Outer Critics Circle Awards
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TheOuter Critics Circle Awardsare presented annually for theatrical achievements both onBroadwayandOff-Broadway.They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newspapers, digital and national publications, and other media beyond Broadway. The awards were first presented during the 1949–50 theater season, celebrating their 70th anniversary in 2020. David Gordon, Editor-in-Chief at TheaterMania, currently serves as president.
History[edit]
The Outer Critics Circle was founded as the Outer Circle during the Broadway season of 1949–50 by an assortment of theater critics led byJohn Gassner,a reviewer, essayist, dramaturg, and professor of theater. These critics were writing for academic publications, special interest journals, monthlies, quarterlies, and weekly publications outside the New York metro area, and were looking for a forum where they could discuss the theater in general, particularly the current New York season. The creation of the OCC was also a reaction to the New York Drama Critics Circle, which did not allow critics of lesser-known publications to join their ranks alongside writers of major New York and national publications. The first awards (for 1949–50) were:The Cocktail Party(Play);The Consul(Musical); Sheila Guyse, Performances in Supporting Roles forLost in the Stars,andDaniel Reed,Performances in Supporting Roles forCome Back, Little Sheba.
In the early 1960s, the awards and forums of the OCC were supervised by Broadway veteran Charles K. Freeman and Joseph Kay, Manhattan reporter/critic for theKansas City Star.This team was succeeded by Marjorie Gunner, who guided the group for 25 years before retiring in 2004. Simon Saltzman, a New Jersey-based theater critic, served as President until 2018, when he was succeeded by David Gordon of TheaterMania.
In addition to Gordon (president) and Saltzman (now President Emeritus), the Board of Directors currently includes Richard Ridge (Vice President), Joseph Cervelli (Recording Secretary), Patrick Hoffman (Corresponding Secretary), David Roberts (treasurer), Harry Haun (Historian), Cynthia Allen (Web Editor), Janice Simpson (Member), Doug Strassler (member), Dan Rubins (member), and Stanley L. Cohen (advisor).
Categories[edit]
Awards are currently[when?]given in the following categories:
- Outstanding Broadway Play
- Outstanding Broadway Musical
- Outstanding Off-Broadway Play
- Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical
- Outstanding New Score
- Outstanding Revival of a Play
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical
- Outstanding Actor in a Play
- Outstanding Actress in a Play
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical
- Outstanding Actress in a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
- Outstanding Solo Performance
- Outstanding Direction of a Play
- Outstanding Direction of a Musical
- Outstanding Choreography
- Outstanding Set Design
- Outstanding Costume Design
- Outstanding Lighting Design
- Outstanding Projection Design
- Outstanding Sound Design
- Outstanding Orchestrations
- John Gassner Award (presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Winners and nominees[edit]
2008–2009 season[edit]
Billy Elliot the MusicalandShrek the Musicaleach received ten nominations, the most of any show. The winners were announced on May 11, 2009, with an awards dinner on May 21 at Sardi's Restaurant.[1]
Billy Elliot the Musicalwon seven awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, followed byShrek the Musicalwith four. The award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical was a tie betweenSutton FosterandJosefina Scaglione.Brian d'Arcy Jameswon for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. Outstanding New Broadway Play was won byGod of Carnage.
The John Gassner Award (presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright) was won byGina GionfriddoforBecky Shaw,and the Special Achievement Award was given to the three actors who share the role of Billy Elliot, David Alvarez,Trent KowalikandKiril KulishinBilly Elliot the Musical.[2]
2009–2010 season[edit]
Nominees for the 2009–2010 season were announced on April 26, 2010, by siblingsSutton FosterandHunter Foster,with winners announced on May 17.[3]Seven nominations each were received by the musicalMemphisand the revival ofThe Royal Family,the most of any production.The Scottsboro Boyswas nominated for six awards, including Best Off-Broadway musical. Shows receiving five nominations wereThe Addams Family,Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,The Orphans' Home Cycle,andPromises, Promises.Finian's Rainbow,La Cage aux Folles,Lend Me A Tenor,andSondheim on Sondheimeach received four nominations.[4]
The Outstanding New Broadway Musical award was won byMemphis,which won a total of four awards. Other winners included: Outstanding New Broadway Play forRedand Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play forThe Orphans' Home Cycle,which won two awards. The Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical was a tie, won byBloody Bloody Andrew JacksonandThe Scottsboro Boys.La Cage aux Folleswon four awards: Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Actor In A Musical (Douglas Hodge), Director (Terry Johnson), and Costume Design (Matthew Wright).Montego Glover(Memphis) andCatherine Zeta-Jones(A Little Night Music) tied for Outstanding Actress In A Musical.[5]
