Massachusetts' Barrington Stage Company has named Michael R. Jackson the winner of the 2025 William Finn Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre. Jackson, a Pulitzer and Tony winner for his A Strange Loop, will receive the honor at the company's fall gala, set for October 27 at Chelsea Table + Stage.

BSC created the award in 2017, with past honorees including Joe Iconis, John Rando, and Mary Testa. The award honors the theatre's long association with the late Finn, the songwriting mind behind such musicals as Falsettos, A New Brain, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The latter began at BSC before coming to New York, and Finn headed the company's new musical development for many years. Jackson will be the award's first winner honored since Finn's passing earlier this year.

Jackson is best known for his landmark musical A Strange Loop; his White Girl in Danger and Teeth have subsequently been produced Off-Broadway.

“Michael R. Jackson is one of the most thrilling and original voices in musical theatre today. His work is sharply funny, deeply insightful, emotionally raw, and unexpectedly tender,” says BSC Artistic Director Alan Paul. “Michael was mentored by William Finn, who held a deep admiration for both Michael and his writing. Like Bill's own work, Michael’s musicals are bold, distinctive, and full of character—making him a fitting recipient of the first William Finn Award since Bill’s passing. In honoring Michael, we pay tribute to Bill’s legacy while celebrating the vibrant future of musical theatre.”

The upcoming gala will also pay tribute to BSC Board Member Emeritus Eda Sorokoff, in a performance directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and music directed by Billy Stritch. Norm Lewis will host, with Hugh Panaro, Donna McKechnie, and Storm Large set to appear.

Visit BarringtonStageCo.org.