Frontmezzjunkies reports: Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Schmigadoon!, and The Balusters headline a richly diverse list of Drama Desk Winners
By Ross
One of the things I cherish most about the Drama Desk Awards is the way they throw open the doors to the entire New York theatre community. Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway all meet on equal footing, allowing large-scale revivals, intimate new musicals, and daring experimental work to occupy the same conversation. Looking at this year’s winners felt like a joyful reunion that consistently surprised, challenged, and moved me, while celebrating many productions and artists whose work has lingered in my mind long after the review was posted.
The 2026 Drama Desk Awards, announced this week, honour a season defined by remarkable breadth and artistic ambition. Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy led Ragtime to an impressive five wins, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and leading performance honours for both stars. Death of a Salesman and Oedipus followed closely with four awards each, while Schmigadoon! was named Outstanding Musical and The Balusters received the award for Outstanding Play.
Many other productions currently running or recently seen around New York were also recognized. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) earned Outstanding Lyrics, Becky Shaw scored a welcome acting win for Alden Ehrenreich, and Mexodus, Kenrex, and Amaze each took home significant Off-Broadway honours. The awards also recognized outstanding design and technical achievements, along with a series of special awards celebrating ensemble work, innovative collaboration, and artists whose contributions continue to expand the possibilities of live performance.
What makes the Drama Desk Awards so exciting is their ability to capture the full ecosystem of theatre-making in a single moment. This year’s winners are a thrilling bunch, from the emotional force of Ragtime and Death of a Salesman to the haunting precision of Oedipus, the joyous wit of Schmigadoon!, and the intimate charm of Two Strangers. Together, these awards preserve a vivid snapshot of a season powered by risk, imagination, and the enduring magic that occurs when artists and audiences meet in the same room. And I couldn’t be more thrilled that they have been so honoured.
FULL LIST OF 2026 DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINEES AND ***WINNERS***:
Outstanding Play
Caroline, Preston Max Allen
Cold War Choir Practice, Ro Reddick
Meet the Cartozians, Talene Monahon
Prince Faggot, Jordan Tannahill
***The Balusters, David Lindsay-Abaire***WINNER***
The Porch on Windy Hill, Sherry Stregnack Lutken, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse & David M. Lutken
Well, I’ll Let You Go, Bubba Weiler
Outstanding Musical
Beau the Musical
Mexodus
***Schmigadoon!***WINNER***
The Seat of Our Pants
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Outstanding Revival of a PlayBecky Shaw
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
***Death of a Salesman***WINNER***
Los Soles Truncos
Titus Andronicus
You Got Older
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Chess
***Ragtime***WINNER***
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Baker’s Wife
The Rocky Horror Show
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Well, I’ll Let You Go
Noah Galvin, The Reservoir
Synnøve Karlsen, Pygmalion
John Krasinski, Angry Alan
Nathan Lane, Death of a Salesman
***John Lithgow, Giant***WINNER***
***Lesley Manville, Oedipus***WINNER***
Laurie Metcalf, Death of a Salesman
Aigner Mizzelle, The Monsters
Patrick Page, Titus Andronicus
Anika Noni Rose, The Balusters
Kara Young, Gruesome Playground Injuries
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Nicholas Christopher, Chess
Micaela Diamond, The Seat of Our Pants
Luke Evans, The Rocky Horror Show
***Joshua Henry, Ragtime***WINNER***
Dulé Hill, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Amber Iman, Goddess
***Caissie Levy, Ragtime***WINNER***
Brian Quijada, Mexodus
Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Matt Rodin, Beau the Musical
Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Caroline Aaron, The Reservoir
Edoardo Benzoni, Are the Bennet Girls Ok?
Maria-Christina Oliveras, The Balusters
Nathan Darrow, (un)conditional
Emily Davis, Well, I’ll Let You Go
West Duchovny, Diversion
***Alden Ehrenreich, Becky Shaw***WINNER***
Linda Emond, Becky Shaw
David Greenspan, Prince Faggot
River Lipe-Smith, Caroline
Lizan Mitchell, Cold War Choir Practice
***Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone***WINNER***
Richard Thomas, The Balusters
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
Chris Blisset, Beau the Musical
Max Clayton, Schmigadoon!
