I absolutely love when the Drama Desk nominations come out each year. This year the nominations for the 2025-2026 season for Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are out and proclaim the accomplishments of numerous people of color. One of the shows that moved from the Minetta Lane Theatre to the Daryl Roth Theatre is getting a great deal of love — “Mexodus” is nominated for a whopping 10 nominations. This incredible, original, creative musical that tells the rarely discussed story of how there was an underground railroad for escaped slaves through crossing the Rio Grande into Mexico is the brainchild of its two performers Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada. This musical is nominated for outstanding musical; outstanding book of a musical — Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson; outstanding lead performance in a musical — Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada; outstanding direction of a musical, David Mendiazabal; outstanding music — Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson; outstanding lyrics — Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson; outstanding lighting design of a musical — Mextly Couzin; outstanding projection and video design — Johnny Moreno and outstanding sound design of a musical — Mikhail Fiskel.
Tying with 10 nominations is the Douglas Lyons musical “Beau the Musical,” it told the story of Ace, a gay young man struggling to be accepted by classmates, friends and family. “Beau the Musical” is nominated for outstanding musical; Douglas Lyons is up for multiple nominations for outstanding book of a musical; outstanding music; and outstanding lyrics — Douglas Lyons; outstanding lighting design of a musical — Adam Honore and Japhy Weideman; outstanding lead performance in a musical; outstanding featured performance in a musical; outstanding direction of a musical; outstanding scenic design of a musical; and outstanding sound design of a musical.
“Ragtime” playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center is nominated for eight Drama Desk Awards that include outstanding revival of a musical; outstanding lead performance in a musical — Joshua Henry and his co-stars Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz; outstanding featured performance in a musical — Ben Levi Ross; outstanding lighting design of a musical — Adam Honore and Donald Holder; outstanding direction of a musical; and outstanding sound design of a musical.
“The Balusters” playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre received eight nomination, including, outstanding play; outstanding direction of a play — Kenny Leon; outstanding lead performance in a play — Anika Noni Rose; outstanding featured performance in a play — Maria-Christina Oliveras, along with Richard Thomas; outstanding costume design of a play — Emilio Sosa; outstanding scenic design of a play; and fight choreography.
“We’ll I’ll Let You Go” a poignant drama about how one can be affected by the death of their spouse earned Quincy Tyler Bernstine a nomination for outstanding lead performance in a play, Stacey Derosier is nominated for outstanding lighting design of a play; it is also nominated for best play; outstanding featured performance in a play; and outstanding direction of play.
“CATS: The Jellicle Ball” received a lot of love in the Drama Desk nominations last season, so it was only eligible for new elements. That being said, this fantastic time waiting for your embrace at Studio 54 is nominated for four Drama Desk Awards including outstanding choreography — Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons; outstanding costume design of a musical — Qween Jean; outstanding wig and hair — Nikiya Mathis and outstanding scenic design of a musical.
“Goddess” which was presented at The Public Theatre received four nominations. Amber Iman for outstanding lead performance in a musical; Arnulfo Maldonado for outstanding scenic design of a musical; outstanding music; and outstanding puppetry.
“Lights Out: The Nat King Cole Story” has four nominations. This musical told the tragic story of how Nat King Cole had to face racism as his television show was airing its final episode. This production was quite moving. Dule Hill is up for outstanding lead performance in a musical; Jared Grimes (tap choreography) is nominated for outstanding choreography; there are also nominations for outstanding orchestration and outstanding sound design of a musical.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” playing at New World Stages is nominated for four awards including outstanding revival of a musical; outstanding featured performance in a musical for both Lilli Cooper and Jasmine Amy Rogers and outstanding direction of a musical.
“Cold War Choir Practice” presented at MCC Theatre was a delightfully original play with music. The play by Ro Reddick, is nominated for outstanding play; Lizan Mitchell is nominated for outstanding featured performance in a play and Reddick is also nominated for outstanding music in a play.
“Ceremonies In Dark Old Men” presented by the Negro Ensemble Company has two nominations for outstanding revival of a play and outstanding scenic design of a play.
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” playing at the Barrymore Theatre garnered two nominations including outstanding featured performance in a play — Ruben Santiago-Hudson and outstanding costume design of a play — Paul Tazewell.
“Oh Happy Day” that played at The Public Theatre received nominations for outstanding music in a play, Donald Lawrence and outstanding costume design of a play — Qween Jean.
“Saturday Church” was a glorious musical that played at the New York Theatre Workshop, it received nominations for outstanding featured performance in a musical — Jackson Kanawha Perry and outstanding costume design of a musical — Qween Jean.
“The Brother’s Size” which had a fantastic revival at The Shed is nominated for outstanding direction of a play — Tarell Alvin McCraney and Bijan Sheibani and outstanding music in a play — Stan Mathabane (composer) and Munir Zakee (musician).
“The Monsters” was a powerful play about sibling love/rivalry presented by Two River Theater and Manhattan Theatre Club. The production is up for outstanding lead performance in a play — Aigner Mizzelle and outstanding fight choreography — Gerry Rodriguez.
The marvelous Kara Young is nominated for outstanding lead performance in a play for “Gruesome Playground Injuries. For his phenomenal performance in “Titanique” Layton Williams is nominated for outstanding featured performance in a musical. Savon Bartley, who wrote and performed “Holes in the Shape of My Father” at the Tank is nominated for outstanding solo performance.
Drama Desk gives out special awards each year and this year one of those is the Ensemble Award which will be going to the cast of “Spread” presented at Intar Theatre. This all-male, Hispanic cast includes Daniel Bravo Hernandez, Ricardy Fabre, Danny Gomez, Ishmael Gonzalez and Jaden Perez.
The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held at Town Hall on W 43rd Street on Sunday May 17, 2026. It’s going to be an exciting evening.