Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Last updated
Outer Critics Circle Award for
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Awarded forOutstanding Actor in a Musical
Location New York City
Presented by Outer Critics Circle
StatusRetired
Website OuterCriticsCircle.org

The Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical was an annual award given to the best actor in a musical on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award was named as "Best Actor in a Musical" until 1999.

Contents

The award was preceded by an award for Best Performance, but the newly gendered award for musical performance was first given out the 1987–1988 season through the season. The award was retired in 2022 and replaced by gender-neutral performance categories. [1]

Awards winners

Key
  and bold indicates the winner.

1980s

YearActorWorkRoleRef.
1988
Michael Crawford The Phantom of the Opera Phantom [2]
1989
Jason Alexander Jerome Robbins' Broadway Narrator [3]

1990s

YearActorWorkRoleRef.
1990
Michael Jeter Grand Hotel Otto Kringelein [4] [5]
James Naughton City of Angels Stone
Rene Auberjonois Buddy Fidler/Irwin S. Irving
Jonathan Hadary Gypsy Herbie
Bob Gunton Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd
1991
Jonathan Pryce Miss Saigon The Engineer [6]
Paul Hipp Buddy Buddy Holly
Evan Pappas I Can Get It for You Wholesale Bogen
Mandy Patinkin The Secret Garden Lord Archibald Craven
1992
Nathan Lane Guys and Dolls Nathan Detroit [7]
Harry Groener Crazy for You Bobby Child
Spiro Malas The Most Happy Fella Tony Esposito
Keith Carradine The Will Rogers Follies Will Rogers
1993
Martin Short The Goodbye Girl Nathan Detroit [8] [9]
Mike Burstyn Ain't Broadway GrandMike Todd
Gregory Hines Jelly's Last Jam Jelly Roll Morton
Michael Cerveris The Who's Tommy Tommy
1994
Boyd Gaines She Loves Me Georg Nowack [10]
1995
Matthew Broderick How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying J. Pierrepont Finch [11] [12]
1996
Nathan Lane A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Prologus/Pseudolus [13]
1997
Robert Cuccioli Jekyll & Hyde Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde [14] [15]
James Naughton Chicago Billy Flynn
Gregory Harrison Steel Pier Mick Hamilton
Sam Harris The Life Jojo
1998
Alan Cumming Cabaret Emcee [16] [17]
John Cameron Mitchell Hedwig and the Angry Inch Hedwig
Brian Stokes Mitchell Ragtime Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Douglas Sills The Scarlet Pimpernel Sir Percy Blakeney
1999
Martin Short Little Me The Men of Belle's Life [18] [19]
Jeremy Kushnier Footloose Ren McCormack
Tom Wopat Annie Get Your Gun Frank Butler
Brent Carver Parade Leo Frank

