The Humans & Shuffle Along Win New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards

Hot on the heels of their Tony nominations, there was more good news for Broadway's The Humans and Shuffle Along on May 5. The New York Drama Critics' Circle named the former best play of the 2015-16 season, while the latter picked up best musical. The selections were made at the organization's 81st annual voting meeting. The awards will be presented at a private cocktail reception on May 17.

The honor for best play carries a cash prize of $2,500, made possible by a grant from the Lucille Lortel Foundation. The Humans, by Stephen Karam, directed by Joe Mantello, opened at the Roundabout Theatre Company on October 25, 2015, and closed January 3. The production transferred to Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre on February 18, where it is currently playing.

Shuffle Along, book by George C. Wolfe, music by Eubie Blake, lyrics by Noble Sissle, original book by F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles, directed by George C. Wolfe, currently plays at Broadway's Music Box Theatre where it had its world premiere on April 28.

Special citations were voted to Oskar Eustis of the Public Theater; Lois Smith who appeared in the off-Broadway productions of John and Marjorie Prime; and Ivo van Hove and Jan Versweyveld, who were represented on Broadway this season by A View from the Bridge and The Crucible.

The New York Drama Critics' Circle comprises 22 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, wire services and websites based in the New York metropolitan area. The New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, which has been awarded every year since 1936 to the best new play of the season (with optional awards for foreign or American plays, musicals and performers), is the nation's second oldest theater award, after the Pulitzer Prize for drama.