The Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media beyond Broadway, has announced its list of award winners for the 2016-2017 theatrical season.
The Bette Midler-led Hello, Dolly! and the new musical Come From Away were the top winners of the season, earning five awards each, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding New Broadway Musical, respectively.
Midler’s performance as Dolly Gallagher Levi won for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical. Hello, Dolly! also saw Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical go to Gavin Creel, as well as additional wins for Outstanding Choreographer and Outstanding Orchestrations.
Come From Away, written by husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, was awarded Outstanding Book, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Orchestrator, and Outstanding Sound Design. Jenn Colella won for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of American Airlines pilot Beverley Bass.
See the full list of nominees here.
Also among the new works recognized this season were The Band’s Visit (Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical), Oslo (Outstanding New Broadway Play), and If I Forget (Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play).
Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon, doing double-duty in The Little Foxes on Broadway, were both honored for their performances, with Linney earning Outstanding Actress in a Play and Nixon taking Outstanding Featured Actress.
Because the Off-Broadway productions of Dear Evan Hansen, In Transit, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, and Significant Other were evaluated from Outer Critics Circle in previous seasons, they were not considered eligible in certain categories this year. Any new elements that were added for their Broadway transfers were assessed for this year’s awards.
Winners follow:
Outstanding New Broadway Play
Oslo, by J.T. Rogers
Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Come From Away, by Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
If I Forget, by Steven Levenson
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
The Band’s Visit, by Itamar Moses and David Yazbek
Outstanding Book Of a Musical
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Irene Sankoff & David Hein, Come From Away
Outstanding New Score
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
David Yazbek, The Band’s Visit
Outstanding Revival Of a Play
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Jitney
Outstanding Revival Of a Musical
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Hello, Dolly!
Outstanding Director Of a Play
Rebecca Taichman, Indecent
Outstanding Director Of a Musical
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
Outstanding Choreographer
Warren Carlyle, Hello, Dolly!
Outstanding Set Design
(Play or Musical)
Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Outstanding Costume Design
(Play or Musical)
Catherine Zuber, War Paint
Outstanding Lighting Design
(Play or Musical)
Bradley King, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Outstanding Projection Design
(Play or Musical)
Aaron Rhyne, Anastasia
Outstanding Sound Design
(Play or Musical)
Gareth Owen, Come From Away
Outstanding Orchestrations
Larry Hochman, Hello, Dolly!
Outstanding Actor in a Play
Kevin Kline, Present Laughter
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Laura Linney, The Little Foxes
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Andy Karl, Groundhog Day
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Bette Midler, Hello, Dolly!
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Danny DeVito, The Price
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Cynthia Nixon, The Little Foxes
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Gavin Creel, Hello, Dolly!
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Jenn Colella, Come From Away
Outstanding Solo Performance
Simon McBurney, The Encounter
John Gassner Award
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Bess Wohl, Small Mouth Sounds
The 67th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards ceremony will be held May 25 at 3 PM at Sardi's Restaurant.
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