Signature Theater’s revival of August Wilson’s “Piano Lesson” and the Playwrights Horizon production of “The Whale” were the big winners on Sunday night at the ceremony for the Lucille Lortel Awards, which honors Off Broadway works. “The Piano Lesson” won the most awards in competition — four — for outstanding revival, director (Ruben Santiago-Hudson), lead actress (Roslyn Ruff) and featured actor (Chuck Cooper). “The Whale,” by Samuel D. Hunter, won for outstanding play and lead actor for Shuler Hensley, who played a morbidly obese man coming to terms with his mistakes and fears. Jessica Pabst also won for her costumes for “The Whale.”
Other Lortel winners were “Dogfight,” for outstanding musical and choreographer (Christopher Gattelli); “All the Rage” for solo show; Annie Funke for featured actress in “If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet,” playing opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, also a Lortel nominee; Clint Ramos for set design for “Wild With Happy”; Scott Zielinski for lighting design for “A Civil War Christmas”; and Leah Gelpe for sound design for “Slowgirl.” Special awards were also presented to Todd Haimes, artistic director of Roundabout Theater Company, for lifetime achievement; Signature’s production of “Old Hats,” for outstanding alternative theatrical experience; the playwright Neil LaBute; and the Theater Development Fund.