Lilli Cooper, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Stephanie Hsu, The Rocky Horror Show
***Judy Kuhn, The Baker’s Wife***WINNER***
McKenzie Kurtz, Schmigadoon!
Ruthie Ann Miles, The Seat of Our Pants
Erin Morton, Heathers the Musical
Jackson Kanawha Perry, Saturday Church
Jasmine Amy Rogers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
***Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime***WINNER***
Layton Williams, Titaníque
Outstanding Solo Performance
Savon Bartley, Holes in the Shape of My Father
***Jack Holden, Kenrex***WINNER***
Hailey McAfee, and her Children
Natalie Palamides, Weer
Julia McDermott, Weather Girl
Josh Sharp, ta-da!
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Jesse Berger, Titus Andronicus
David Cromer, Caroline
Trip Cullman, Becky Shaw
Kenny Leon, The Balusters
***Joe Mantello, Death of a Salesman***WINNER***
Tarell Alvin McCraney and Bijan Sheibani, The Brothers Size
Jack Serio, Well, I’ll Let You Go
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
***Lear deBessonet, Ragtime***WINNER***
Gordon Greenberg, The Baker’s Wife
Danny Mefford, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
David Mendizábal, Mexodus
Josh Rhodes, Beau the Musical
Leigh Silverman, The Seat of Our Pants
Outstanding Choreography
***Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!***WINNER***
Jared Grimes (tap choreography), Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Natalie Malotke, Jonathan Platero, and Oksana Platero, Blood/Love
Toran X. Moore, Try/Step/Trip
***Omari Wiles & Arturo Lyons, Cats: The Jellicle Ball***WINNER***
Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, The Lost Boys (includes aerial choreography)
Outstanding Music
The Lazours (Daniel Lazour and Patrick Lazour), Night Side Songs
Ethan Lipton, The Seat of Our Pants
Douglas Lyons, Beau the Musical
Michael Thurber, Goddess
***Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus***WINNER***
Outstanding Lyrics
***Jim Barne & Kit Buchan, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)***WINNER***
Dahlak Brathwaite, Try/Step/Trip
Ethan Lipton, The Seat of Our Pants
Douglas Lyons, Beau the Musical
Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Dahlak Brathwaite, Try/Step/Trip
Ethan Lipton, The Seat of Our Pants
Douglas Lyons, Beau the Musical
Jesse Malin & Lauren Ludwig, Silver Manhattan
***Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus***WINNER***
Outstanding Orchestrations
Bryan Carter (music supervisor and arranger), The Fear of 13
Daniel Kluger, The Seat of Our Pants
***David M. Lutken, Morgan Morse, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Sherry Stregnack Lutken, The Porch on Windy Hill***WINNER***
John McDaniel, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
The Bengsons & Or Matias, My Joy is Heavy
Outstanding Music in a Play
***John Patrick Elliott, Kenrex***WINNER***
Donald Lawrence, Oh Happy Day!
Stan Mathabane (composer) and Munir Zakee (musician), The Brothers Size
Johnathan Moore, The Imaginary Invalid (Molière in the Park)
Ro Reddick, Cold War Choir Practice
Darron L West and Alexander Sovronsky, The Wild Duck
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
Harry Feiner, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
Soutra Gilmour, Waiting for Godot
Tatiana Kahvegian, Meet the Cartozians
***Chloe Lamford, Death of a Salesman***WINNER***
Derek McLane, The Adding Machine
Derek McLane, The Balusters
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Daniel Allen, Beau the Musical
dots, The Rocky Horror Show
Rachel Hauck, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
***Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys***WINNER***
Arnulfo Maldonado, Goddess
Jason Sherwood, The Baker’s Wife
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Kindall Almond, Initiative
Enver Chakartash, Meet the Cartozians
Enver Chakartash, Tartuffe (New York Theatre Workshop)
Qween Jean, Oh Happy Day!
