PARSONS DANCE
May 14, 2026
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Jun 8, 2026Commentary by Celia Ipiotis
Theater professionals streamed into the Longacre Theatre in Times Square to celebrate outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debut performances.
It’s an emotional award because it ranges from young people just out of school to seasoned professionals who have toiled in regional theater or in the many smaller theaters that generate matieral for commercial productions.
Besides the debut awardees, several special awards were named: The Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater which went to Rachael Stirling in Giant. She graciously accepted the award commending her cast and the iinsightful writing of Mark Rosenblatt.
13th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre went to John Lithgow for Giant and all the other theatrical productions he has lifted. In usual form, Lithgow was self-effacing, procaliming his genuine love for the theater and belief in its power to transform.
Hosted by the amiable Peter Filichia, the standout awardees included Ben Ahlers as the younger son in Death of a Salesman. Perhaps best known as the footman/inventor on the Gilded Age, he flashed his charismatic smile and thanked the community for accepting him.
LJ Benet from The Lost Boys was amazed he was cast as an edgy teenager. Madeline Brewer of Becky Shaw was gracious and giddy; Ayo Edebiri of Proof received one of the most lovingl, full throttle introductions of the arternoon–her champion was non other than the animated Kara Young.
Luke Evans playing the seminal role inThe Rocky Horror Show was touchingly humble, while Leslie Manville, a seasoned actress described the thrill of finally landing on Broadway in Oedipus.
Other wondeful selections were Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw), Will Harrison (Punch), River Lipe-Smith (Caroline), Robert “Silk” Mason (Cats the Jellicle Ball), Sam Tutty (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York)
When Sam Tutty accepted his award he said he feared maybe the American actors wouldn’t like having a Brit onstagw but everyone embraced him, and why not, whenyou display such a winning personality. Finally, “Silk” paid homage to the gay ballroom competitions and more importantly, chosen family, and trans icons.
Those responsible for the Theatre World Award honorees are by Linda Armstrong (Amsterdam News), David Cote (The Observer), Joe Dziemianowicz (New York Daily News, Emeritus), Peter Filichia (The Newark Star-Ledger, Emeritus), David Finkle (New York Stage Review), Elysa Gardner (USA Today, Emeritus), Cary Wong (Freelance), and Frank Scheck (The Hollywood Reporter).The Theatre World Awards, Inc. Board of Directors is headed by Dale Badway (President) with Tom Lynch (Vice-President), Michael Kostel (Vice-President), Stephen Wilde (Secretary), Rozanne Scarpelli (Treasurer), James Sheridan, Karen Johnston, Jeffrey Grove and Arthur Makar.First presented in 1945, the prestigious Theatre World Awards, founded by John Willis, the Editor-in-Chief of both Theatre World and its companion volume, Screen World, are the oldest awards given for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances.
The crowds streamed into Hurley’s for more extended conversations, congratulations and of course, drinks.
EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Celia Ipiotis
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