Off-Broadway’s Bold Voices Take Center Stage At The Lucille Lortel Awards

Since 1986, the Lucille Lortel Awards have been celebrating excellence in Off-Broadway theater. Named for visionary producer Lucille Lortel, who was called “Queen of Off Broadway,” the awards honor her legacy.

In her seven-decade career, Lortel was known for nurturing new playwrights, actors, directors and designers. She bolstered talents like Adrienne Kennedy, Terrence McNally, David Mamet and Wendy Wasserstein. She presented productions of lesser-known plays by Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Ionesco. She took risks and championed daring new works that others would not champion. Producing over 500 productions, she gave artists a creative home.

Lortel’s legacy was front and center at the 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards, where the Off-Broadway community gathered to honor this year’s productions. Off-Broadway casts and creatives filled the theater at NYU Skirball Center to celebrate awards in 16 categories. “Off Broadway has always been a home for bold voices, new ideas and fearless creativity,” said George Forbes, executive director of the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Before the packed crowd, Casey York, president of the Off-Broadway League, offered her reflections on the state of Off-Broadway and the power it holds. “By gathering here tonight, we are not just witnessing history,” said York, who is also managing director of Playwrights Horizons. “We are hoping to shape it.”

While York reflected on challenges, she shared how vital it is to keep going—that performing, producing and supporting Off-Broadway requires courage. Especially now, when people and organizations are being threatened. “I hope you continue to lean on each other, to step forward instead of retreating and to stand firm in your convictions. We need your vision, your persistence, your voice,” added York. “Let’s also reaffirm our commitment to building a community where differences are celebrated, empathy triumphs over division and creativity drives change.”

That sense of community was echoed by this year’s nominees and presenters, who reflected on how Off-Broadway shaped their lives. “Off-Broadway is where A Chorus Line started over 50 years ago with Michael Bennett and Joe Papp,” said Donna McKechnie, who was instrumental in the show’s creation and originated the role of Cassie, inspired by her own life. “Michael found a safe place to create under his vision with the luxury of time and Joe Papp as our champion.”

Lauren Patten, a nominee for the Lonely Few, shared her first Off-Broadway memory performing in Sarah DeLappe’s exhilarating play, the Wolves. “It was a very insular experience, learning how to be a soccer team together and electric,” said Patten. “I remember buying Samuel French plays when I was a teenager and this was the first time I saw one with my name in it.”

Nominee Whitney White, who directed Bess Wohl’s play Liberation, spoke about Off-Broadway’s intimacy. “Off-Broadway is so raw. It’s easier to feel closer to the audience. It’s about the performers and the people you touch and you can’t get that anywhere else,” said White. Liberation actor Susannah Flood shared how Off-Broadway inspires connection and community. “There is a lot of fear out there,” said the Lortel-nominated performer. “People want a place to go to think about these topics and issues.”

The evening was also a moving tribute to the pioneers who paved the way. Throughout the night, special honors were presented to groundbreaking playwright Alice Childress, beloved producer and managing director, Carol Fishman, and New Federal Theatre, which was founded by Woodie King Jr. in 1970 to be a creative incubator for Black artists, amplifying stories of marginalized communities.

Since then, New Federal Theatre has produced hundreds of plays and helped launch the careers of countless artists, including Ruby Dee, Denzel Washington and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who presented the lifetime achievement award to Woodie King Jr. and the theater’s producing artistic director, Elizabeth Van Dyke. “Woody provided a place where we could walk around and know that we belonged,” said Santiago-Hudson.

Childress, who passed away in 1994, was posthumously inducted into the Playwrights Sidewalk. Located in front of the Lucille Lortel Theatre, the walk of fame immortalizes Off Broadway’s great playwrights by embossing their names into the sidewalk pavement.

Writing, performing and producing plays for four decades, Childress was the first African American woman to receive an Obie Award and devoted her life to the theater. (In fact, the latest production of her play, Wine in the Wilderness, presented by Classic Stage Company, was nominated for two Lortel awards this year, including Outstanding Revival.)

LaChanze, who performed in Childress’ play Trouble In Mind and directed Wine in the Wilderness, presented the honor to the late playwright’s niece, Dedrienne McKenzie and grandniece, Nicara McKenzie, who accepted on her behalf. “Please continue to live in your power,” said Nicara McKenzie. “Walk in your light. And speak to your originality—just like my great aunt Alice did.”