2000s

YearActorWorkRoleRef.
2000
Brian Stokes Mitchell Kiss Me, Kate Fred Graham/Petruchio [20] [21]
James Carpinello Saturday Night Fever Tony
Craig Bierko The Music Man Prof. Harold Hill
Taye Diggs The Wild Party Mr. Black
2001
Nathan Lane The Producers Max Bialystock [22] [23]
Michael Cumpsty 42nd Street Julian Marsh
Patrick Wilson The Full Monty Jerry Lukowski
Matthew Broderick The Producers Leopold "Leo" Bloom
2002
John Lithgow Sweet Smell of Success J.J. Hunsecker [24] [25]
John Cullum Urinetown Caldwell B. Cladwell
Brian d'Arcy James Sweet Smell of Success Sidney Falcone
Hunter Foster Urinetown Bobby Strong
2003
Antonio Banderas Nine Guido Contini [26] [27]
Harvey Fierstein Hairspray Edna Turnblad
Roger Rees A Man of No Importance Alfie Byrne
Brian Stokes Mitchell Man of La Mancha Don Quixote/Miguel de Cervantes
Jason Petty Hank Williams: Lost Highway Hank Williams
2004
Hugh Jackman The Boy From Oz Peter Allen [28] [29]
Alfred Molina Fiddler on the Roof Tevye
Euan Morton Taboo George
Gregg Edelman Wonderful Town Robert Baker
Hunter Foster Little Shop of Horrors Seymour Krelborn
2005
Norbert Leo Butz Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Freddy Benson [30] [31]
Denis O'Hare Sweet Charity Oscar Lindquist
Tim Curry Spamalot King Arthur
Raúl Esparza Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Caractacus Potts
Cheyenne Jackson All Shook Up Chad
2006
John Lloyd Young Jersey Boys Frankie Valli [32] [33]
Michael Cerveris Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd
Harry Connick, Jr. The Pajama Game Sid Sorokin
Hugh Panaro Lestat Lestat
2007
Raúl Esparza Company Bobby [34] [35]
Michael Cerveris LoveMusik Kurt Weill
David Hyde Pierce Curtains Lieutenant Frank Cioffi
Gavin Lee Mary Poppins Bert
2008
Paulo Szot South Pacific Emile de Becque [36] [37]
Boyd Gaines Gypsy Herbie
Roger Bart Young Frankenstein Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
Daniel Evans Sunday in the Park with George George/Georges
2009
Brian d'Arcy James Shrek the Musical Shrek [38] [39]
James Barbour A Tale of Two Cities Sydney Carton
Josh Grisetti Enter LaughingDavid Kolowitz
Matt Cavenaugh West Side Story Tony
David Pittu What's That Smell: The Music of Jacob SterlingJacob Sterling

2010s

YearActorWorkRoleRef.
2010
Douglas Hodge La Cage aux Folles Albin [40] [41]
Nathan Lane The Addams Family Gomez Addams
Brandon Victor Dixon The Scottsboro Boys Haywood Patterson
Sean Hayes Promises, Promises Chuck Baxter
Chad Kimball Memphis Huey Calhoun
2011
Josh Gad The Book of Mormon Elder Cunningham [42] [43]
Daniel Radcliffe How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying J. Pierrepont Finch
Aaron Tveit Catch Me If You Can Frank Abagnale, Jr.
Norbert Leo Butz Carl Hanratty
Tony Sheldon Priscilla Queen of the Desert Bernadette
2012
Danny Burstein Follies Buddy Plummer [44] [45]
Jeremy Jordan Newsies Jack Kelly
Raúl Esparza Leap of Faith Jonas Nightingale
Steve Kazee Once Guy
Norm Lewis The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Porgy
2013
Billy Porter Kinky Boots Lola [46] [47]
Matthew James Thomas Pippin Pippin
Bertie Carvel Matilda Miss Trunchbull
Santino Fontana Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Topher
Rob McClure Chaplin Charlie Chaplin
2014
Jefferson Mays A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder The D'Ysquith Family [48] [49]
Neil Patrick Harris Hedwig and the Angry Inch Hedwig
Michael Cerveris Fun Home Bruce Bechdel
Bryce Pinkham A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Montague D'Ysquith Navarro
Andy Karl Rocky Rocky Balboa
2015
Robert Fairchild An American in Paris Jerry Mulligan [50] [51]
Peter Gallagher On the Twentieth Century Oscar Jaffee
Christian Borle Something Rotten! William Shakespeare
Tony Yazbeck On the Town Gabey
Brian d'Arcy James Something Rotten! Nick Bottom
2016
Danny Burstein Fiddler on the Roof Tevye [52] [53] [54]
Robert CreightonCagney James Cagney
Alex Brightman School of Rock Dewey Finn
Ben Platt Dear Evan Hansen Evan Hansen
Benjamin Walker American Psycho Patrick Bateman
2017
Andy Karl Groundhog Day Phil Connors [55] [56]
David Hyde Pierce Hello, Dolly! Horace Vandergelder
Christian Borle Falsettos Marvin
Nick Cordero A Bronx Tale Sonny
Tony Shalhoub The Band's Visit Tewfiq
2018
Ethan Slater SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarPants [57] [58]
Conor Ryan Desperate Measures Johnny Blood
Harry Hadden-Paton My Fair Lady Professor Henry Higgins
Joshua Henry Carousel Billy Bigelow
2019
Santino Fontana Tootsie Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels [59] [60]
Damon Daunno Oklahoma! Curly McLain
Steven Skybell Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish Tevye
Reeve Carney Hadestown Orpheus
Brooks Ashmanskas The Prom Barry Glickman

