Frontmezzjunkies reports: The Lost Boys dominates the musical categories while Death of a Salesman, Daniel Radcliffe, and Liberation claim major play honors

By Ross

One of my favourite traditions of every theatre season is seeing how audiences themselves vote when given the chance. Critics may debate artistry, awards committees may weigh excellence, but fan-voted honours capture something equally valuable: enthusiasm. They reflect the productions and performances that audiences carried with them long after the curtain came down, and this year’s Theater Fans’ Choice Awards produced some fascinating results.

BroadwayWorld announced the winners of the 23rd Annual Theater Fans’ Choice Awards, the biggest fan-voted celebration of the best in New York theater. And one production emerged as the overwhelming musical favourite. The Lost Boys swept an extraordinary number of categories, taking home Best New Musical while also earning victories for Michael Arden’s direction, LJ Benet’s leading performance, Ali Louis Bourzgui’s featured performance, and nearly every major creative design category, including book, score, orchestrations, scenic design, costume design, lighting design, and sound design.

On the play side, Death of a Salesman proved equally formidable, winning Best Revival of a Play while Joe Mantello was honoured for Best Direction of a Play and Laurie Metcalf claimed Best Featured Performer in a Play. Daniel Radcliffe earned Best Lead Performer in a Play for Every Brilliant Thing, while Liberation was voted Best New Play. Elsewhere, Ragtime was selected as Best Revival of a Musical, and Hadestown continued its remarkable popularity by winning both Best Long-Running Broadway Show and Best Touring Production.

2026 Theater Fans’ Choice Award Winners

• Best Book of a Musical: David Hornsby & Chris Hoch – The Lost Boys
• Best Choreography: Christopher Gattelli – Schmigadoon!
• Best Costume Design: Ryan Park – The Lost Boys
• Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden – The Lost Boys
• Best Direction of a Play: Joe Mantello – Death of a Salesman
• Best Ensemble: Chess
• Best Featured Performer in a Musical: Ali Louis Bourzgui – The Lost Boys
• Best Featured Performer in a Play: Laurie Metcalf – Death of a Salesman
• Best Lead Performer in a Musical: LJ Benet – The Lost Boys
• Best Lead Performer in a Play: Daniel Radcliffe – Every Brilliant Thing
• Best Lighting Design: Jen Schriever & Michael Arden – The Lost Boys
• Best Long-Running Broadway Show: Hadestown
• Best New Musical: The Lost Boys
• Best New Play: Liberation
• Best Off-Broadway Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (New World Stages)
• Best Off-Broadway Play: A Christmas Carol (Thorne Adaptation) – PAC NYC
• Best Orchestrations: Ethan Popp & The Rescues – The Lost Boys
• Best Original Score: The Rescues – The Lost Boys
• Best Revival of a Musical: Ragtime
• Best Revival of a Play: Death of a Salesman
• Best Scenic Design: Dane Laffrey – The Lost Boys
• Best Sound Design: Adam Fisher – The Lost Boys
• Best Touring Production: Hadestown