'Sons of the Prophet,' 'Once' win awards

"The Sons of the Prophet," Stephen Karam's dark comedy about a Lebanese-American family, has won the New York Drama Critics' Circle award for best play.

"Once," a musical about a love between a Dublin street musician and a Czech pianist, was named best musical. The show, which transferred from Off-Broadway's New York Theater Workshop, just got 11 Tony nominations.

Nina Raine's "Tribes," currently running downtown at the Barrow Street Theater, won for best foreign play, an option when an American play gets the top prize.

Director Mike Nichols, whose production of "Death of a Salesman" is running on Broadway, was given a special citation for his body of work.

The Signature Theater Company, which just opened a new theater, was also given a special citation.

The Critics' Circle comprises 25 critics from newspapers, magazines, wire services and websites in the tri-state area. Awards will be presented Monday at a private ceremony.