'9 to 5' leads Drama Desk nods

NEW YORK, April 27 (UPI) -- The Broadway musical "9 to 5" led the field with 15 nods when Drama Desk Award nominations were announced in New York Monday.

The prizes will be handed out a gala ceremony at the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Manhattan's Lincoln Center.

Broadway icon Harvey Fierstein is to act as master of ceremonies for the May 17 event.

"Shrek the Musical" was nominated for 12 awards and "Billy Elliot the Musical" for 10. The shows will compete with "9 to 5" in several categories, including outstanding musical. Also up for the top musical prize are "Fela!," "Liza's at the Palace" and "The Story of My Life."

In the running for outstanding play are "Body Awareness," "Becky Shaw," "reasons to be pretty," "Ruined," "Fifty Words" and "Lady."

Shortlisted for the Drama Desk Award for outstanding revival of a play are "Blithe Spirit," "Exit the King,"

"Mary Stuart," "The Cripple of Inishmaan," "The Norman Conquests" and "Waiting for Godot."

The nominees for outstanding revival of a musical are "Enter Laughing the Musical," "Hair," "Pal Joey" and "West Side Story."