Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play

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Outer Critics Circle Award for
Outstanding Actress in a Play
LaChanze, 2022 winner
Awarded forOutstanding Actress in a Play
LocationNew York City
Presented byOuter Critics Circle
StatusRetired
Currently held byLaChanze, Trouble in Mind (2022)
WebsiteOuterCriticsCircle.org

The Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play was an annual award given to the best actress in a non-musical play on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award was first given out in 1977, preceded by a "Best Performance" category.

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 Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play and Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play in gender-neutral performance categories.[1]

Cherry Jones won the award the most times, with four wins out of four nominations. Following her, both Mercedes Ruehl and Viola Davis won the award twice each. Laura Linney has received the most nominations, with six, winning once.

Awards winners

[edit]
Key
  and bold indicates the winner.

1970s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
1977
Liv Ullmann Anna Christie Anna Christie [2]
1978
Nancy Snyder Fifth of July Shirley Talley [3]
Vicki Frederick Dancin Ensemble
1979 No award given.

1980s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
1980 No award given.
1981
Swoosie Kurtz Fifth of July Gwen Landis [4]
1982
Amanda Plummer Agnes of God / A Taste of Honey Agnes / Jo [5]
1983
Kathy Bates 'night, Mother Jessie Cates [6]
Jessica Tandy Foxfire Annie Nations
1984
Marian Seldes Painting Churches Fay Chatham [7]
1985
Rosemary Harris Pack of Lies Maggie Hunt [8]
1986
Lily Tomlin The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe Various [9]
1987
Linda Lavin Broadway Bound Kate Jerome [10]
1988
Dana Ivey Driving Miss Daisy / Wenceslas Square Miss Daisy / Various [11]
1989
Pauline Collins Shirley Valentine Shirley Valentine [12]

1990s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
1990
Maggie Smith Lettice and Lovage Lettice Douffet [13][14]
Vanessa Redgrave Orpheus Descending Lady Torrance
Lois Smith Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad
Kathleen Turner Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Margaret
Margaret Tyzack Lettice and Lovage Lotte Schoen
1991
Mercedes Ruehl Lost in Yonkers Bella Kurnitz [15]
Eileen Atkins A Room of One’s Own Virginia Woolf
Stockard Channing Six Degrees of Separation Ouisa Kittredge
Julie Harris Lucifer's Child Isak Dinesen
1992
Laura Esterman Marvin's Room Bessie [16]
Jane Alexander The Visit Claire Zachanassian
Glenn Close Death and the Maiden Paulina Salas
Pauline Flanagan Grandchild of Kings Mother
Jessica Lange A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
1993
Madeline Kahn The Sisters Rosensweig Gorgeous Teitelbaum [17][18]
Jane Alexander The Sisters Rosensweig Sara Goode
Debra Monk Redwood Curtain [Role Name]
Maryann Plunkett Saint Joan Joan
1994
Myra Carter Three Tall Women Woman C [17]
1995
Cherry Jones The Heiress Catherine Sloper [19][20]
1996
Zoe Caldwell Master Class Maria Callas [21]
Catherine Byrne Molly Sweeney Molly Sweeney
Uta Hagen Mrs. Klein Mrs. Klein
Judith Ivey A Fair Country Patrice Burgess
1997
Janet McTeer A Doll’s House Nora Helmer [22][23]
Dana Ivey The Last Night of Ballyhoo Boo Levy
Kate Nelligan An American Daughter Lyssa Dent Hughes
Mary-Louise Parker How I Learned to Drive Li'l Bit
1998
Cherry Jones Pride's Crossing Martha [24][25]
Anna Manahan The Beauty Queen of Leenane Mag Folan
Marie Mullen Maureen
J. Smith-Cameron As Bees in Honey Drown Alexa
1999
Kathleen Chalfant Wit Vivian Bearing [26][27]
Judi Dench Amy's View Esme Allen
Elizabeth Franz Death of a Salesman Linda Loman
Swoosie Kurtz The Mineola Twins Myrna/Myra
Zoe Wanamaker Electra Electra

