ghetto Klown.

Now in its 56th year, the Drama Desk Awards are presented annually to honour Broadway and off-Broadway productions.