Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play

Outer Critics Circle Award for
Best New Off-Broadway Play
Awarded forBest New Off-Broadway Play
LocationNew York City
Presented byOuter Critics Circle
Currently held byLiberation by Bess Wohl (2025)
WebsiteOuterCritics.org

The Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Off-Broadway Play is an annual award given to the best new (non-musical) play running Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The awards have existed since 1949–1950 season, but this category was added in 1982, when the categories split into Broadway and Off-Broadway.[1]

Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play won the first award in 1982.[2] Horton Foote and Joshua Harmon have won the most awards with two each. Samuel D. Hunter has received the most nominations with five, followed closely by Bruce Norris with four. Since its inception, ten women have received the award, with the first being Tina Howe in 1984 for Painting Churches.

Award winners

Key
  and bold indicates the winner.

1980s

Year Production Author Ref.
1982
A Soldier's Play Charles Fuller [3]
1983
Extremities William Mastrosimone [4]
1984
Painting Churches Tina Howe [5]
1985
The Foreigner Larry Shue [6]
1986
A Lie of the Mind Sam Shepard [7]
1987
The Common Pursuit Simon Gray [8]
1988
Driving Miss Daisy Alfred Uhry [9]
1989
The Heidi Chronicles Wendy Wasserstein [10]

1990s

Year Production Author Ref.
1990
Prelude to a Kiss Craig Lucas [11][12]
1991
The Sum of Us David Stephens [13]
Unchanging Love Romulus Linney
Remembrance Graham Reid
Life During Wartime Keith Reddin
1992
Marvin's Room Scott McPherson [14]
Lips Together, Teeth Apart Terrence McNally
Grandchild of Kings Sean O'Casey
Sights Unseen Donald Margulies
1993
Jeffrey Paul Rudnick [15][16]
Distant Fires Kevin Heelan
Oleanna David Mamet
Wrong Turn at Lungfish Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz
1994
Three Tall Women Edward Albee [17]
1995
Camping with Henry and Tom Mark St. Germain [18][19]
Distant Fires Kevin Heelan
London Suite Neil Simon
Vita and Virginia Eileen Atkins
1996
Molly Sweeney Brian Friel [20]
Picasso at the Lapin Agile Steve Martin
Mrs. Klein Nicholas Wright
Nixon's Nixon Russell Lees
The Food Chain Nicky Silver
1997
How I Learned to Drive Paula Vogel [21][22]
A Question of Mercy David Rabe
Bunny Bunny Alan Zweibel
Stonewall Jackson's House Jonathan Reynolds
1998
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde Moisés Kaufman [23][24]
Never the Sinner John Logan
Side Man Warren Leight
The Cripple of Inishmaan Martin McDonagh
1999
Wit Margaret Edson [25][26]
The Mineola Twins Paula Vogel
Stop Kiss Diana Son
Snakebit David Marshall Grant

2000s

Year Production Author Ref.
2000
Dinner with Friends Donald Margulies [27][28]
An Experiment with an Air Pump Shelagh Stephenson
Dirty Blonde Claudia Shear
2001
Jitney August Wilson [29][30]
Comic Potential Alan Ayckbourn
Lobby Hero Kenneth Lonergan
Ten Unknowns Jon Robin Baitz
2002
The Dazzle Richard Greenberg [31][32]
36 Views Naomi Iizuka
The Matchmaker John B. Keane
Franz Kafka's The Castle David Fishelson
2003
The Exonerated Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen [33][34]
Talking Heads Alan Bennett
Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-Abaire
Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme Frank McGuinness
2004
Intimate Apparel Lynn Nottage [35][36]
Well Lisa Kron
Frozen Bryony Lavery
Bug Tracy Letts
The Beard of Avon Amy Freed
2005
Fat Pig Neil LaBute [37][38]
Going to St. Ives Lee Blessing
Moonlight and Magnolias Ron Hutchinson
Romance David Mamet
String of Pearls Michele Lowe
2006
Stuff Happens David Hare [39][40]
Tryst Karoline Leach
Beauty of the Father Nilo Cruz
In the Continuum Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter
2007
Indian Blood A. R. Gurney [41][42]
The Pain and the Itch Bruce Norris
The Scene Theresa Rebeck
Exits and Entrances Athol Fugard
2008
Dividing the Estate Horton Foote [43][44]
The Receptionist Adam Bock
The Drunken City
From Up Here Liz Flahive
2009
Ruined Ayad Akhtar [45][46]
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment Donald Margulies
Why Torture Is Wrong, And The People Who Love Them Christopher Durang
Farragut North Beau Willimon