2000s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
2000
Eileen Heckart The Waverly Gallery Gladys Green [28][29]
Rosemary Harris Waiting in the Wings May Davenport
Laura Linney Uncle Vanya Yelena Andreyevna Serebryakova
J. Smith-Cameron Fuddy Meers Claire
2001
Viola Davis King Hedley II Tonya [30][31]
Mary-Louise Parker Proof Catherine
Marthe Keller Judgment at Nuremberg Frau Bertholt
Juliette Binoche Betrayal Emma
Michael Learned The Best Man Alice Russell / Mabel Cantwell
Leslie Uggams King Hedley II Ruby
Eileen Atkins The Unexpected Man The Woman
Marian Seldes The Play About the Baby Woman
2002
Mercedes Ruehl The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Stevie [32][33]
Laura Linney The Crucible Elizabeth Proctor
Kate Burton Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler
Helen Mirren Dance of Death Alice
2003
Jayne Atkinson Enchanted April Lottie Wilton [34][35]
Christine Ebersole Dinner at Eight Millicent Jordan
Victoria Hamilton A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Sheila
Clare Higgins Vincent in Brixton Ursula Loyer
Marylouise Burke Kimberly Akimbo Kimberly Levaco
2004
Eileen Atkins The Retreat From Moscow Alice [36][37]
Zilah Mendoza Living Out Ana Hernandez
Phylicia Rashad A Raisin in the Sun Lena Younger
Viola Davis Intimate Apparel Esther
Swoosie Kurtz Frozen Nancy Shirley
2005
Cherry Jones Doubt, A Parable Sister Aloysius Beauvier [38][39]
L. Scott Caldwell Going to St. Ives May N'Kame
Laura Linney Sight Unseen Patricia
Natasha Richardson A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
Kathleen Turner Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha
2006
Lois Smith The Trip to Bountiful Mrs. Carrie Watts [40][41]
Cynthia Nixon Rabbit Hole Becca
Julie White The Little Dog Laughed Diane
Zoë Wanamaker Awake and Sing! Bessie Berger
2007
Eve Best A Moon for the Misbegotten Josie Hogan [42][43]
Jennifer Ehle The Coast of Utopia Liubov / Natalie Herzen / Malwida von Meysenbug
Carla Gugino Suddenly Last Summer Catharine Holly
Alison Pill Blackbird Una
2008
Deanna Dunagan August: Osage County Violet Weston [44][45]
Laura Linney Les Liaisons Dangereuses La Marquise de Merteuil
S. Epatha Merkerson Come Back, Little Sheba Lola
Eve Best The Homecoming Ruth
2009
Marcia Gay Harden God of Carnage Veronica Novak [46][47]
Saidah Arrika Ekulona Ruined Mama Nadi
Carla Gugino Desire Under the Elms Abbie Putnam
Harriet Walter Mary Stuart Elizabeth Tudor
Janet McTeer Mary Stuart Mary Stuart

2010s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
2010
Viola Davis Fences Rose [48][49]
Laura Benanti In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) Mrs. Catherine Givings
Laura Linney Time Stands Still Sarah Goodwin
Jan Maxwell The Royal Family Julie Cavendish
Nina Arianda Venus in Fur Dunayev / Vanda
2011
Frances McDormand Good People Margie Walsh [50][51]
Nina Arianda Born Yesterday Billie Dawn
Judith Light Lombardi Marie Lombardi
Laurie Metcalf The Other Place Juliana Smithton
Edie Falco The House of Blue Leaves Bananas Shaughnessy
2012
Tracie Bennett End of the Rainbow Judy Garland [52][53]
Linda Lavin The Lyons Rita Lyons
Laila Robins The Lady from Dubuque Jo
Nicole Ari Parker A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
Tyne Daly Master Class Maria Callas
2013
Cicely Tyson The Trip to Bountiful Carrie Watts [54][55]
Vanessa Redgrave The Revisionist Maria
Tracee Chimo Bad Jews Daphna
Amy Morton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha
Joely Richardson Ivanov Anna Petrovna
2014
Cherry Jones The Glass Menagerie Amanda Wingfield [56][57]
Tyne Daly Mothers and Sons Katharine Gerard
Rebecca Hall Machinal Young Woman
Jessica Hecht Stage Kiss She
Estelle Parsons The Velocity of Autumn Alexandra
2015
Helen Mirren The Audience Queen Elizabeth II [58][59]
Jan Maxwell The City of Conversation Hester Ferris
Elisabeth Moss The Heidi Chronicles Heidi Holland
Tonya Pinkins Rasheeda Speaking Jaclyn
Greta Gerwig The Village Bike Becky
2016
Jessica Lange Long Day's Journey Into Night Mary Cavan Tyrone [60][61]
Jayne Houdyshell The Humans Deirdre Blake
Lupita Nyong'o Eclipsed Girl
Nicola Walker A View from the Bridge Beatrice
Michelle Williams Blackbird Una
2017
Laura Linney The Little Foxes Regina Giddens [62][63]
Janie Dee Linda Linda Wilde
Laurie Metcalf A Doll's House, Part 2 Nora
Sally Field The Glass Menagerie Amanda Wingfield
Allison Janney Six Degrees of Separation Ouisa Kittredge
2018
Glenda Jackson Three Tall Women A [64][65]
Lauren Ridloff Children of a Lesser God Sarah Norman
MaameYaa Boafo School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play Paulina Sarpong
Katy Sullivan Cost of Living Ani
Jessica Hecht Admissions Sherri Rosen-Mason
2019
Elaine May The Waverly Gallery Gladys Green [66][67]
Glenn Close Mother of the Maid Isabelle Arc
Edie Falco The True Dorothea "Polly" Noonan
Glenda Jackson King Lear Lear
Mandi Masden The Light Genesis

