2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:10am

The Outer Critics Circle is an association with members affiliated with more than ninety newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, and online news organizations, in America and abroad. 

Isa Briones (Just in Time, The Pitt) and Spider Moafi (New Born, The Pitt) will host the live announcement of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations (27 categories and special awards), on Tuesday, April 21 from the Museum of Broadway starting at 10am/e.

Winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards will be announced on Monday, May 11, 2026 followed by an awards ceremony,  

• Outstanding New Broadway Play
• Outstanding New Broadway Musical
• Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
• Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
• John Gassner Award (new American play preferably by a new playwright)
• Outstanding Revival of a Musical
• Outstanding Revival of a Play
• Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play
• Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
• Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
• Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical
• Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
• Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
• Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
• Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
• Outstanding Solo Performance
• Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
• Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
• Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical
• Outstanding Direction of a Play
• Outstanding Choreography
• Outstanding Scenic Design
• Outstanding Costume Design
• Outstanding Lighting Design
• Outstanding Sound Design
• Outstanding Video/Projections
• Special Awards

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 01:10 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:14am

The eligibility cut-off date for nominators to attend a show was April 19, 2026. 

Shows that transfer from Off-Broadway to Broadway can be nominated again for Outer Critics Circle (OCC) Awards in new Broadway-specific categories. While the same production cannot win "Best New Off-Broadway Play" and then "Best New Broadway Play," it can be considered for, or win, top Broadway honors upon its transfer.

• "New Elements" Rule: Productions that were previously considered in Off-Broadway runs but later transferred to Broadway are generally only eligible for "new elements" (such as new cast members or design changes) unless the production is deemed significantly different (e.g., at least 50% different).
• Invitational Consideration: Productions are only considered if nominators were officially invited to attend. Shows that do not invite OCC nominators during their eligible run are excluded from consideration.

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 01:14 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:21am

CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL  was nominated for four 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards and won two:

• Outstanding Revival of a Musical *
• Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical * (André De Shields as Old   Deuteronomy
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical - Bill Rauch and Zhailon Levingston
• Outstanding Costume Design - Queen Jean

winner *

LIBERATION  was nominated for two 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards and won one:

• Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play *
• Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play - Betsy Aidem

TITANIQUE  was nominated for two 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards:

• Outstanding Book of a Musical (Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, Tye Blue)
• Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical (Marla Mindelle as Celine Dion)

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 01:21 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:37am

Video: Watch the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations live streamed (Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10am.)

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 01:37 AM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:06am

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[DaveyG]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 9:48am

Countdown to crazy! 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 10:22am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-LOST-BOYS-MEXODUS-SCHMIGADOON-and-More-Nominated-For-Outer-Critics-Circle-Awards-Full-List-20260421

Full List of Nominations

Outstanding New Broadway Musical

The Lost Boys
Schmigadoon!
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical

Beau the Musical
Goddess
Mexodus
Oratorio for Living Things
Saturday Church

Outstanding New Broadway Play

The Balusters
Giant
Little Bear Ridge Road
Oedipus
Punch

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play

Angry Alan
Meet the Cartozians
Prince Faggot
The Monsters
The Reservoir

John Gassner Award (for a new American play preferably by a new playwright)

Call Me Izzy by Jamie Wax
Caroline by Preston Max Allen
Cold War Choir Practice by Ro Reddick
Data by Matthew Libby
Well, I'll Let You Go by Bubba Weiler

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

The Baker's Wife
Chess
Masquerade
Ragtime
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Revival of a Play

Becky Shaw
The Brothers Size
Death of a Salesman
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Marjorie Prime

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play

Rose Byrne, Fallen Angels
Will Harrison, Punch
Nathan Lane, Death of a Salesman
John Lithgow, Giant
Lesley Manville, Oedipus
Kelli O'Hara, Fallen Angels

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Christopher Abbott, Death of a Salesman
Danny Burstein, Marjorie Prime
Jessica Hecht, Dog Day Afternoon
Laurie Metcalf, Death of a Salesman
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!
Nicholas Christopher, Chess
Luke Evans, The Rocky Horror Show
Joshua Henry, Ragtime
Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime
Jessica Vosk, Beaches

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Lost Boys
Max Clayton, Schmigadoon!
Andrew Durand, The Rocky Horror Show
Benjamin Pajak, The Lost Boys
Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

Micaela Diamond, The Seat of Our Pants
Amber Iman, Goddess
Brian Quijada, Mexodus
Matt Rodin, Beau the Musical
Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

