Kenrex
| Kenrex | |
|---|---|
 Original London Production Poster | |
| Written by | Jack Holden & Ed Stambollouian |
| Based on | The story of Ken McElroy |
| Music by | John Patrick Elliott |
| Lyrics by | John Patrick Elliott |
| Genre | True crime |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 26 October 2024 |
| Place | Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield |
| Directed by | Ed Stambollouian |
Kenrex is a true-crime thriller play that dramatizes the real-life events surrounding the 1981 killing of Ken Rex McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri. It's co-written by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian. It also features an original score by John Patrick Elliott. It had its world premiere at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in Sheffield in October 2024.
Synopsis
[edit]The play is set in the rural town of Skidmore, Missouri, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period of economic decline for the local farming community. The narrative centers on the reign of terror led by Ken Rex McElroy, a local man who had spent decades intimidating the town through a cycle of cattle rustling, arson, and assault. Despite being indicted for dozens of felonies over twenty years, McElroy consistently avoided conviction by threatening witnesses and exploiting legal loopholes, earning him a reputation as an "untouchable" outlaw.[1]
Production history
[edit]Sheffield (2024)
[edit]The play received its world premiere as part of Sheffield Theatre's 2024–25 season. It began performances on 26 October at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse and ran through 16 November.[2]
London (2025)
[edit]The production transferred to the Southwark Playhouse Borough on 14 February 2025 and ran through 16 March. Holden reprised his performance from Sheffield.[3]
The production subsequently returned to London at The Other Palace in late 2025. Performances began on 3 December 2025 and ran through 1 February 2026.[4] The production was subsequently nominated for 6 Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best Play.[5] It won two of them: Jack Holden won Best Actor and Giles Thomas took Best Sound Design.[6][7][8]
Off-Broadway (2026)
[edit]The production made its North American premiere Off-Broadway in New York City on April 16 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, with Holden reprising his performance.[9][6][10] The production received positive reviews,[11] and was nominated for three Drama Desk Awards, with Holden winning Outstanding Solo Performance and composer John Patrick Elliott winning Outstanding Music in a Play.[12]
Awards and nominations
[edit]2025 London production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Laurence Olivier Awards[13] | Best New Play | Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | Jack Holden | Won | |||
| Best Director | Ed Stambollouian | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting Design | Joshua Pharo | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Design | Giles Thomas | Won | |||
| Outstanding Musical Contribution | John Patrick Elliott (composition) | Nominated |
2026 Off-Broadway production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Solo Performance | Jack Holden | Won | [14][15][16] |
| Outstanding Music in a Play | John Patrick Elliott | Won | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design of a Play | Giles Thomas | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Solo Performance | Jack Holden | Nominated | [17] |
References
[edit]- ↑ Green, Jesse (2026-04-27). "Review: 'Kenrex' Turns True Crime Into a Rock Show". |The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Editorial, West End Theatre (2024-03-08). "KENREX written by and starring Jack Holden to premiere at Sheffield Theatres | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ↑ "Kenrex to transfer to London following Sheffield premiere". 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ↑ Editorial, West End Theatre (2025-08-05). "Kenrex starring Jack Holden to return to London at The Other Palace Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ↑ "2026 Archives | Official London Theatre". officiallondontheatre.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- 1 2 "How to See True Crime Thriller Kenrex for $32". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2026-04-16. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ Maxwell, Dominic (2026-04-12). "Olivier Awards 2026 winners: Rachel Zegler and Rosamund Pike deserved to win". The Times. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ Barekat, Houman; Wolf, Matt; Felder, Tess (2026-04-13). "As London Celebrates the Best of Theater, Musicals Are All the Rage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ Wood, Alex (2026-01-27). "Kenrex with Jack Holden to transfer to New York". Whats On Stage. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ↑ Sims, Joey (7 April 2026). "KENREX Unfolds Like a True Crime Podcast Onstage, and Jack Holden is At the Center". Theatrely. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ Green, Jesse (2026-04-27). "Review: 'Kenrex' Turns True Crime Into a Rock Show". |The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2026). "Ragtime Leads 2026 Drama Desk Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Archives | Official London Theatre". officiallondontheatre.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
- ↑ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 29, 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2026). "Ragtime Leads 2026 Drama Desk Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 24, 2026.