Lin-Manuel Miranda and Chita Rivera Among the 2014-15 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominees

On Monday, April 20, 2015, the 2014-15 Outer Critics Circle Awards nominations, which recognizes achievement in both Broadway and Off-Broadway, were announced by Raúl Esparza and Katie Finneran. The Outer Critics Circle is the organization of writers covering New York theater for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway. The Outer Critics Circle nominees are the first major Broadway/Off-Broadway award nominees of the New York theater season.

Lin-Manuel Miranda received a pair of nominations for Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) and Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway), respectively, of his musical Hamilton, in which he stars as Alexander Hamilton. The hit musical is currently playing at the Public Theater and will be heading to Broadway this summer. The musical received five nominations in total, with the others for Outstanding Director of a Musical (Thomas Kail), Outstanding Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. 

The legendary Chita Rivera picked up a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for The Visit, the Kander-Ebb-McNally tuner, which is currently in previews on Broadway and set to open in late April.

The Outer Critics Circle's members are affiliated with more than 90 newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, Internet and theatre publications in America and abroad.The winners will be announced Monday, May 11, 2015 and the annual Gala Awards Dinner will be held on Sunday afternoon May 21, 2015 at the famed Sardi's Restaurant in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. For a full list of award nominees, click here.