Cole Escola And Conrad Ricamora Announce Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations
Broadway stars from 'Oh, Mary!' announce nominees at special ceremony
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The Broadway awards season has officially kicked off with an anticipated announcement event at The Museum of Broadway. Stars Cole Escola and Conrad Ricamora from the hit play “OH, MARY!” took center stage to reveal this year’s Outer Critics Circle Award nominations.
The Museum of Broadway hosted the announcement ceremony where Escola and Ricamora revealed the productions and performers competing for the prestigious awards. The announcement marks one of the first major nomination reveals of the theater awards circuit, traditionally considered the start of Broadway’s awards season.
In images from the event, Escola and Ricamora can be seen at the podium presenting the nominations list, with both dressed smartly for the occasion. Additional photos capture the duo posing together and engaging with attendees at the museum’s colorful space, which celebrates Broadway history.
The Outer Critics Circle, one of the theater’s respected voting bodies, consists of writers and commentators covering New York theater for out-of-town publications, national outlets, and other media beyond Broadway. Their annual awards recognize excellence in both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.
While the specific nominees weren’t detailed in the announcement post, the Outer Critics Circle typically honors achievements across multiple categories including outstanding new Broadway play, musical, revival, direction, and various performance categories.
Cole Escola and Conrad Ricamora, who made the announcements, are currently starring in the critically-acclaimed production “OH, MARY!” Escola, who wrote the play, stars as Mary Todd Lincoln in what has become one of the season’s breakout hits. Ricamora, known for his roles in “Here Lies Love” and television’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” co-stars in the production.
The play, which offers a comedic and unconventional take on Mary Todd Lincoln, has been generating significant buzz since its opening, making Escola and Ricamora fitting presenters for this awards season kickoff.
Museum Of Broadway
The choice of The Museum of Broadway as the venue for the nomination announcement highlights the institution’s growing importance in New York’s theater community. Since opening, the museum has become a cultural landmark in Times Square, celebrating Broadway’s rich history and artistry.
The museum has been actively hosting industry events and special programs. Recent activities include a cast album signing with stars from “Once Upon a Mattress” including Sutton Foster, Michael Urie, and Ana Gasteyer, as well as a merchandise signing with the cast and co-creators of “Operation Mincemeat.”
The museum also recently celebrated the opening of several new Broadway productions, including “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” “Floyd Collins” starring Jeremy Jordan, and “Pirates! The Penzance Musical” at Roundabout Theatre Company.
Broadway’s Busy Season
The Outer Critics Circle nomination announcement signals the beginning of Broadway’s awards season, which typically runs from April through June. The season includes major honors like the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama League Awards, and the Lucille Lortel Awards for Off-Broadway, and culminates with the Tony Awards in June.
For Broadway productions, these weeks represent a crucial period where recognition can boost ticket sales and extend a show’s run. The Outer Critics Circle Awards are particularly significant as they often serve as early indicators for Tony Award prospects.
As one museum social media post aptly stated regarding the event: “It’s not awards season without a presidential address,” referencing Escola’s role as Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, in “OH, MARY!”
With the nominations now announced, Broadway enthusiasts will be watching closely as the awards season progresses, culminating in June when winners across all major theater awards will be revealed.
The Museum of Broadway continues its role as a cultural hub for theater lovers with upcoming events, including a special celebration of “Legally Blonde” on April 29th featuring reunion panels with the original Broadway cast and participants from “The Search for Elle Woods.”
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