Los Angeles journalist earns recognition from the Los Angeles Press Club for his in-depth writing across music, theater, film, television, and cultural commentary at the 2026 NAEJ Awards.
By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11-02-2026
The Hollywood Times is proud to celebrate an extraordinary achievement by contributing journalist and arts critic John Lavitt, who has earned eight finalist nominations across eight categories at the Los Angeles Press Club’s 19th National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Announced on October 27, 2026, the nominations recognize Lavitt’s wide-ranging coverage of the entertainment industry, spanning intimate portraits of legendary performers and thought-provoking examinations of contemporary theater, cultural identity, and the complex relationship between art and society.
For a journalist whose work moves fluidly across music, theater, film, television, and cultural commentary, the eight nominations recognize his versatility and dedication to arts journalism.
Lavitt’s appreciation for musical legends and cultural icons shines through in his coverage of a Hollywood Bowl tribute to the incomparable Minnie Riperton, whose extraordinary voice and enduring musical legacy continue to resonate across generations. His coverage earned two finalist nominations in the Obituary/In Appreciation, Music Personalities, and Soft News, Music categories.
His article celebrating Riperton’s artistry explored a remarkable evening that brought together legendary musicians Stevie Wonder and George Benson, highlighted by a particularly moving appearance by Riperton’s daughter, Maya Rudolph. Lavitt’s coverage revealed that the concert transcended nostalgia, celebrating Riperton’s enduring message of love, healing, and human connection.
Another nomination honors his coverage of the centennial celebration of Lenny Bruce, the groundbreaking comedian whose fearless advocacy for free expression transformed American comedy.
In “Ronnie Marmo and Joe Mantegna Celebrate Lenny Bruce’s 100th Birthday,” Lavitt explores the enduring cultural significance of an artist whose influence still challenges audiences and inspires performers. The celebration at Theatre 68 in North Hollywood featured Marmo’s acclaimed one-man show, directed by Mantegna, and served as a compelling reminder of Bruce’s lasting influence on American culture.
Lavitt also focuses on revealing the value behind Hollywood legends, television history, and the power of storytelling. As a result, his film and television journalism has received significant recognition. Lavitt’s feature on Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson, which explored Hudson’s performance in Song Sung Blue and the emotional response it elicited from Kurt Russell, earned a nomination in the Film Feature, Actor-Related category.
The article goes beyond a traditional celebrity interview, revealing the profound connections among family, artistic expression, and the personal experiences that shape an actor’s performance.
Another nomination recognizes his retrospective marking the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels, starring Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd. Beyond television nostalgia, the article examines the actresses’ experiences navigating Hollywood, their enduring personal connections, and their shared understanding of the challenges posed by breast cancer.
Together, these stories reflect Lavitt’s interest in the human experiences behind Hollywood’s most recognizable figures.
Viewing theater as a mirror of contemporary society, Lavitt earned three additional nominations for his coverage of productions that examine challenging social questions.
His coverage of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at the Mark Taper Forum earned recognition in the Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts Industry category. The article examines themes of freedom, survival, immigration, and identity through Jocelyn Bioh’s contemporary theatrical production, demonstrating how the everyday experiences of immigrant women illuminate broader questions of belonging in American society.
Two other nominations recognize Lavitt’s writing about Right, Darryl Vinyard’s provocative play at the Whitefire Theatre, which examines the intersection of vaccinations, family trauma, artistic expression, and the search for truth.
The Theater Feature nomination recognizes “Right About Now: Vaccinations, Trauma, and Theatre’s Search for Truth,” while the Commentary Analysis/Trend, Other nomination honors “When Being Unrelentingly Right About Vaccinations Leads to Trauma at the Whitefire Theatre.”
These nominations demonstrate Lavitt’s willingness to engage with challenging subjects, treating theater not merely as entertainment but as an opportunity to explore the tensions, contradictions, and emotional realities of contemporary life.
The eight NAEJ finalist nominations add to an exceptional year for Lavitt.
At the Los Angeles Press Club’s 68th Southern California Journalism Awards in June 2026, he earned First Place in Best Theatre/Performing Arts Critic (All Media) and Second Place in Best Non-Political Commentary Online.
His earlier Los Angeles Press Club Awards honors include Third Place in Theatre/Performing Arts Feature (Online) in 2022, Second Place in Music Critic (Any Platform) in 2023, and Third Place in Theatre/Performing Arts Feature (Online) in 2025.
The latest nominations further underscore the breadth of Lavitt’s work and his dedication to arts journalism, which extends beyond reviewing performances to explore the artists, histories, and cultural conversations that give them meaning.
For The Hollywood Times, Lavitt’s recognition is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of independent arts journalism and the writers who dedicate themselves to documenting Los Angeles’s creative life.
From the Hollywood Bowl to intimate Los Angeles theaters, and from beloved television icons to contemporary cultural debates, Lavitt’s journalism reflects an enduring curiosity about the creative process and the people who shape it.
His work consistently seeks to connect artistic achievement to the broader human experience, reminding readers that music, theater, film, and television can illuminate the world we live in.
The Hollywood Times congratulates John Lavitt on his eight finalist nominations and celebrates his ongoing contributions to arts and entertainment journalism.
The winners of the 19th National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards will be announced on December 6, 2026, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
For additional information, visit the Los Angeles Press Club and review the official 2026 finalist nominations.
