The 2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards have been announced earlier this week. Today, we shall be discussing some of the winners. Please note that Hamilton was ineligible this year because it was already eligible last year when it was Off-Broadway.
Outstanding New Broadway Play
The Humans: While it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize this year, it did not win (in large part thanks to Hamilton). Though the new Stephen Karam play is probably on its way to sweeping every award for Best Play.
Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Bright Star: With Hamilton out of the way, this completely original musical had manage to win the top award.
Outstanding New Score
Bright Star: I was very glad to see Steve Martin & Edie Brickell win this award as Bright Star is my favorite score of the season (besides Hamilton).
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Long Day’s Journey Into Night: This production of the Eugene O’Neill classic seems to be giving the critically-acclaimed avant garde production of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge a run for its money.
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
She Loves Me: Against the more ambitious productions that were nominated, the more traditional production won.
Outstanding Actor in a Play
Frank Langella-The Father: Could this Broadway veteran be on his way to winning his fourth Tony Award? He plays a role that normally does win awards (a person suffering with alzheimer's).
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Jessica Lange-Long Day’s Journey Into Night: In her first two Broadway outings (A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie), she received little-to-no awards recognition at all. In her third outing, the two-time Academy Award winner is finally getting herself some more respect from the theatre community.
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein-Fiddler on the Roof: While we won’t know if the six-time Tony nominee will finally win this year (especially with the two Hamilton guys in the conversation), he seems to be off to a good start with a win here. Then again, Burstein had previously won this award back in 2012 for the most recent Broadway revival of Follies which was followed by another win at Drama Desk, and the Tony that year went to Steve Kazee in Once.
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Cynthia Erivo-The Color Purple: She’s probably on her way to being the latest performer to have won a Theatre World, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony Award all in one season.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Michael Shannon-Long Day’s Journey Into Night: As the only Tony nominee who was also nominated in the same category here (Reed Birney was nominated as Lead at Outer Critics as opposed to Featured), this Oscar nominee just started gaining himself some momentum going forward.
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Pascale Armand-Eclipsed: Of the three Eclipsed girls nominated in this category, they did not split the vote. Armand was the one to take home the award (especially in a tie with someone from another show).
Judith Light-Therese Raquin: She may not have been remembered by the Tony nominators, but past winner Judith Light did manage to pull off a win here.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Christopher Fitzgerald-Waitress: As the only Tony nominee who was also nominated here, Christopher Fitzgerald was able to win this award for his scene-stealing performance in Waitress. If the three nominees from Hamilton split the vote at the Tonys, could Fitzgerald take Best Featured Actor in a Musical?
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Jane Krakowski-She Loves Me: Could she give Renee Elise Goldsberry (from Hamilton) a run for her money at the Tonys?
Outstanding Director of a Play
Ivo van Hove-A View From the Bridge: Probably the first of many awards the Belgian theater director could be taking home this season.
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Michael Arden-Spring Awakening: This should be a great consolation prize for the young actor-turned-director whose ambitious take on the 2007 Tony Award-Winning musical by infusing sign language is likely going to be overshadowed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) at the Tonys.
Outstanding Choreographer
Sergio Trujillo-On Your Feet!: This seems to be a great week for Sergio Trujillo. On Tuesday, he finally received his very first Tony nomination, and now just won the Outer Critics Circle Award.
Outstanding New Broadway Play
The Humans: While it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize this year, it did not win (in large part thanks to Hamilton). Though the new Stephen Karam play is probably on its way to sweeping every award for Best Play.
Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Bright Star: With Hamilton out of the way, this completely original musical had manage to win the top award.
Outstanding New Score
Bright Star: I was very glad to see Steve Martin & Edie Brickell win this award as Bright Star is my favorite score of the season (besides Hamilton).
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Long Day’s Journey Into Night: This production of the Eugene O’Neill classic seems to be giving the critically-acclaimed avant garde production of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge a run for its money.
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
She Loves Me: Against the more ambitious productions that were nominated, the more traditional production won.
Outstanding Actor in a Play
Frank Langella-The Father: Could this Broadway veteran be on his way to winning his fourth Tony Award? He plays a role that normally does win awards (a person suffering with alzheimer's).
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Jessica Lange-Long Day’s Journey Into Night: In her first two Broadway outings (A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie), she received little-to-no awards recognition at all. In her third outing, the two-time Academy Award winner is finally getting herself some more respect from the theatre community.
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein-Fiddler on the Roof: While we won’t know if the six-time Tony nominee will finally win this year (especially with the two Hamilton guys in the conversation), he seems to be off to a good start with a win here. Then again, Burstein had previously won this award back in 2012 for the most recent Broadway revival of Follies which was followed by another win at Drama Desk, and the Tony that year went to Steve Kazee in Once.
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Cynthia Erivo-The Color Purple: She’s probably on her way to being the latest performer to have won a Theatre World, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony Award all in one season.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Michael Shannon-Long Day’s Journey Into Night: As the only Tony nominee who was also nominated in the same category here (Reed Birney was nominated as Lead at Outer Critics as opposed to Featured), this Oscar nominee just started gaining himself some momentum going forward.
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Pascale Armand-Eclipsed: Of the three Eclipsed girls nominated in this category, they did not split the vote. Armand was the one to take home the award (especially in a tie with someone from another show).
Judith Light-Therese Raquin: She may not have been remembered by the Tony nominators, but past winner Judith Light did manage to pull off a win here.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Christopher Fitzgerald-Waitress: As the only Tony nominee who was also nominated here, Christopher Fitzgerald was able to win this award for his scene-stealing performance in Waitress. If the three nominees from Hamilton split the vote at the Tonys, could Fitzgerald take Best Featured Actor in a Musical?
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Jane Krakowski-She Loves Me: Could she give Renee Elise Goldsberry (from Hamilton) a run for her money at the Tonys?
Outstanding Director of a Play
Ivo van Hove-A View From the Bridge: Probably the first of many awards the Belgian theater director could be taking home this season.
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Michael Arden-Spring Awakening: This should be a great consolation prize for the young actor-turned-director whose ambitious take on the 2007 Tony Award-Winning musical by infusing sign language is likely going to be overshadowed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton) at the Tonys.
Outstanding Choreographer
Sergio Trujillo-On Your Feet!: This seems to be a great week for Sergio Trujillo. On Tuesday, he finally received his very first Tony nomination, and now just won the Outer Critics Circle Award.