Emilio Sosa, The Balusters
***Paul Tazewell, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone***WINNER***
Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
***Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball***WINNER***
Qween Jean, Saturday Church
David I. Reynoso, The Rocky Horror Show
Kaye Voyce, The Seat of Our Pants
Catherine Zuber, The Baker’s Wife
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Isabella Byrd, Prince Faggot
Jeff Croiter, The Adding Machine
Stacey Derosier, Well, I’ll Let You Go
***Jack Knowles, Death of a Salesman***WINNER***
Kate McGee, without mirrors
Studio Luna, Marcel on the Train
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Mextly Couzin, Mexodus
Adam Honoré, Amahl and the Night Visitors
Adam Honoré and Donald Holder, Ragtime
Adam Honoré and Japhy Weideman, Beau the Musical
Bradley King, The Baker’s Wife
***Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys***WINNER***
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play
Angela Baughman, Initiative
Caroline Eng, The Unknown
***Tom Gibbons, Oedipus***WINNER***
Kieran Lucas, Weather Girl
Nevin Steinberg, Anna Christie
Giles Thomas, Kenrex
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical
Jordana Abrencia, Beau the Musical
Jason Crystal, The Baker’s Wife
***Mikhail Fiskel, Mexodus (includes looping systems architecture)***WINNER***
Kai Harada, Ragtime
Alex Hawthorn and Drew Levy, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
David Bengali, My Joy is Heavy
Akhila Krishnan, Kyoto
Johnny Moreno, Mexodus
***Tal Yarden, Oedipus***WINNER***
Outstanding Wig and Hair
Alberto “Albee” Alvarado, The Rocky Horror Show
David Brian Brown, The Lost Boys
David Brian Brown and Victoria Tinsman, Fallen Angels
***Nikiya Mathis, Cats: The Jellicle Ball***WINNER***
Robert Pickens, Tartuffe (New York Theatre Workshop)
Outstanding Puppetry
***Axtell Expressions, Amaze***WINNER***
Emily Batsford (creator) and Yuliya Tsukerman (puppet design), Cumulo Julian Crouch, Goddess
Monkey Boys Productions, The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire
Outstanding Fight Choreography
***Gerry Rodriguez, The Monsters***WINNER***
Thomas Schall, The Balusters
Rick Sordelet, Titus Andronicus
Rick Sordelet, Ulster American
Sordelet Inc., The Lost Boys
Outstanding Adaptation
and her Children, Rosie Glen-Lambert and Hailey McAfee
Are the Bennet Girls Ok?, Emily Breeze
***Oedipus, Robert Icke***WINNER***
Pride & Prejudice, Abigail Pickard Price, with Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches
Room 204, Taylor Massa
The Imaginary Invalid (Molière in the Park), Lucie Tiberghien
Outstanding Revue
***About Time***WINNER***
Baile Cangrejero
I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical
Unique Theatrical Experience
Amaze
***Burnout Paradise***WINNER***
Color Theories
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Rheology
Slanted Floors
Special Awards
Ensemble Awards The resonant quartet of Second Stage Theater’s revival of Marjorie Prime—Danny Burstein, Christopher Lowell, Cynthia Nixon, and June Squibb—who palpably tap into the emotions that make us human, even when playing AI versions of their characters, in Jordan Harrison’s prescient play about memory, aging, technology, and grief.
The cast of Intar Theatre’s Spread—Daniel Bravo Hernández, Ricardy Fabre, Danny Gómez, Ishmael Gonzalez, and Jaden Perez—for creating warm camaraderie and individual vulnerability, bringing heft to Jesús I. Valles’s sharply observant and deeply compassionate coming-of-age tale of adolescents bravely facing challenges, current and future.
Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award To the creative and performance collaborators Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland for their disparate historical-literary-interpretive works this season: A Letter to Lyndon B. Johnson or God and What If They Ate The Baby? Their absurdist sensibilities test the parameters of several genres and movement styles, including immersive historical drama, physical theatre games, and 1950s American domestic realism, and invite new appreciation for all of them.
Additional Special AwardsThe epic yet intimate Initiative gave us the full high school experience, making five-plus hours in the theatre somehow feel like no time at all thanks to the collective of writer Else Went, director Emma Rosa Went, and the extraordinary ensemble cast of Olivia Rose Barresi, Brandon Burk, Greg Cuellar, Harrison Densmore, Carson Higgins, Andrea Lopez Alvarez, Jamie Sanders, and Christopher Dylan White. Collaborating over almost nine years, the Initiative team tapped into the world of D&D to illuminate the magic that can be found in devoting time to process, showing how the richness of a shared language can conjure community, produce ambitious art, and captivate audiences.