2010–2011 season[edit]
The nominees, announced on April 26, 2011, included nine nominations for the musicalSister Act,the most of any show.Anything Goesreceived eight nominations. The Special Achievement Awards were also announced:Ellen Barkin,Outstanding Broadway Debut inThe Normal Heart;and Adrian Kohler with Basil Jones forHandspring Puppet CompanyPuppet Design, Fabrication and Direction forWar Horse.[6]
The winners were:[7]
- Outstanding New Broadway Musical –The Book of Mormon(which also won Outstanding New Score)
- Outstanding New Broadway Play –War Horse
- Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play –Other Desert Cities(byJon Robin Baitz)
- Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical –The Kid(book by Michael Zam, music by Andy Monroe, lyrics by Jack Lechner)
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical –Anything Goes
- Outstanding Revival of a Play –The Normal Heart
- Outstanding Director of a Musical –Casey NicholawandTrey ParkerforBook of Mormon
- Outstanding Director of a Play –Marianne ElliottandTom MorrisforWar Horse
- Outstanding Choreographer –Kathleen MarshallforAnything Goes
- Outstanding Costume Design – Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner forPriscilla
- Outstanding Lighting Design – Paule Constable forWar Horse
- Outstanding Set Design – Neil Murray forBrief Encounter
- Outstanding Actress in a Musical –Sutton Foster
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical –Josh Gad
- Outstanding Actor in a Play –Mark Rylance
- Outstanding Actress in a Play –Nina AriandaandFrances McDormand(TIE)
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play –Brian Bedford
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play –Elizabeth Rodriguez
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical –Laura Benanti
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Adam Godley
2011–2012 season[edit]
The nominees included nine nominations for the new musicalNice Work If You Can Get It,the most of any production, with the musicalsNewsiesandOnceeach receiving seven nominations and the revival ofFolliesreceiving five. ThePublic Theaterreceived an honorary award "on its 50th anniversary presenting free theatre at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park."[8]
Winners includeOne Man, Two Guvnorsas Outstanding New Broadway Play,Onceas Outstanding New Broadway Musical,Sons of the ProphetbyStephen Karamas Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, andMichael John LaChiusa'sQueen of the Mistas Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical.The Submissionby Jeff Talbot received the John Gassner Award.[9]
2012–2013 season[edit]
The nominees included 11 nominations for the revival of the musicalPippin,nine nominations forKinky Boots,eight nominations (each) forChaplin: The MusicalandCinderellaand six nominations (each) forGolden BoyandThe Nance.[10]
Winners includeVanya and Sonia and Masha and Spikeas Outstanding New Broadway Play,Kinky Bootsas Outstanding New Broadway Musical,My Name is Asher Levas Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play andHere Lies Loveas Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical.Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?was named Outstanding Revival of a Play andPippinas Outstanding Revival of a Musical.My Name is Asher Levby Aaron Posner received the John Gassner Award. The Special Achievement Award was presented to theIrish Repertory Theatre.[10]
2013–2014 season[edit]
The nominees included 11 nominations forA Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,8 nominations for the new musicalAladdin,and 7 nominations for the new musicalFun Home;the dramasTwelfth Nightreceived 5 nominations,Act One4 nominations, andAll the Way4 nominations.[11]Winners of multiple awards wereA Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder(including New Musical) with 4;Bullets Over BroadwayandThe Glass Menageriewith 3 each; andAll the Way(including New Play) andHedwig and the Angry Inchwith 2 each. Three plays tied for the John Glassner Award: Eric Dufault,Year of the Rooster;Madeleine George,The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence;andSteven Levenson,The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin.[12]
2014–2015 season[edit]
The nominees includedSomething Rotten!– 12,On the Twentieth Century– 9,An American in Paris– 8,Wolf Hall– 7,It Shoulda Been You– 6,The Audience– 6,The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time– 6,Hamilton– 5,The Elephant Man– 5,The King and I– 5,The Visit– 5,On The Town– 4,You Can't Take It with You– 4,The Heidi Chronicles– 3 andThe Last Ship– 3.[13]
Multiple winners:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time(5, including Outstanding New Broadway Play),An American in Paris(3, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical),Hamilton(3, including Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical),The King and I(3),The Audience(2),On the 20th Century(2) andYou Can't Take It With You(2).[14]
The John Gassner Award winner wasThe Invisible HandbyAyad Akhtar.
