R. Eric Thomas to Host 2026 Barrymore Awards in Philadelphia

Theatre Philadelphia will bring the Greater Philadelphia theatre community together for the 2026 Barrymore Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 16, 2026, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad St., Philadelphia). The annual celebration will recognize theatrical work created during the 2025/2026 season.

This year's ceremony, with a theme of Joy and Glamour, will be hosted by R. Eric Thomas, the national bestselling author, television writer, playwright and longtime host of The Moth in Philadelphia. Thomas is the author of the bestselling memoir Here For It, or How to Save Your Soul in America, a Read with Jenna book club selection, and the USA Today national bestseller Congratulations, The Best is Over. His television credits include Apple TV+'s Dickinson and FX's Better Things, and his nationally syndicated advice column “Asking Eric” appears in newspapers across the country. A celebrated playwright, Thomas is himself a Barrymore Award winner for Best New Play, as well as a recipient of the Dramatists Guild Lanford Wilson Award and Lambda Literary Award.

Before the ceremony, Philadelphia influencers and champions of the city's theatre community Ella Mae and Taara Bruce (@DemBruceGals) will serve as red carpet correspondents, welcoming and interviewing artists, nominees and guests as they arrive at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

The ceremony, directed by Robi Hager, will feature live performances from some of the season's celebrated productions, including Steve Pacek and Will Connell performing “What Would I Do” from Falsettos (Arden Theatre Co.); Sami Ma performing “What You Left Me” from Wishing to Grow Up Brightly (Theatre Horizon); and a medley from Spring Awakening featuring Felicity Mundy, Payton Thomas, Angel Sigala, Nat Langas, Eliana Pinckney, Alison Ansorg, James Maloney, Ian Brady, Stevie Smith Iannettoni, Tom Geiger, CaSandra Kay, Scott Berkowitz and Leah Walton (Relic Theatre Company).

Also performing are Pax Ressler, Jackie Soro, Mel Regn, Corinne Kite-Dean and Mel Hsu with “When I Was a Kid” from GIRL DOLLS! An American Musical (Bearded Ladies Cabaret); and Anna Faye Lieberman, Jessica Money, Taylor J. Mitchell, Madeleine Garcia and Jessica Johnson with “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors (People's Light).

Presenters announced for the ceremony include Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau, Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames, PHL17's Abby Urban and Rachel Malak, Ms. Pat, Tai Verley, Chris Haig, Erlina Ortiz and Brian Weiner, President of the Philadelphia Independence Awards. Additional presenters to be announced.

Named in honor of Philadelphia's famed Barrymore family, the Barrymore Awards have served as Philadelphia's professional theatre awards program since 1994. The awards recognize the work of professional theatres and artists throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and distribute thousands of dollars in annual cash prizes, supporting the ability of local theatre companies and individual artists to continue creating work.