The New York Theatre awards season has officially begun with the announcement of the Drama Desk nominations. Of course the reason we care is Cincinnati is well-represented with natives and friends.

First things first, native son Andy Blankenbuehler isn’t nominated for outstanding choreography for “In the Heights” because he won last year for the show’s Off-Broadway run and isn’t eligible.

Nominated are a favorite trio from “A Catered Affair”: John Doyle (“Company”) for direction of a musical; long ago CCM grad Faith Prince for lead actress in a musical; and Leslie Kritzer, one of the most talented CCM grads of the last decade, for outstanding featured actress in a musical (Go, Leslie!)

Winners will be announced May 18.