# Kenrex (play) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kenrex_(play) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kenrex_(play).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenrex_(play) > Source revision: 1355945299 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|2024 play}}{{Infobox play | name = Kenrex | image = KenrexPoster.jpg | caption = Original London Production Poster | writer = [Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) & [Ed Stambollouian](/source/Ed_Stambollouian) | based_on = The story of [Ken McElroy](/source/Ken_McElroy) | director = [Ed Stambollouian](/source/Ed_Stambollouian) | music = John Patrick Elliott | lyrics = John Patrick Elliott | premiere = 26 October 2024 | place = [Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse](/source/Tanya_Moiseiwitsch_Playhouse), [Sheffield](/source/Sheffield) | genre = [True crime](/source/True_crime) }} '''''Kenrex''''' is a [true-crime](/source/True_crime) [thriller](/source/Thriller_(genre)) play that dramatizes the real-life events surrounding the 1981 killing of [Ken Rex McElroy](/source/Ken_Rex_McElroy) in [Skidmore, Missouri](/source/Skidmore%2C_Missouri). It's co-written by [Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) and [Ed Stambollouian](/source/Ed_Stambollouian). It also features an original score by John Patrick Elliott. It had its world premiere at the [Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse](/source/Tanya_Moiseiwitsch_Playhouse) in [Sheffield](/source/Sheffield) in October 2024. == Synopsis == The play is set in the rural town of [Skidmore](/source/Skidmore%2C_Missouri), [Missouri](/source/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](/source/Ken_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.{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |title=Review: ‘Kenrex’ Turns True Crime Into a Rock Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/27/theater/kenrex-review.html |work={{!}}The New York Times |date=2026-04-27 |access-date=2026-05-24}} == Production history == === Sheffield (2024) === The play received its world premiere as part of Sheffield Theatre's 2024{{endash}}25 season. It began performances on 26 October at the [Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse](/source/Tanya_Moiseiwitsch_Playhouse) and ran through 16 November.{{Cite web |last=Editorial |first=West End Theatre |date=2024-03-08 |title=KENREX written by and starring Jack Holden to premiere at Sheffield Theatres {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/225638/news/kenrex-written-by-and-starring-jack-holden-to-premiere-at-sheffield-theatres/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}} === London (2025) === The production transferred to the [Southwark Playhouse Borough](/source/Southwark_Playhouse) on 14 February 2025 and ran through 16 March. Holden reprised his performance from Sheffield.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=Kenrex to transfer to London following Sheffield premiere |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/kenrex-to-transfer-to-london-following-sheffield-premiere_1652450/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |language=en-US}} The production subsequently returned to London at [The Other Palace](/source/The_Other_Palace) in late 2025. Performances began on 3 December 2025 and ran through 1 February 2026.{{Cite web |last=Editorial |first=West End Theatre |date=2025-08-05 |title=Kenrex starring Jack Holden to return to London at The Other Palace Theatre {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/306000/news/kenrex-starring-jack-holden-to-return-to-london-for-christmas-season-at-the-other-palace/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}} The production was subsequently nominated for 6 [Laurence Olivier Awards](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Awards), including Best Play.{{Cite web |title=2026 Archives {{!}} Official London Theatre |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/olivier-awards-2026/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=officiallondontheatre.com |language=en-GB}} It won two of them: [Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) took Best Actor and [Giles Thomas](/source/Giles_Thomas) took Best Sound Design.{{Cite web |title=How to See True Crime Thriller Kenrex for $32 |url=https://playbill.com/article/how-to-see-true-crime-thriller-kenrex-for-32 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260416211051/https://playbill.com/article/how-to-see-true-crime-thriller-kenrex-for-32 |archive-date=2026-04-16 |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Dominic |date=2026-04-12 |title=Olivier Awards 2026 winners: Rachel Zegler and Rosamund Pike deserved to win |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/olivier-awards-2026-winners-full-list-vvrcwppjk |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=The Times |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Barekat |first=Houman |last2=Wolf |first2=Matt |last3=Felder |first3=Tess |date=2026-04-13 |title=As London Celebrates the Best of Theater, Musicals Are All the Rage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/arts/olivier-awards-winners-critics.html |access-date=2026-04-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} === Off-Broadway (2026) === The production made its North American premiere [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) on April 16 at the [Lucille Lortel Theatre](/source/Lucille_Lortel_Theatre), with Holden reprising his performance.