The New York Drama Critics' Circle has released the winners of its 2025 awards, with Maybe Happy Ending and Purpose taking the biggest prizes, Best Musical and Best Play, respectively. Both are also nominated for their counterpoint categories at the 2025 Tony Awards, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama May 5.
In categories new to this year's edition of the awards, Andrew Scott took Best Individual Performance for his work in Vanya, and the cast of Liberation won Best Ensemble Performance. The group also awarded special citations to Cole Escola for Oh, Mary!; and Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" at PAC NYC; as well as David Greenspan for lifetime achievement.
This year's winners will be honored at a private ceremony May 15. As a part of his win, Jacobs-Jenkins will receive a cash prize of $2,500.
The New York Drama Critics Circle counts 23 New York-area drama critics in its membership, representing daily newspapers, magazines, wire services, and websites. Their awards have been given annually since 1936, making it the second-oldest American playwriting award, after the Pulitzer. Time Out NY's Adam Feldman is president of the group, and TheaterMania's Zachary Stewart is vice president. Helen Shaw of The New Yorker is treasurer. The current membership also includes David Barbour, David Cote, Joe Dziemianowicz, Greg Evans, Rhoda Feng, David Finkle, Elysa Gardner, Robert Hofler, Sara Holdren, Charles Isherwood, Chris Jones, Soraya Nadia McDonald, Jackson McHenry, Johnny Oleksinski, Brittani Samuel, Frank Scheck, David Sheward, Tim Teeman, Elisabeth Vincentelli, and Matt Windman.
It is officially awards season in the New York theatre scene with all eyes on the Tony Awards, which will be handed out June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. Lucille Lortel Award winners were named May 4, Drama Desk Award winners will be named June 1, the Drama League Awards will be held May 16, and the Chita Rivera Awards will be May 19.
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