Justin Cooley, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
J. Harrison Ghee, Saturday Church
Judy Kuhn, The Baker's Wife
Kevin McHale, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Jasmine Amy Rogers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Well, I'll Let You Go
Alana Raquel Bowers, Cold War Choir Practice
André Holland, The Brothers Size
Alani iLongwe, The Brothers Size
Aigner Mizzelle, The Monsters

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Caroline Aaron, The Reservoir
Brian d'Arcy James, Eurydice
River Lipe-Smith, Caroline
Andrea Martin, Meet the Cartozians
Malcolm Mays, The Brothers Size

Outstanding Solo Performance

Sean Hayes, The Unknown
Mary Kate O Flanagan, Making a Show of Myself
Jack Holden, Kenrex
Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing
Jean Smart, Call Me Izzy

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, The Lost Boys
Douglas Lyons, Beau the Musical
Cinco Paul, Schmigadoon!
Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus

Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Heather Christian, Oratorio for Living Things
Ethan D. Pakchar and Douglas Lyons, Beau the Musical
Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
The Rescues, The Lost Boys

Outstanding Direction of a Play

Debbie Allen, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Ngozi Anyanwu, The Monsters
Trip Cullman, Becky Shaw
Robert Icke, Oedipus
Joe Mantello, Death of a Salesman
Tarell Alvin McCraney and Bijan Shibani, The Brothers Size

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
Lee Sunday Evans, Oratorio for Living Things
David Mendizábal, Mexodus
Diane Paulus, Masquerade

Outstanding Choreography

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Masquerade
Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!
Darrell Grand Moultrie, Goddess
Darrell Grand Moultrie, Saturday Church
Rickey Tripp, The Monsters

Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Fraser Campbell, Jane Cardona, Ben Moss, Odetta Hartman, John Murchison, Peter Wise, Oratorio for Living Things
Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, Schmigadoon!
Mikhail Fiksel, Brian Quijada, and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Ethan Popp and The Rescues, The Lost Boys
Michael Thurber, Goddess

Outstanding Scenic Design

James Fluhr, Masquerade
Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys
Scott Pask, Schmigadoon!
Adam Rigg and Anton Volovsek, Bowl EP
Jason Sherwood, The Baker's Wife

Outstanding Costume Design

Dede Ayite, Goddess
Linda Cho, Schmigadoon!
Jeff Mahshie, Fallen Angels
Ryan park, The Lost Boys
Emilio Sosa, Masquerade

Outstanding Lighting Design

Mextly Couzin, Mexodus
Adam Honoré, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Jack Knowles, Death of a Salesman
Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Studio Luna, Marcel on the Train

Outstanding Sound Design

Caroline Eng, The Unknown
Mikhail Fiksel, Mexodus
Adam Fisher, The Lost Boys
Brett Jarvis, Masquerade
Nick Kourtides, Oratorio for Living Things

Outstanding Video/Projection Design

59 Studio, Ragtime
Akhila Krishnan, Kyoto
Derek McLane, This World of Tomorrow
Johnny Moreno, Mexodus
John Narun, Bughouse

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 10:24am

With all the love Caissie Levy is getting for her Tony on this board she seems to be missing

 

and no Mark Strong ? 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 10:30am

Happy for Vosk, whose excellent work in a terrible show is getting deservedly recognized.

[TheOtherOne2]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 10:31am

I'm surprised to see Becky Shaw's cast members, particularly Ehrenreich and Emond, not included among the nominees.

I'm also surprised that they are categorizing Oedipus as a new play.  I agree with this, but I believe everyone else has categorized it as a revival.  

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 10:31 AM

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 10:59am

WldKingdomHM said: "With all the loveCaissie Levy is getting for her Tony on this board she seems to be missing



and no Mark Strong ?"

Think these nongendered categories don't help the women, especially if they're sharing the stage with equally brilliant performers. Still think Levy is a lock for a tony nom. And still think she is the front runner. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:31am

WldKingdomHM said: "With all the loveCaissie Levy is getting for her Tony on this board she seems to be missing



and no Mark Strong ?"

These are the Outer Critics Awards. They never make sense or have any rhyme or reason.

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:33am

Huss417 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "With all the loveCaissie Levy is getting for her Tony on this board she seems to be missing



and no Mark Strong ?"

These are the Outer Critics Awards. They never make sense or have any rhyme or reason."

Still a little shocked to see Vosk and Chase make it in over Levy. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:37am

Vosk and Chase definitely have more stage time and more to do than Levy.  It could work to her disadvantage ultimately. 

