The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City.
From 1955 to 1974, acting awards were given only for lead performances, without making distinctions between roles in plays and musicals, nor between actors and actresses. From 1975 to 2022, acting awards were presented in eight categories: separate categories by gender; further divided by lead or featured performer; producing four acting awards each for plays and musicals.
In 2023, the Drama Desk organization announced that, starting with that year's awards, the eight acting categories had been retired and replaced with four gender neutral categories with twice the winners and nominees: separate categories by lead or featured performer; producing two acting categories each for plays and musicals. The former awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and Outstanding Actress in a Musical were merged to create this Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical category.
Winners and nominees Key
2020s YearActorTitleCharacterRef.2023Annaleigh AshfordSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetMrs. LovettJ. Harrison GheeSome Like It HotJerry/DaphneNicholas BaraschThe Butcher BoyFrancie BradySara BareillesInto the WoodsThe Baker's WifeAndrew BurnapCamelotKing ArthurMicaela DiamondParadeLucille FrankAndrew DurandShuckedBeauCallum FrancisKinky BootsLolaJonathan GroffMerrily We Roll AlongFranklin ShepardSomi KakomaDreaming ZenzileMiriam MakebaLindsay MendezMerrily We Roll AlongMary FlynnAnna UzeleNew York, New YorkFrancine Evans2024Brian d'Arcy JamesDays of Wine and RosesJoe ClayMaleah Joi MoonHell's KitchenAliKelli O'HaraDays of Wine and RosesKirsten ArnesenAndrew DurandDead OutlawElmer McCurdySantino FontanaI Can Get It for You WholesaleHarry BogenBrody GrantThe OutsidersPonyboy CurtisLiam PearceHow to Dance in OhioDrewGayle RankinCabaretSally BowlesBen Levi RossThe ConnectorEthan DobsonRicky UbedaIllinoiseHenry 2025 Audra McDonald Gypsy Rose Jasmine Amy Rogers Boop! The Musical Betty Boop Tatianna Córdoba Real Women Have Curves Ana García Darren Criss Maybe Happy Ending Oliver Sutton Foster Once Upon a Mattress Princess Winnifred Tom Francis Sunset Blvd. Joe Gillis Jonathan Groff Just in Time Bobby Darin Grey Henson Elf Buddy the Elf Jeremy Jordan Floyd Collins Floyd Collins Nicole Scherzinger Sunset Blvd. Norma Desmond Helen J. Shen Maybe Happy Ending Claire Jennifer Simard Death Becomes Her Helen Sharp2026Joshua HenryRagtimeCoalhouse Walker Jr.Caissie LevyMotherNicholas ChristopherChessAnatoly SergievskyMicaela DiamondThe Seat of Our PantsSabinaLuke EvansThe Rocky Horror ShowFrank-N-FurterDulé HillLights Out: Nat “King” ColeNat "King" ColeAmber ImanGoddessNadiraBrian QuijadaMexodusCarlosNygel D. RobinsonHenryMatt RodinBeau the MusicalAceSam TuttyTwo Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)Dougal ToddBrandon UranowitzRagtimeTateh
Statistics Multiple nominations 2 nominations Andrew Durand Jonathan Groff Micaela Diamond
See also Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
References