DaytonDailyNews.com

Alice Ripley, a former resident of West Carrollton, is up for a Drama Desk Award — sort of a precurser to the Tony Awards — for Best Actress in a Musical.

Ripley's role in "Next to Normal" earned her the nomination. She'll compete against Faith Prince ("A Catered Affair"); Sierra Boggess ("The Little Mermaid"); Patti LuPone ("Gypsy"); Kelli O'Hara ("South Pacific"); and Jenna Russell ("Sunday in the Park With George").

"A Catered Affair," a musical about one family's complicated wedding plans, received the most nominations with 12. It was followed by "Adding Machine," an adaptation of Elmer Rice's expressionistic drama, with nine nods, and the lavish Lincoln Center Theater revival of "South Pacific" and Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein," both with eight.

The Drama Desk, which was founded in 1949, honors both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The awards show will take place May 18 at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center.

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