Award-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein will host the Drama Desk Awards for the fourth time in May. Award-winning actor and writer Harvey Fierstein will host the Drama Desk Awards for the fourth time in May. (Drama Desk Awards)

Stage and film star Harvey Fierstein is returning to a regular theatre gig this May, with the award-winning actor and writer set to host the 54th annual Drama Desk Awards.

Organizers announced his selection on Wednesday, hailing Fierstein for "a cutting edge sense of humour and a quick wit that are perfectly suited for this type of hosting assignment."

"He understands all aspects of theatre and uses his knowledge to great advantage," ceremony executive producer Robert Blume said in a statement.

It will be the fourth time in the past six years that organizers have enlisted Fierstein — a multiple award-winner for stage productions such as Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles and Hairspray — as the awards night emcee.

The Drama Desk Awards honour stage productions from Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway and those by non-profit theatres in New York.

Nominations for this year's awards will be announced on April 27, with the awards gala to follow May 17 at New York's LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center.