Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry in The Real Kyle McCarren. Picture: Natalie Powers
The Real Kyle McCarren, playing at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard, has won Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
The panel of judges, a dedicated team of experienced musical theatre practitioners, initially shortlisted eight productions after seeing scores of shows across the Fringe.
However, after careful consideration, the judges were unanimous in awarding the prestigious Best Musical prize to Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry’s The Real Kyle McCarren.
Welcome to Upstate Wherever, USA. Way back in the year two-thousand-who-cares, Kyle and Andy were more than friends, dammit — they were bandmates! But the real Kyle McCarren was a complicated dude. Well, an asshole. Worst of all, he’s dead – and he won’t let Andy forget it. Sometimes the easiest way to tell people about a buddy of yours is to write a show. In this musical-meets-live concert séance that’s equal parts Bo Burnham and Tick, Tick… Boom!, you’re invited to meet the legend himself.
Presented by Avalon, this modern rock and roll celebration of life stars its creators, Jonathan Larson Grant recipient Roninson as himself and international indie recording artist McVerry (AURORA, Danger Mouse) as Kyle McCarren.
Musical Theatre Review editor Fiona Orr, who led the panel, said the judges were impressed by the book for The Real Kyle McCarren “as it has such wit and humour throughout, yet deals with death right from the outset.
“This is an exceptional company, sharing a true life story which captures the audience from the very first word to the last. The score is truly accomplished, yet wears its intricate genius very lightly.
“Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry have created a very special show. Of course, the entire cast and musicians have all been top class – this is a great team effort that stands just that little bit higher than the other musicals on offer this year.
“Edinburgh Festival Fringe is, as ever, the place to launch or try out new theatre. Musical theatre has been particularly strong this year with the longest long list for at least 20 years.”
Jon Thoday, producer at Avalon, said: “It’s amazing to see the genesis of a new American musical voice from Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry here at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The ability to make audiences laugh and cry is a rare talent, and it’s a delight to be associated with a show that does exactly that.”
The Real Kyle McCarren is co-directed by Tony Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning Lonny Price and Matt Cowart (resident director is Jim Fagan) and also features in the cast Paige Andrews, Jaygee Macapugay, Jamie Mohamdein, Vincent Jamal Hooper and Sarah Coffey.
The five-star review from MTR praised described the show as “a must-see, must-hear, must-feel show. One of the best original scores of recent times… The book and score are written by Roninson and McVerry and is as close to being flawless as any new show could be. Go – see it here first – Edinburgh has a new smash hit musical.”
Musical Theatre Review founder and editor Lisa Martland added: “The Musical Theatre Review Best Musical Award is always a highlight of our year. To nurture, encourage and highlight new work was one of the reasons the website was created in the first place. Huge congratulations to the creative team, cast and crew involved in The Real Kyle McCarren, and in particular Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry. We can’t wait to see where the show goes next.
The cast of The Real Kyle McCarren celebrates winning Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award with MTR Edinburgh editor Fiona Orr and judges James Bryce and Charlotte Purkis
“The MTR team – Fiona Orr, Steven Wren, James Bryce, Charlotte Purkis, Patrick Honoré and Heather Owen Hill – has reviewed more than 50 productions this year, including the diverse and impressive shows that made our shortlist. It feels like every year musical theatre at the Fringe goes from strength to strength, and the genre is beginning to get the credit it deserves.”
Joining the The Real Kyle McCarren creative team are production manager and lighting designer Paul Brown, sound designer Mike Walker, associate sound designer Ryan Perry and company stage manager Amy Warren. The show was developed through the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, winning its 2025 Triple R Award and a 2025 Pipeline Foundation Arts Grant.
Previous winners of Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award, several of which have gone on to West End and international success, include A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) (2017); Sparks, The Half Moon Shania (2018); Islander: A New Musical (2019); On Your Bike, Belfast (2021); Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder (2022), A History of Paper (2024) and Hot Mess (2025).
The other shows shortlisted for the award were: Acid’s Reign (Forth at Pleasance Courtyard), Endometriosis The Musical (Doonstairs at Gilded Balloon Patter House), Game Theory (Forest Theatre at Greenside @ George Street), Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody (Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square), Hole! (Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square), Legendary (Friesian at Underbelly, Bristo Square) and Remember, Remember! (Queen Dome at Pleasance DomeBook).
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NEWS: Shortlist revealed for Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
REVIEW: The Real Kyle McCarren at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard.
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