Full Breakdown
2026 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominations Announced
4/2/2026, 10:04:53 PM
Overview of the Nominations
The nominations for the 41st annual Lucille Lortel Awards were revealed on April 1, 2026, by Amber Gray and Harvey Guillén, both currently starring in the Broadway revival of *The Rocky Horror Show*. The awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in Off-Broadway theater, will be presented on May 3, 2026, at NYU Skirball. This year, *Mexodus*, produced by Audible Theater and P3 Productions, leads the nominations with nine, including Outstanding Musical. The play *Prince F*****t*, produced by Playwrights Horizons and Soho Rep, follows closely with six nominations.
Key Productions and Performers
In addition to *Mexodus*, other notable productions include *Cold War Choir Practice*, produced by MCC Theater, Clubbed Thumb, and Page 73, and *Saturday Church*, which both received five nominations. The Lead Performer categories feature prominent names such as John Krasinski for *Angry Alan*, Kara Young for *Gruesome Playground Injuries*, and Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson for their performances in *Mexodus*.
Outstanding Play Nominations
- *Cold War Choir Practice* (MCC Theater, Clubbed Thumb, Page 73)
- *Kyoto* (Lincoln Center Theater)
- *The Monsters* (Manhattan Theatre Club)
- *Mother Russia* (Signature Theatre Company)
- *Prince F*****t* (Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep)
Outstanding Musical Nominations
- *BIGFOOT!* (Benson Drive Productions)
- *Mexodus* (Audible Theater, P3 Productions)
- *My Joy Is Heavy* (New York Theatre Workshop)
- *Saturday Church* (produced by Sia)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play
- Noah Galvin (*The Reservoir*)
- John Krasinski (*Angry Alan*)
- Kara Young (*Gruesome Playground Injuries*)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
- Brian Quijada (*Mexodus*)
- J. Harrison Ghee (*Saturday Church*)
- Dulé Hill (*Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole*)
Special Honorees
This year's ceremony will also honor Mia Katigbak with a Lifetime Achievement Award and posthumously recognize composer William Finn with an induction onto the Playwrights’ Sidewalk.
Official Statements & Responses
The Lortel Awards, produced by the Off-Broadway League and the Lucille Lortel Theatre with support from TDF, are the only New York theater awards dedicated exclusively to Off-Broadway achievements. The nominating committee reviewed 98 Off-Broadway productions this season, with 41 receiving nominations.
Criticism & Opposition
While the nominations celebrate a diverse array of talent and productions, some critics have pointed out that the awards may not fully represent the breadth of Off-Broadway work, particularly in terms of inclusivity and representation.
What's Next
The awards ceremony will take place on May 3, 2026, at NYU Skirball, with tickets available for public purchase starting April 7, 2026. The event is expected to attract significant attention from theater enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