2020s

[edit]
Year Actor Work Role Ref.
2020 (Hon.) Eileen Atkins The Height of the Storm Claire [68]
Judith Ivey Greater Clements Cora
Joaquina Kalukango Slave Play Kaneisha
April Matthis Toni Stone Toni Stone
Mary-Louise Parker The Sound Inside Portia Stew
2021 No award given due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
LaChanze Trouble in Mind Wiletta Mayer [69][70]
Betsy Aidem Prayer for the French Republic Marcelle Salomon Benhamou
Stephanie Berry On Sugarland Evelyn
Edie Falco Morning Sun Charley
Debra Messing Birthday Candles Ernestine Ashworth

Multiple wins

[edit]
4 wins
2 wins

Multiple nominations

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Andrew Gans (January 24, 2023). "Dates Set for 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Gender Removed From Acting Categories". Playbill.
  2. ^ "1976–1977 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. ^ "1977–1978 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "1979–1980 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  5. ^ "1981–1982 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "1982–1983 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  7. ^ "1983–1984 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "1984–1985 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  9. ^ "1985–1986 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  10. ^ "1986–1987 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  11. ^ "1987–1988 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  12. ^ "1988–1989 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  13. ^ "1989–1990 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Rich, Frank (May 1, 1990). "Outer Critics Awards to Grapes and Angels". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  15. ^ "1990–1991 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  16. ^ "1991-1992 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "1992–1993 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  18. ^ Rich, Frank (April 27, 1993). "Outer Critics Circle Names Award Winners". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  19. ^ "1994–1995 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "Outer Critics Float Show Boat". Variety. April 1995. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  21. ^ "1995–1996 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  22. ^ "1996–1997 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Lefkowitz, David (May 5, 1997). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  24. ^ "1997–1998 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  25. ^ Viagas & Lefkowitz (April 27, 1998). "Lion King Roars With Six Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  26. ^ "1998–1999 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  27. ^ "Nightingales, Wit, Iceman & Fosse Win Outer Critics Awards; Ceremony May 28". Playbill. April 26, 1999. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  28. ^ "1999–2000 Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  29. ^ "Contact and Kiss Me, Kate Big Winners of 2000 Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. April 30, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  30. ^ "2000–2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Infoplease. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  31. ^ Simonson & Lefkowitz (May 24, 2001). "2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards Held at Sardi's, May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  32. ^ "2001–2002 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  33. ^ "The 2001–2002 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners". TheaterMania. April 29, 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  34. ^ "2002–2003 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  35. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 5, 2003). "Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Hairspray Leads the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  36. ^ "2003–2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  37. ^ "Wicked, Wonderful Town, I Am My Own Wife Top 2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. May 2, 2004. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  38. ^ "2004–2005 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  39. ^ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 9, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "2005–2006 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  41. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (May 14, 2006). "The Drowsy Chaperone and The History Boys Top Outer Critics Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  42. ^ "2006–2007 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  43. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 24, 2007). "Outer Critics Circle Awards Are Presented by Clark, Young and Mitchell May 24". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  44. ^ "2007–2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  45. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2008). "South Pacific Is Big Winner in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "2008–2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  47. ^ "Outer Critics Circle 2008–09 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 11, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  48. ^ "2009–2010 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  49. ^ "MEMPHIS & LA CAGE Top Outer Critics Circle Winners". BroadwayWorld. May 17, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  50. ^ "2010–2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  51. ^ "The Book of Mormon, War Horse and Anything Goes Top 2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  52. ^ "2011–2012 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  53. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 14, 2012). "Outer Critics Circle Winners Announced; Once and One Man, Two Guvnors Are Top Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  54. ^ "2012–2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  55. ^ "Outer Critics Circle 2013 Award Winners". New York Theatre Guide. May 13, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  56. ^ "2013–2014 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  57. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  58. ^ "2014–2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  59. ^ "Outer Critics Circle Awards 2015: Full List". Variety. April 27, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  60. ^ "2015–2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  61. ^ "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.
  62. ^ "2016–2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  63. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 8, 2017). "2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Come From Away & More Win Top Prizes". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  64. ^ "2017–2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  65. ^ 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.
  66. ^ "2018–2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  67. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (May 13, 2019). "Hadestown Leads Winners of 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  68. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 11, 2020). "Moulin Rouge! Leads 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honorees". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  69. ^ "2021–2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  70. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 17, 2022). "The Lehman Trilogy Leads 2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Six Wins Best Musical; See the Complete List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 3, 2025.