Pulitzer Prize 2026- Page 2

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 4:41pm

Even if the author is technically eligible, I don't think Prince Faggot factors in here. The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is specifically for a work that deals with American life. This play is specifically exploring a fictionalized version of the British royal family. Now one can surely make the argument that the themes are universally queer, intentionally so, and therefore we don't need to apply the messages of the play only to British culture. And of course it does include the autobiographical portions of the largely American cast, which relates the themes back to American experiences. Still the action is not set in the US and the characters are not American. So I think ultimately it gets left off this list.

That being said the Pulitzer committee is TINY. Four people I believe? (which is why we often get surprise, singular choices in the lineup). So it really only takes two jurors to think a play is "American enough" to skirt that specific qualification. I hope Liberation wins. I expect Meet the Cartozians to be there as well. Perhaps The Antiquities or Caroline fills out the slate?

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 6:10pm

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "Even if the author is technically eligible, I don't think Prince Faggot factors in here. The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is specifically for a work that deals with American life. This play is specifically exploring a fictionalized version of the British royal family. Now one can surely make the argument that the themes are universally queer, intentionally so, and therefore we don't need to apply the messages of the play only to British culture. And of course it does include the autobiographical portions of the largely American cast, which relates the themes back to American experiences. Still the action is not set in the US and the characters are not American. So I think ultimately it gets left off this list."

I'm not invested one way or another in Prince Faggot -- I didn't love the play -- and I don't want to be pedantic, but this isn't accurate. The criteria for the Pulitzer states the play should "preferably" be of original source material and about about American life. The key word here is "preferably." There have been adaptations that have won or been finalists, and there have been multiple winners and finalists that are not about America. Off the top of my head: Ruined, English, Selling Kabul, I Am My Own Wife, Old Wicked Songs, M. Butterfly, The Diary of Anne Frank.

 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 6:34pm

I liked Liberation but I loved Meet the Cartozians. I can’t wait to see it again next March at the Huntington in Boston. 

[LooseTapScrews]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 7:20pm

My Predictions: 

 

Winner: Liberation by Bess Wohl

Finalists: Cold War Choir Practice by Ro Reddick and Initiative* by Else Went.

 

*If John Proctor is the Villain is indeed eligible, then I’d bump Initiative for Kimberly Belflower’s JPITV.

 

The Shortlist: 

Liberation by Bess Wohl

Cold War Choir Practice by Ro Reddick

Initiative by Else Went 

Bust by Zora Howard

Meet the Cartozians by Talene Monahon

The Antiquities by Jordan Harrison 

Caroline by Preston Max Allen

The Monsters by Ngozi Anyanwu

We Are Gathered by Tarell Alvin McCraney

John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower*

 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 9:30pm

Melissa25 said: "I liked Liberation but I loved Meet the Cartozians. I can’t wait to see it again next March at the Huntington in Boston."

Meet the Cartozians is totally worthy of a win. I think Liberation has more momentum behind it but I think Meet the Cartozians was just brilliant & I don’t know how it didn’t gain more traction here in NYC. I was stunned by the layers that Monohan tries to pull apart in this play!

Updated On: 4/23/26 at 09:30 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/23/26 at 10:50pm

BroadwayGirl107: Melissa25  said: "I liked Liberation but I loved Meet the Cartozians. I can’t wait to see it again next March at the Huntington in Boston."

Meet the Cartozians is totally worthy of a win. I think Liberation has more momentum behind it but I think Meet the Cartozians was just brilliant & I don’t know how it didn’t gain more traction here in NYC. I was stunned by the layers that Mohegan tries to pull apart in this play!

Stunned is a great description. Monahon gives us so much to chew on. It’s just so rich. That’s why I need to revisit.