2010s

Year Production Author Ref.
2010
The Orphans' Home Cycle Horton Foote [47][48]
The Temperamentals Jon Marans
The Pride Alexi Kaye Campbell
Clybourne Park Bruce Norris
2011
Other Desert Cities Jon Robin Baitz [49][50]
The Other Place Sharr White
Kin Max Dickins
Blood From a Stone Tommy Nohilly
2012
Sons of the Prophet Stephen Karam [51][52]
Blood and Gifts JT Rogers
The School for Lies David Ives
Tribes Nina Raine
2013
My Name Is Asher Lev Chaim Potok [53][54]
The Whale Samuel D. Hunter
Really Really Paul Downs Colaizzo
Cock Mike Bartlett
Bad Jews Joshua Harmon
2014
The Explorers Club Nell Benjamin [55][56]
Appropriate Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Choir Boy Tarell Alvin McCraney
The Heir Apparent David Ives
Stage Kiss Sarah Ruhl
2015
Between Riverside and Crazy Stephen Adly Guirgis [57][58]
The City of Conversation Anthony Giardina
The Nether Jennifer Haley
Rasheeda Speaking Joel Drake Johnson
The Village Bike Penelope Skinner
2016
The Christians Lucas Hnath [59][60][61]
Familiar Danai Gurira
Gloria Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Hold On to Me Darling Kenneth Lonergan
The Legend of Georgia McBride Matthew Lopez
2017
If I Forget Steven Levenson [62][63]
Familiar Danai Gurira
Incognito Nick Payne
Linda Penelope Skinner
Love, Love, Love Mike Bartlett
2018
Admissions Joshua Harmon [64][65]
Mlima's Tale Lynn Nottage
The Low Road Bruce Norris
Cost of Living Martyna Majok
Hangmen Martin McDonagh
2019
White Noise Suzan-Lori Parks [66][67]
Fairview Jackie Sibblies
The House That Will Not Stand Marcus Gardley
Lewiston/Clarkston Samuel D. Hunter
The Light Loy A. Webb

2020s

Year Production Author Ref.
2020 (Honorees) Cambodian Rock Band Lauren Yee [68]
Greater Clements Samuel D. Hunter
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Stephen Adly Guirgis
Make Believe Bess Wohl
Seared Theresa Rebeck
2021 No awards given due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
Prayer for the French Republic Joshua Harmon [69]
Morning Sun Simon Stephens
On Sugarland Aleshea Harris
Sanctuary City Martyna Majok
The Chinese Lady Lloyd Suh
2023
Downstate Bruce Norris [70]
Becomes a Woman Betty Smith
Letters from Max, a Ritual Sarah Ruhl
A Case for the Existence of God Samuel D. Hunter
Chester Bailey Joseph Dougherty
2024
Primary Trust Eboni Booth [71]
King of the Jews Leslie Epstein
Dig Theresa Rebeck
Swing State Rebecca Gilman
King James Rajiv Joseph
2025
Liberation Bess Wohl [72][73]
Here There Are Blueberries Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich
Grangeville Samuel D. Hunter
The Antiquities Jordan Harrison
Table 17 Douglas Lyons

