Hairspray and Billy Elliot Lead Nominations for Argentine Musical Theater's Hugo Awards

The 16th edition of the Hugo Awards, which honor the best of Argentine musical theater, has unveiled its list of nominees. Created by Ricky Pashkus and Pablo Gorlero, the awards saw their jury evaluate productions staged between August 1, 2025, and July 2026.

"Hairspray" emerged as the frontrunner with 16 nominations, closely followed by "Billy Elliot," which garnered 15. Other highly nominated shows include "Company" with 13 nominations, "Invasiones I: No bombardeen Buenos Aires" with 11, and "The Wizard of Oz" with 10. The list also features "Anastasia" (8 nominations), "Remigio Verdiales, un carpincho" (7), and "Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate" and "The ópera locos" (both with 6).

Notably, the nominations showcase a mix of commercial productions and those from public institutions like the Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires (CTBA) and the Teatro Nacional Cervantes. Fernando Dente is a prominent figure, having directed both "Hairspray" and "Company," and is also nominated for best leading actor.

This year's nominations present a potential comeback for "Billy Elliot," which received only two nominations at the earlier Pinti Awards, and "Anastasia." The final verdict will be revealed on September 14 during a ceremony at the Teatro Coliseo, which will be broadcast live by Televisión Pública. The event will also present honorary awards and the Hugo Federal Awards for productions from various regions across Argentina.