2020s

YearActorWorkRoleRef.
2020 (Hon.) Larry Owens A Strange Loop Usher [61]
Adam Kantor Darling GrenadineHarry
Jonathan Groff Little Shop of Horrors Seymour Krelborn
Aaron Tveit Moulin Rouge! Christian
Joshua Henry The Wrong ManDuran
Isaac Powell West Side Story Tony

Multiple wins

3 wins
2 wins

Multiple nominations

4 nominations
3 nominations
2 nominations

References

  1. ↑ Andrew Gans (January 24, 2023). "Dates Set for 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Gender Removed From Acting Categories". Playbill.
  2. ↑ "1987–1988 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ "1988–1989 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ Rich, Frank (May 1, 1990). "Outer Critics Awards to Grapes and Angels". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  5. ↑ "1989–1990 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. ↑ "1990–1991 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ "1991–1992 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  8. ↑ Rich, Frank (April 27, 1993). "Outer Critics Circle Names Award Winners". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ "1992–1993 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  10. ↑ "1993–1994 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Outer Critics Float Show Boat". Variety. April 1995. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  12. ↑ "1994–1995 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ "1995–1996 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  14. ↑ Lefkowitz, David (May 5, 1997). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ "1996–1997 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  16. ↑ Viagas & Lefkowitz (April 27, 1998). "Lion King Roars With Six Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  17. ↑ "1997–1998 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Nightingales, Wit, Iceman & Fosse Win Outer Critics Awards; Ceremony May 28". Playbill. April 26, 1999. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  19. ↑ "1998–1999 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Contact and Kiss Me, Kate Big Winners of 2000 Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. April 30, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  21. ↑ "1999–2000 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  22. ↑ Simonson & Lefkowitz (May 24, 2001). "2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards Held at Sardi's, May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  23. ↑ "2000–2001 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  24. ↑ "The 2001–2002 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners". TheaterMania. April 29, 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  25. ↑ "2001–2002 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  26. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 5, 2003). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Hairspray Leads the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  27. ↑ "2002–2003 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Wicked, Wonderful Town, I Am My Own Wife Top 2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. May 2, 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  29. ↑ "2003–2004 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  30. ↑ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 9, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  31. ↑ "2004–2005 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  32. ↑ Hernandez, Ernio (May 14, 2006). "The Drowsy Chaperone and The History Boys Top Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  33. ↑ "2005–2006 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  34. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 24, 2007). "Outer Critics Circle Awards Are Presented by Clark, Young and Mitchell May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  35. ↑ "2006–2007 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  36. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2008). "South Pacific Is Big Winner in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  37. ↑ "2007–2008 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle 2008–09 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 11, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  39. ↑ "2008–2009 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  40. ↑ "MEMPHIS & LA CAGE Top Outer Critics Circle Winners". BroadwayWorld. May 17, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  41. ↑ "2009–2010 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  42. ↑ "The Book of Mormon, War Horse and Anything Goes Top 2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  43. ↑ "2010–2011 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  44. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 14, 2012). "Outer Critics Circle Winners Announced; Once and One Man, Two Guvnors Are Top Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  45. ↑ "2011–2012 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle 2013 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 13, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  47. ↑ "2012–2013 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  48. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  49. ↑ "2013–2014 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle Awards 2015: Full List". Variety. April 27, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  51. ↑ "2014–2015 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  52. ↑ "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.
  53. ↑ Viagas, Robert (May 9, 2016). "Bright Star and The Humans Win Top 2016 NY Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  54. ↑ "2015–2016 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  55. ↑ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 8, 2017). "2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Come From Away & More Win Top Prizes". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  56. ↑ "2016–2017 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  57. ↑ 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.
  58. ↑ "2017–2018 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  59. ↑ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 13, 2019). "Hadestown Leads Winners of 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  60. ↑ "2018–2019 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  61. ↑ Olivia Clement (May 11, 2020). "Moulin Rouge! Leads 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honorees". Playbill.
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