News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year

Which Broadway (and off-Broadway) shows were the best of 2021? Find out!

By: Jan. 02, 2022
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

A new year is here! New York City's top theatre critics have been taking stock of this abridged theatre season- deciding on their personal choices for their favorite productions of the year. The season has been undeniably abridged, but still full of so many stellar plays, musicals, revivals and new works, both on Broadway and of.

Below, check out our roundup of 'Best of' lists for theatre this year. Be sure to check back later for new additions as they're released!


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
Caroline, or Change. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Jesse Green, Maya Phillips, Laura Collins-Hughes, Scott Heller, Alexis Soloski and Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New York Times:

Merry Wives
Pass Over
What Happened?: The Michaels Abroad
Sanctuary City
Six
Is This a Room
Dana H.
Caroline, or Change
Trouble in Mind
Clyde's
and more.

Click here to read the full list at the New York Times.


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
The Lehman Trilogy. Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal

Best Director of a Musical- John Doyle, Assassins
Best Director of a Play- Eric Tucker, Persuasion
Best Classical Revival- Mrs. Warren's Profession
Best Individual Performance- Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues
Best Ensemble Cast-Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Adrian Lester, The Lehman Trilogy
Best New Play- Lynn Nottage's Clyde's
Artist of the Year- Alice Childress, Trouble in Mind

Click here to read the full list at the Wall Street Journal.


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
Company. Photo Credit: Brinkhoff Moegenburg

Eben Shapiro, Time

Only An Octave Apart
Blindness
Enemy of the People
Dana H.
Is This a Room
Assassins
Company
Caroline, or Change
Kimberly Akimbo
Trouble in Mind

Click here to read the full list at Time.


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
Six. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Dan Rubins, Slant

Girl from the North Country
Kimberly Akimbo
Lackawanna Blues
Merry Wives
Morning Sun
Pass Over
Sanctuary City
Six
Trevor the Musical
Trouble in Mind

Click here to read the full list at Slant.


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
Clyde's. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Adam Feldman, Time Out NY

Dana H.
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Company
Kimberly Akimbo
Trouble in Mind
Caroline, or Change
while you were partying
Clyde's
The Lehman Trilogy
The Grown-Ups

Click here to read the full list at Time Out NY.


The Best Theater of 2021: Shows that Ruled the Year  Image
American Utopia. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

Candice Frederick and Erin E. Evans, Huffington Post

Merry Wives
Six
American Utopia
Pass Over
Trouble in Mind
Nollywood Dreams
Lackawanna Blues
Thoughts of a Colored Man




Videos