Multiple wins

2 wins

Multiple nominations

5 nominations
4 nominations
3 nominations
2 nominations

See also

References

  1. ^ "1981–1982 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  2. ^ "1981–1982 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. ^ "1981–1982 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "1982–1983 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  5. ^ "1983-1984 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "1984–1985 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  7. ^ "1985–1986 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "1986–1987 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  9. ^ "1987–1988 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  10. ^ "1988–1989 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Rich, Frank (May 1, 1990). "Outer Critics Awards to Grapes and Angels". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "1989–1990 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  13. ^ "1990–1991 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  14. ^ "1991–1992 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Rich, Frank (April 27, 1993). "Outer Critics Circle Names Award Winners". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "1992–1993 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  17. ^ "1993–1994 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  18. ^ "Outer Critics Float Show Boat". Variety. April 1995. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  19. ^ "1994–1995 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "1995–1996 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  21. ^ Lefkowitz, David (May 5, 1997). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  22. ^ "1996–1997 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Viagas & Lefkowitz (April 27, 1998). "Lion King Roars With Six Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  24. ^ "1997–1998 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "Nightingales, Wit, Iceman & Fosse Win Outer Critics Awards; Ceremony May 28". Playbill. April 26, 1999. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  26. ^ "1998–1999 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  27. ^ "Contact and Kiss Me, Kate Big Winners of 2000 Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. April 30, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  28. ^ "1999–2000 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  29. ^ Simonson & Lefkowitz (May 24, 2001). "2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards Held at Sardi's, May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  30. ^ "2000–2001 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  31. ^ "The 2001–2002 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners". TheaterMania. April 29, 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  32. ^ "2001–2002 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  33. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 5, 2003). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Hairspray Leads the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  34. ^ "2002–2003 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  35. ^ "Wicked, Wonderful Town, I Am My Own Wife Top 2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. May 2, 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  36. ^ "2003–2004 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  37. ^ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 9, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  38. ^ "2004–2005 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  39. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (May 14, 2006). "The Drowsy Chaperone and The History Boys Top Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "2005–2006 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  41. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 24, 2007). "Outer Critics Circle Awards Are Presented by Clark, Young and Mitchell May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  42. ^ "2006–2007 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  43. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2008). "South Pacific Is Big Winner in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  44. ^ "2007–2008 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  45. ^ "Outer Critics Circle 2008–09 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 11, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "2008–2009 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  47. ^ "MEMPHIS & LA CAGE Top Outer Critics Circle Winners". BroadwayWorld. May 17, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  48. ^ "2009–2010 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  49. ^ "The Book of Mormon, War Horse and Anything Goes Top 2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  50. ^ "2010–2011 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  51. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 14, 2012). "Outer Critics Circle Winners Announced; Once and One Man, Two Guvnors Are Top Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  52. ^ "2011–2012 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  53. ^ "Outer Critics Circle 2013 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 13, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  54. ^ "2012–2013 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  55. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  56. ^ "2013–2014 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  57. ^ "Outer Critics Circle Awards 2015: Full List". Variety. April 27, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  58. ^ "2014–2015 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  59. ^ "Outer Critics Circle Honors 'She Loves Me' and 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'". The New York Times. May 9, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  60. ^ Viagas, Robert (May 9, 2016). "Bright Star and The Humans Win Top 2016 NY Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  61. ^ "2015–2016 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  62. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 8, 2017). "2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Come From Away & More Win Top Prizes". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  63. ^ "2016–2017 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  64. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 7, 2018). "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, My Fair Lady Win Big at 2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  65. ^ "2017–2018 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  66. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 13, 2019). "Hadestown Leads Winners of 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  67. ^ "2018–2019 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  68. ^ Olivia Clement (May 11, 2020). "Moulin Rouge! Leads 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honorees". Playbill.
  69. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 17, 2022). "The Lehman Trilogy Leads 2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Six Wins Best Musical; See the Complete List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  70. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 16, 2023). "Some Like It Hot Dominates 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  71. ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-08-19. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  72. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  73. ^ Evans, Greg (2025-04-25). "'Death Becomes Her' Broadway Musical Leads Outer Critics Circle Award Nominees – Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
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