2025 Pulitzer Prize Predictions

[MarilynMonroeSmash]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 1:17am

The announcement is in 1 month. Anyone have any thoughts?

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 1:27am

Is PURPOSE eligible?   It was outstanding 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 1:33am

VernonGersch said: "Is PURPOSE eligible? It was outstanding"

I believe it would be, as it premiered in Chicago last spring, putting it within the eligibility window of this year's award.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 2:32am

Liberation

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 8:15am

This year’s prize would only cover works that premiere between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24 so I don’t think Liberation would be eligible, though it seems like a shoo-in for next year.

[JoeW4]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 8:26am

I posted a video on TikTok looking at a range of possible contenders, in case anyone is curious:

But yes as BroadwayGirl said, Liberation will be eligible next year.

Purpose's out of town run doesn't NECESSARILY mean it's eligible this year, as it's up to them whether they want to submit following their first run, or wait until a future (often NYC) run. However, in recent year' we've seen that Steppenwolf tends to submit for their runs, so I would guess that Purpose is eligible because it premiered at Steppenwolf specifically.

Updated On: 4/6/25 at 08:26 AM

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 6:34pm

2024 was a pretty sparse calendar year for new plays. 2025 already has way more interesting contenders for next year's prize. I do think John Proctor is the Villain is eligible this year due to the Huntington production. Purpose had quite a few revisions between Chicago and Broadway so I'm skeptical they submitted it for consideration this year, but you never know. What else would be a contender? The Ally? Catarina and the Beauty of Killing Fascists? Sally & Tom? Grief Hotel? Little Bear Ridge Road?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 6:46pm

Little Bear Ridge Road (not a great name) was probably my highlight of the past year. But it's just so...small... that I'm not sure it made any of sort of impact. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 6:53pm

RippedMan said: "Little Bear Ridge Road (not a great name) was probably my highlight of the past year. But it's just so...small... that I'm not sure it made any of sort of impact."

Cost of Living and Water By The Spoonful were also relatively under the radar. Steppenwolf immediately gives it a level of visibility. (I haven't seen the play)

The committee does not need to see the production live. They can read the script and/or watch an archival video. I BELIEVE a work can even be considered without being submitted, right?

Unlikely that any musicals would be strongly considered this year, right? DEAD OUTLAW doesn't quite feel like Pulitzer material, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING was very likely considered in 2020 given that it premiered at a major regional house and in a heavily truncated year.

Updated On: 4/6/25 at 06:53 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 4/6/25 at 7:13pm

I feel like the Pultizers are generally so idiosyncratic that, absent an obvious and undeniable frontrunner like a Hamilton or August: Osage County, they're extremely hard to predict. Little-known, divisive, and off-kilter shows have managed to be shortlisted quite a bit in the last decade.

Watch Oh, Mary! make the cut.

Updated On: 4/6/25 at 07:13 PM