The theatre world just handed Brian J. Smith one of its biggest compliments as the Wall Street Journal officially named Signature Theatre’s production of Grangeville one of the best shows of 2025.
The honor marks a major artistic triumph for Smith who has spent the past year quietly building momentum with his powerful work on stage.
The play, written by acclaimed playwright Samuel D.
Hunter and directed by Jack Serio, earned widespread praise for its emotional depth and its intimate portrayal of a fractured family trying to make sense of grief and guilt.
Critics particularly singled out Smith and co-star Paul Sparks for performances that felt lived-in, raw, and quietly devastating.
For longtime fans of Smith, the recognition feels like a long-awaited return to the spotlight after his breakout as Will Gorski in Netflix’s iconic LGBTQ+ series Sense8.
That role made Smith a global fan favorite thanks to a mix of emotional vulnerability, action-hero charm, and his central part in one of television’s most celebrated queer love stories.
Since then he has built an impressively varied resume across stage and screen with standout roles in Treadstone, The Enemy Within, and acclaimed Broadway productions including The Glass Menagerie, for which he received a Tony nomination.
But this new stage success feels particularly meaningful because it comes at a moment where Smith seems firmly rooted in both his craft and his personal life.
Shortly after the Wall Street Journal announcement, Smith’s boyfriend Matt Consalvo shared the news on his Instagram Stories with a proud and heartfelt “😍 proud!” message tagged directly to Smith.
The simple post instantly charmed fans who adore the couple’s warm and low-key public presence.
Consalvo and Smith have appeared together frequently over the past year from Fire Island to national park hikes to behind-the-scenes glimpses of their theatre adventures.
The supportive message from Consalvo added an intimate emotional layer to an already career-defining moment for Smith.
The combination of critical acclaim and personal celebration turned the WSJ honor into something far more than just a line on a resume.
It became a snapshot of an artist who is flourishing creatively while surrounded by love.
For fans of theatre, queer representation, and Smith’s long-running journey from sci-fi stardom to dramatic centerpiece, Grangeville now feels like required viewing.
With awards season still ahead and the industry buzzing about Hunter’s understated but powerful play, Smith’s performance may be only at the beginning of its recognition.
For now the applause is well deserved, the reviews are glowing, and one extremely proud boyfriend is cheering louder than anyone else.
📷 IG: @ smithespis / matt.consalvo