Bess Wohl’s play “Liberation” has been awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The prize annually recognizes “a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life.” Nazareth Hassan’s “Bowl EP” and Talene Monahon’s “Meet the Cartozians” are this year’s finalists.
“Liberation” follows a diverse group of women in the 1970s who establish a consciousness-raising feminist group in the recreation center of their Ohio town, and the daughter of the group’s founder as she searches her mother’s memory for answers to her own struggles 50 years later. The play premiered Off-Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company’s Laura Pels Theatre, with previews beginning on Jan. 31 and an opening night of Feb. 20, 2025, for a run through March 30. The play transferred to Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre later that year, beginning previews on Oct. 8 and opening on Oct. 28, running through Feb. 1, 2026.
In order to have been eligible for this year’s Pulitzer, a work must have been a full-length drama that opened in a U.S. production between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. A work may be submitted for consideration only once; revivals, along with works submitted for the prize in previous years, are not eligible.
“Bowl EP” played Off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre, beginning previews on May 1 and opening on May 18, 2025, for a run through June 22. The play features a series of discussions between rappers Kelly K Klarkson and Quentavius da Quitter, as they gradually grow closer through live skateboarding and original music.
“Meet the Cartozians” debuted Off-Broadway with Second Stage, beginning previews on Oct. 29 and opening on Nov. 18, 2025 at the Pershing Square Signature Center, for a run through December 7. “Cartozians” is a satirical play about two generations of Armenian Americans searching for a sense of belonging.
For its Off-Broadway run, “Liberation” was honored with the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play. The Broadway production has been nominated for two Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production of a Play and Distinguished Performance for Susannah Flood. Having opened on Broadway during the 2025-2026 season, “Liberation” is also eligible for the Tony Award for Best New Play. Tony nominations will be announced on May 5.
