Through a press release this morning at 10:00, the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards – the official organization of writers on NYC theater for out-of-town, national, and digital news publications (of which I am an active voting member) – were announced in 27 categories for Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of the 2025-26 season.
Leading this year’s awards are Ragtime and Schmigadoon! with five wins each, followed by Death of a Salesman and Mexodus, each with four. And the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards are:
Outstanding New Broadway Musical: Schmigadoon!
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical: Mexodus
Outstanding New Broadway Play: The Balusters
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play: Meet the Cartozians
John Gassner Award (for a new American play preferably by a new playwright): Cold War Choir Practice by Ro Reddick and Well, I’ll Let You Go by Bubba Weiler (tie)
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Ragtime
Outstanding Revival of a Play: Death of a Salesman
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play: Nathan Lane, Death of a Salesman
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play: Laurie Metcalf, Death of a Salesman
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical: Joshua Henry, Ragtime
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical: Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical: Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical: Judy Kuhn, The Baker’s Wife
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play: Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Well, I’ll Let You G
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play: Caroline Aaron, The Reservoir
Outstanding Solo Performance: Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing
Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway): Cinco Paul, Schmigadoon!
Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway): Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Outstanding Direction of a Play: Joe Mantello, Death of a Salesman
Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
Outstanding Choreography: Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!
Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway): Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, Schmigadoon!
Outstanding Scenic Design: Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys
Outstanding Costume Design: Linda Cho, Schmigadoon!
Outstanding Lighting Design: Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys
Outstanding Sound Design: Mikhail Fiksel, Mexodus
Outstanding Video/Projection Design: 59 Studio, Ragtime.
Congratulations to all the winners for the recognition of their outstanding contributions to NYC theater! A presentation ceremony for the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the MMAC Theater, 248 W 60th Street, NYC.