2015–2016 season[edit]
The nominees includedAmerican PsychoandShe Loves Me– 8;Bright StarandOn Your Feet!– 7;Dear Evan Hansen– 6;Eclipsed,Lazarus,Long Day's Journey Into NightandSpring Awakening– 5; andThe Humans,A View From the BridgeandWaitress– 4.[15]
Multiple winners:She Loves Me– 4; Long Day’s Journey Into Night – 3. The Outstanding New Broadway Musical wasBright Star,and the Outstanding New Broadway Play wasThe Humans;Outstanding Revival of a Play wasLong Day’s Journey Into Nightand Outstanding Revival of a Musical wasShe Loves Me.The John Gassner Award winner was Marco Ramirez forThe Royale.[16]
2016–2017 season[edit]
The nominees includedAnastasia– 13;Hello, Dolly!– 10;The Band's VisitandCome from Away– 7;Groundhog Day– 5;A Bronx Tale– 4;Falsettos,Holiday Inn,andNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812– 3; andMiss Saigon,Sunset Boulevard– 1.[17]
Multiple winners:Come from AwayandHello, Dolly!– 4;The Band's VisitandNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812– 2. The Outstanding New Broadway Musical wasCome from Away,and the Outstanding New Broadway Play wasOslo;Outstanding Revival of a Play wasJitneyand Outstanding Revival of a Musical wasHello, Dolly!.The John Gassner Award winner was Bess Wohl forSmall Mouth Sounds.[18]
2017–2018 season[edit]
The nominees includedSpongeBob SquarePants– 11;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child– 10;My Fair Lady– 9;Mean Girls– 8;Angels in America,Carousel,andOnce on This Island– 6;Three Tall Women– 5;FrozenandPrince of Broadway– 4;Farinelli and the KingandTravesties– 3.[19]
The award winners were announced on May 7, 2018. Multiple winners are:Harry Potter and the Cursed Childwith six awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play, andMy Fair Ladywith five awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical.SpongeBob SquarePantswon the Outstanding New Broadway Musical, with two additional awards.Jocelyn Bioh,forSchool Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Playwon the John Gassner Award.[20]
2018–2019 season[edit]
The Outer Critics Circle Award winners for the 2018–19 season includeHadestown(Musical),The Ferryman(Play),Girl From the North Country(Off-Broadway Musical), andWhite Noise(Off-Broadway Play).
2019-2020 season[21][edit]
| Honorees | |
|---|---|
| Outstanding New Broadway Play |
|
| Outstanding New Broadway Musicals | |
| Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play |
|
| Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical |
|
| Outstanding Revival of a Play
(Broadway or Off-Broadway) |
|
| Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | |
| John Gassner Award |
|
| Outstanding Book of a Musical
(Broadway or Off-Broadway) |
|
| Outstanding New Score
(Broadway or Off-Broadway) |
|
| Outstanding Director of a Play |
|
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | |
| Outstanding Choreographer | |
| Outstanding Orchestrations |
|
| Outstanding Actor in a Play |
|
| Outstanding Actress in a Play |
|
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play |
|
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play |
|
| Outstanding Solo Performance |
|
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical |
|
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical |
|
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | |
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical |
|
| Outstanding Scenic Design |
|
| Outstanding Costume Design |
|
| Outstanding Lighting Design |
|
| Outstanding Projection Design |
|
| Outstanding Sound Design |
|
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Gans, Andrew.Billy Elliot and Shrek Top Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations ",playbill, April 20, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."Billy Elliot, Carnage, Ruined and Avenger Are Outer Critics Circle Award Winners",playbill, May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew (April 26, 2010)."Hunter and Sutton Foster to Announce Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominees April 26".Playbill.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
- ^Gans, Andrew (April 26, 2010)."Outer Critics Circle Awards Noms Announced;Memphis,Royal FamilyTop List ".Playbill.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
- ^Gans, Andrew."Memphis, La Cage, Zeta-Jones, Finneran and More Are Outer Critics Circle Award Winners"playbill, May 17, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."Outer Critics Circle Nominees Include 'Sister Act', 'Anything Goes', 'Book of Mormon'"playbill, April 26, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^"'War Horse', 'The Kid', Benanti, Gad Among Outer Critics Circle Winners!"broadwayworld, May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."62nd Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations Announced; 'Nice Work' Receives Nine Nods"playbill, April 23, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."Outer Critics Circle Winners Announced; 'Once' and 'One Man, Two Guvnors' Are Top Winners"playbill, May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^abGans, Andrew."'Pippin' Is Big Winner of 2012–13 Outer Critics Circle Awards"playbill, May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations Announced; A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Leads the Pack"playbill, April 22, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew."64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' Wins Four Awards"playbill, May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert."Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced; 'Something Rotten!' Leads the Pack"playbill, April 20, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Clement, Olivia."'Curious Incident' Top Winner at Outer Critics Circle Awards"playbill, May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^"American PsychoandShe Loves MeLead 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations "TheaterMania, April 19, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^Cox, Gordon."Outer Critics Circle Awards 2016: Roundabout Dominates withShe Loves Me,Long Day’s Journey(Full List) "Variety,May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^"Outer Critics Circle Nominations Announced: Hello, Dolly!, Anastasia, Groundhog Day and More!".BroadwayWorld.BWW News. April 25, 2017.RetrievedMay 25,2018.
- ^"HELLO, DOLLY! and COME FROM AWAY win OCC Awards".outercritics.org.RetrievedMay 25,2018.
- ^Clement, Olivia."'SpongeBob SquarePants' Leads Outer Critics Circle Nominations"Playbill, April 24, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^McPhee, Ryan."'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child', 'My Fair Lady' Win Big at 2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards"Playbill, May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^"2019-2020 – Outer Critics Circle".Retrieved2023-11-16.