{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Kenrex with Jack Holden to transfer to New York |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/kenrex-with-jack-holden-to-transfer-to-new-york_1710130/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |language=en-US|website=Whats On Stage|last=Wood|first=Alex}}{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=Joey |date=7 April 2026 |title=KENREX Unfolds Like a True Crime Podcast Onstage, and Jack Holden is At the Center |url=https://www.theatrely.com/post/kenrex-unfolds-like-a-true-crime-podcast-onstage-and-jack-holden-is-at-the-center |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Theatrely |language=en}} The production received positive reviews,{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |title=Review: ‘Kenrex’ Turns True Crime Into a Rock Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/27/theater/kenrex-review.html |work={{!}}The New York Times |date=2026-04-27 |access-date=2026-05-24}} and was nominated for three [Drama Desk Awards](/source/Drama_Desk_Awards), with Holden winning [Outstanding Solo Performance](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Solo_Performance) and composer John Patrick Elliott winning [Outstanding Music in a Play](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Music_in_a_Play).{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Ragtime Leads 2026 Drama Desk Awards; Read the Full List of Winners |url=https://playbill.com/article/ragtime-leads-2026-drama-desk-awards-read-the-full-list-of-winners |website=Playbill |access-date=May 24, 2026}} == Awards and nominations == ===2025 London production=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;" ! style="width:5%;" |Year ! style="width:20%;" |Award ! style="width:40%;" |Category ! style="width:25%;" |Nominee ! style="width:10%;" |Result ! style="width:10%;" |Ref. |- | rowspan="6" |2026 | rowspan="6" |[Laurence Olivier Awards](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Awards){{Cite web |title=2026 Archives {{!}} Official London Theatre |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/olivier-awards-2026/ |access-date=2026-03-10 |website=officiallondontheatre.com |language=en-GB}} |[Best New Play](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_New_Play) |[Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) and [Ed Stambollouian](/source/Ed_Stambollouian) |{{nom}} |- |[Best Actor](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_Actor) |[Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) |{{won}} |- |[Best Director](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_Director) |[Ed Stambollouian](/source/Ed_Stambollouian) |{{nominated}} |- |[Best Lighting Design](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_Lighting_Design) |Joshua Pharo |{{nom}} |- |[Best Sound Design](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Best_Sound_Design) |Giles Thomas |{{won}} |- |[Outstanding Musical Contribution](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award_for_Outstanding_Musical_Contribution) |John Patrick Elliott (composition) |{{nom}} |} ===2026 Off-Broadway production=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;" ! style="width:5%;" |Year ! style="width:20%;" |Award ! style="width:40%;" |Category ! style="width:25%;" |Nominee ! style="width:10%;" |Result ! style="width:10%;" |Ref. |- |rowspan=4|2026 |rowspan=3|[Drama Desk Award](/source/Drama_Desk_Award) |[Outstanding Solo Performance](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Solo_Performance) |[Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) |{{won}} |rowspan=3|{{cite web |title=2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/207042/2026-drama-desk-award-nominations-announced-full-list/ |website=Broadway.com |date=April 29, 2026 |access-date=April 30, 2026}}{{cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |title=Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here |url=https://playbill.com/article/beau-mexodus-lead-2026-drama-desk-award-nominations-read-the-full-list-here |website=Playbill |date=April 29, 2026 |access-date=April 30, 2026}}{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Ragtime Leads 2026 Drama Desk Awards; Read the Full List of Winners |url=https://playbill.com/article/ragtime-leads-2026-drama-desk-awards-read-the-full-list-of-winners |website=Playbill |access-date=May 19, 2026}} |- |[Outstanding Music in a Play](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Music_in_a_Play) |John Patrick Elliott |{{won}} |- |[Outstanding Sound Design of a Play](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Sound_Design_of_a_Play) |[Giles Thomas](/source/Giles_Thomas) |{{nom}} |- |[Outer Critics Circle Award](/source/Outer_Critics_Circle_Award) |[Outstanding Solo Performance](/source/Outer_Critics_Circle_Award_for_Outstanding_Solo_Performance) |[Jack Holden](/source/Jack_Holden_(actor)) |{{nom}} |{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/article/schmigadoon-ragtime-win-big-at-2026-outer-critics-circle-awards-read-the-full-list-of-winners |title=Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners |website=Playbill |access-date=May 24, 2026}} |} == References == Category:2024 plays Category:Thriller plays Category:True crime Category:Plays set in the 20th century Category:Nodaway County, Missouri --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kenrex (play)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenrex_(play)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenrex_(play)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.