Frontmezzjunkies reports: Off-Broadway honors celebrate a wide field, with one production rising above the rest
The night unfolded with the kind of anticipation that only Off-Broadway can generate, where discovery and recognition sit side by side, and the sense of possibility feels just as present as the awards themselves. Sitting with the results of the 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards, what emerges is not just a list of winners, but a portrait of a season defined by range, risk, and a willingness to tell stories that do not fit neatly into a single mold.
At the center of that portrait stands Mexodus, the Audible Theater production that claimed four awards, including Outstanding Musical. It entered the evening as the most nominated show of the season, and it leaves as its most decorated, recognized not only for its overall impact but for the specificity of its artistry. Direction by David Mendizábal, sound design by Mikhail Fiksel, and a leading performance by writer-star Nygel D. Robinson all contributed to a production that clearly resonated across multiple branches of the voting body. It is the only title of the evening to win more than once, a distinction that quietly underscores just how strongly it connected.
Beyond that singular sweep, the awards spread their recognition widely, offering a reminder of the breadth of work happening across Off- and Off-Off-Broadway. Jordan Tannahill’s Prince Faggot took Outstanding Play, while The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee found new life in the Revival category. Performance honors highlighted a diverse group of artists, including Aigner Mizzelle for The Monsters, Nick Rashad Burroughs for Goddess, and David Turner for Mother Russia, each contributing to a season marked by deeply individual and distinct voices.
The evening itself, hosted by Alex Moffat at NYU Skirball, carried that same sense of variety and celebration. A wide array of presenters reflected the community’s reach, while special honors brought moments of reflection into the ceremony. Mia Katigbak received a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a lasting contribution to the field, and the late William Finn was posthumously honored with induction onto the Playwrights’ Sidewalk, accompanied by performances that paid tribute to his enduring influence.
What takes shape across the evening is a balance between singular achievement and collective strength. Mexodus may stand at the forefront, but the broader list of winners reveals a landscape where many kinds of stories are being told, each finding its own way to resonate. It is that combination, one production breaking through while many others leave their mark, that defines this year’s Lortel Awards and gives the season its texture.
With that in mind, here is the full list of this year’s winners:
Outstanding Play
Cold War Choir Practice, by Ro Reddick
Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson
THE MONSTERS, by Ngozi Anyanwu
Mother Russia, by Lauren Yee
WINNER – Prince Faggot, by Jordan Tannahill
Outstanding Musical
BIGFOOT!, book by Amber Ruffin and Kevin Sciretta, lyrics by Amber Ruffin, music by David Schmoll and Amber Ruffin
WINNER – Mexodus, by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson
My Joy Is Heavy, by The Bengsons
Night Side Songs, words and music by The Lazours
Saturday Church, book and additional Lyrics by Damon Cardasis and James Ijames, music by Sia, additional music by Honey Dijon
Outstanding Revival
WINNER – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin
Bus Stop, by William Inge
Gruesome Playground Injuries, by Rajiv Joseph
Titus Andronicus, by William Shakespeare
The Weir, by Conor McPherson
Outstanding Solo Show
Hold Me in the Water, written and performed by Ryan J. Haddad
WINNER – I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan, by Mona Pirnot and performed by David Greenspan
Nothing Can Take You From The Hand Of God, written by Jen Tullock and Frank Winters, performed by Jen Tullock
Other, written and performed by Ari’el Stachel
The Unknown, by David Cale and performed by Sean Hayes
Outstanding Director
Knud Adams, Cold War Choir Practice
Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Prince Faggot
Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, Kyoto
WINNER – David Mendizábal, Mexodus
Keenan Tyler Oliphant, Practice
Outstanding Choreographer
WINNER – Edgar Godineaux and Jared Grimes, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Darrell Grand Moultrie, GODDESS
Darrell Grand Moultrie, Saturday Church
Tony Thomas, Mexodus
Rickey Tripp, THE MONSTERS
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play
Noah Galvin, The Reservoir
Marin Ireland, Queens
John Krasinski, Angry Alan
WINNER – Aigner Mizzelle, THE MONSTERS
Okieriete Onaodowan, THE MONSTERS
Susannah Perkins, Antigone (This Play I Read In High School)
Kara Young, Gruesome Playground Injuries
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play
Jorge Bosch, Kyoto
Felicia Curry, Bowl EP
Crystal Finn, Cold War Choir Practice
David Greenspan, Prince Faggot
Lizan Mitchell, Cold War Choir Practice
Deirdre O’Connell, Glass. Kill. What If If Only. Imp.
WINNER – David Turner, Mother Russia
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
Abigail Bengson, My Joy Is Heavy
J. Harrison Ghee, Saturday Church
Dulé Hill, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Ruthie Ann Miles, The Seat of Our Pants
Brian Quijada, Mexodus
WINNER – Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Daniel J. Watts, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical
WINNER – Nick Rashad Burroughs, GODDESS
Judy Kuhn, The Baker’s Wife
Erin Morton, Heathers The Musical
Stephanie Jae Park, Monte Cristo
Caleb Quezon, Saturday Church
Natalie Walker, The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse
Lynne Wintersteller, About Time
.Outstanding Ensemble
Initiative — Olivia Rose Barresi, Brandon Burk, Greg Cuellar, Harrison Densmore, Carson Higgins, Andrea Lopez Alvarez, Jamie Sanders, Christopher Dylan White
WINNER – Night Side Songs — Robin de Jesús, Brooke Ishibashi, Jonathan Raviv, Kris Saint-Louis, Mary Testa
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee— Philippe Arroyo, Autumn Best, Leana Rae Concepcion, Justin Cooley, Lilli Cooper, Jason Kravits, Matt Manuel, Kevin McHale, Jasmine Amy Rogers
Outstanding Scenic Design
WINNER – Miriam Buether, Glass. Kill. What If If Only. Imp.
Afsoon Pajoufar, Cold War Choir Practice
Riw Rakkulchon, Mexodus
Adam Rigg and Anton Volovsek, Bowl EP
David Zinn, Prince Faggot
Outstanding Costume Design
Montana Levi Blanco, Prince Faggot
Enver Chakartash, TARTUFFE
WINNER – Qween Jean, Saturday Church
Celeste Jennings, minor.ity
Kaye Voyce, The Seat of Our Pants
Outstanding Lighting Design
Isabella Byrd, Glass. Kill. What If If Only. Imp.
Isabella Byrd, Prince Faggot
Mextly Couzin, Mexodus
WINNER – Cha See, The Unknown
Studio Luna, Marcel on the Train
Outstanding Sound Design
Caroline Eng, The Unknown
WINNER – Mikhail Fiksel, Mexodus
Ryan Gamblin, Bowl EP
Drew Levy, The Weir
Bray Poor, Eurydice
Outstanding Projection Design
David Bengali, My Joy Is Heavy
Stefania Bulbarella, Nothing Can Take You From The Hand Of God
Akhila Krishnan, Kyoto
Johnny Moreno, Mexodus
WINNER – John Narun, Bughouse
HONORARY AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement: Mia Katigbak
Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee: William Finn
Productions with multiple wins:
Mexodus – 4
The Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
Visit LortelAwards.org.