[jazzicat]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:51am

I think there is a strong assumption that N2N is coming and she will get her recognition then. many people feel this way and are willing this return. I think these awards reflect how people are really feeling right now.

1) Everyone is rooting for Sara Chase given her story and loved her in Gatsby and now Schmigadoon- she is beloved and people want a great story of perseverance and hard work.  She is broadway right now. 

2) Same with Vosk- she is the only reason Beaches sold any tickets. A win here could be interesting. 

3) I feel so validated by the Lost Boys love.. as someone who has seen it 3 times already, I just can’t say enough about what the show is doing right and have confidence it will fill that barn of a theater night after night

Excited to see what the Tonys bring- there are still a few supporting folks I’d love to see and Shoshana should be up there. 
 

 

 

 

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 11:57am

jazzicat said: "I think there is a strong assumption that N2N is coming and she will get her recognition then. many people feel this way and are willing this return. I think these awards reflect how people are really feeling right now.

1) Everyone is rooting for Sara Chase givenherstory and loved her in Gatsby and now Schmigadoon- she is beloved and people want a great story of perseverance and hard work. She is broadway right now.

2) Same with Vosk- she is the only reason Beaches sold any tickets. A win here could be interesting.

3) I feel so validated by the Lost Boys love.. as someone who has seen it 3 times already, I just can’t say enough about what the show is doing right and have confidence it will fill that barn of a theater night after night

Excited to see what the Tonys bring- there are still a few supporting folks I’d love to see and Shoshana should be up there.






"

I mean I think for these smaller awards, you could be right. She still was nominated for the drama league yesterday. We will see what the Drama Desk awards say. But I really just don't see a world in which Sara Chase beats Caissie for the tony. 

[scripps]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 12:23pm

I am ready to personally launch and oversee Alden Ehrenreich's Tony campaign and he doesn't score an OCC nom, wild.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 12:53pm

No women for featured performer in a musical? Really? Yuck.

[Gertrude McFuzz2]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:04pm

scripps said: "I am ready to personally launch and oversee Alden Ehrenreich's Tony campaign and he doesn't score an OCC nom, wild."

I'm running Christopher Abbott's, so this was a good day for me

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 1:59pm

jazzicat said: "I think there is a strong assumption that N2N is coming and she will get her recognition then. many people feel this way and are willing this return. I think these awards reflect how people are really feeling right now.

1) Everyone is rooting for Sara Chase givenherstory and loved her in Gatsby and now Schmigadoon- she is beloved and people want a great story of perseverance and hard work. She is broadway right now.

2) Same with Vosk- she is the only reason Beaches sold any tickets. A win here could be interesting.

3) I feel so validated by the Lost Boys love.. as someone who has seen it 3 times already, I just can’t say enough about what the show is doing right and have confidence it will fill that barn of a theater night after night

I can definitely see your points here regarding Levy.  The tides may have turned for larger roles.

Lost Boys may get some nominations but I just don't see it winning much at all, if any - and it's very slim pickings in the new musical category.  Two Strangers still has my vote.  It's still the most complete of the shows - and the "little show that could" narrative works well for it.





"

 

Updated On: 4/21/26 at 01:59 PM

[trentsketch]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 2:05pm

Strange that Two Strangers only got nominated for one lead here and at Drama League. I'm sure both get the Tony nominations, but that's a weird split for such a small show.

And yeah, I loved The Lost Boys, but it has an uphill climb in the big categories because it's a campy vampire musical. Not everyone has a lot of respect for horror, let alone a musical with Elviras and Draculas popping out of the closet or rainbow superheroes in spandex. I'd love to be proven wrong, but Schmigadoon and Two Strangers fall more in line with typical winners.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 3:14pm

N2N revival may come in in 28/29 but it's definitely not coming in 27/28...

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 3:15pm

Not that Jack Holden doesn't deserve a nomination, but considering the show just started and hasn't even officially opened it seems odd for the show to be getting nominations having not even been in performance for five days

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 3:18pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "N2N revival may come in in 28/29 but it's definitely not coming in 27/28..."

Odd. Heard like two days ago, it has the booth for spring '27.

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 4/21/26 at 3:43pm

Lost Boys may get some nominations but I just don't see it winning much at all, if any - and it's very slim pickings in the new musical category. Two Strangers still has my vote. It's still the most complete of the shows - and the "little show that could" narrative works well for it.

We know you have it out for Lost Boys, but Two Strangers doesn't have the buzz. It is a little show that could but never did. It's nominations also aren't consistent because it isn't heavily adored.