The play received two 2006 Tony Award nominations, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play (Platt). The New York Times critic Ben Brantley described it as a "Quiet, haunting and absolutely glorious new play... Shining City is as close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets."
The play was nominated twice for Tony Awards in 2006—Best Play and Best Actor in a Play (Platt). The New York Times critic Ben Brantley characterized it as "Muted, hauntingly beautiful new drama... Shining City is as close to perfection as contemporary writing can get."