The Outer Critics Circle (OCC) has announced a trio of hosts for its 2024 nominations announcement. Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, currently starring in the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along,” will announce the slate of nominees for the 73rd annual OCC awards on April 23 at 3:30 p.m. at the Museum of Broadway. As previously announced, the OCC awards ceremony will take place on May 23.
The OCC, an organization of writers who cover New York’s theater scene for publications outside New York City, honors productions that play both on and Off-Broadway. The eligibility period in which nominators must see shows from the 2023-2024 seasons ends April 19. Winners will be announced on May 13.
OCC award categories include Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Broadway Play, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway), Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway), Outstanding New Score, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Play, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Orchestrations. Additionally, the John Gassner Award, named for the theater critic who founded the OCC in the 1949-1950 season, acknowledges the best new American play.
Unlike the Tony Awards, plays and musicals are eligible in the same design categories: Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Video or Projection Design.
Performance-wise, for the second year in a row, OCC has removed gender distinction from acting categories and instead will separate performance by Broadway and Off-Broadway production. Categories honoring acting include: Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play, Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play and Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play. Performers taking the stage alone in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are eligible in the Outstanding Solo Performance category.
Hosts Radcliffe, Groff and Mendez are no stranger to the OCC awards. All three were nominated for the 2022 Off-Broadway production of “Merrily,” with Groff and Mendez winning for Lead Performer and Featured Performer, respectively, in an Off-Broadway Musical.
OCC is currently led by president David Gordon. The OCC board of directors includes Richard Ridge, Joseph Cervelli, Patrick Hoffman, David Roberts, Harry Haun, Cynthia Allen, Dan Rubins, Janice Simpson and Doug Strassler. The OCC awards ceremony is executive produced by Lauren Yarger and will be livestreamed on BroadwayWorld.com.
