This morning was a very exciting moment for the theatre industry as the 2026 Tony Award Nominations were announced. Below, see live reactions from the various 2026 Nominees. Keep checking back throughout the day as we update the below.

"I am grateful to be counted among such luminaries as my friend Kelli O’Hara, the truly gifted Rose Byrne, an astonishing Susannah Flood, and the legendary Leslie Manville. I’m also thrilled for my BUG design team, who made a difficult job look deceptively simple." Carrie Coon, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for BUG.

“I think it most appropriate to quote from the song, ‘My legs may be tottery. I must go slow, and be careful of Old Deuteronomy.’” André De Shields, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for CATS: The Jellicle Ball

"My heart is pounding, pouring over with gratitude. Thank you to the Tony Committee for this humbling recognition. Returning to Broadway has been so artistically fulfilling and it moves me deeply to be witnessed and celebrated by the community. Gosh, I love the theater and I love being in The Rocky Horror Show in the limitless sandbox that Sam Pinkleton has cultivated. It is a gift to unleash Janet Weiss night after night. I can’t wait to keep sharing her with you." Stephanie Hsu, nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actress for The Rocky Horror Show.

"This is a bit of a moment for me. To be recognised in this way by such an esteemed body is as good as it gets. I couldn’t be prouder of Oedipus and the remarkable team I got to navigate this highly complex play with 8 times a week, most notably the magnificent Mark Strong." Leslie Manville, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for Oedipus.

"What a sweet, thrilling surprise! I'm humbled and happy to be in the company of these wonderful actors in my category. And I can't wait to celebrate tonight by playing this beautiful play with such a superb company. Wow." Richard Thomas, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for The Balusters.

"I’m beyond honored to have The Balusters included among this year’s Tony nominees—especially in a season with so many bold, beautiful new plays. The nomination is really a testament to the remarkable artists who brought the play to life—our astonishing director, Kenny Leon, our extraordinary ensemble of actors, our brilliant designers, and the tireless crew, along with everyone at MTC. I’m so grateful to get to make theater and be part of a community that continues to sustain and inspire me in so many ways." David Lindsay-Abaire, nominated for Best Play for The Balusters

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this honor. To be working in the theatre, let alone on Broadway, has been my dream since I transformed my grandparents' garage into a stage as a kid. More important than the personal honor is the deep sense of pride I have for my fellow collaborators who poured their souls into the monumental undertaking that is The Lost Boys. They are all my heroes and I am so grateful for the selflessness, rigor, and passion they brought to work every day. Congrats to all the nominees and all the countless artists and technicians who make every show possible and who continue to delight and inspire audiences 8 times a week on Broadway." - Michael Arden, nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

"The Lost Boys was as much of a thrill ride to make as it is onstage. I am incredibly honored to be nominated amongst the best designers working on Broadway and as part of a creative team that was recognized across the board for this biggest of swings." Dane Laffrey, nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for The Lost Boys.

“What fantastic news to wake up to. I was working out, not watching it directly, but I got a text. I’m grateful to the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League. Congrats to all of the other nominees, what a spectacular group. My deepest thanks Scott Ellis and everyone at Roundabout. Scott is the most amazing leader, and he created the opportunity to bring this Noël Coward world to stage. And congratulations to Kelli, Rose, and Jeff Mahshie and everyone else involved. This is a total total thrill.” David Rockwell, nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Play for Fallen Angels

"I’m beyond excited to be nominated alongside the most daring collaborators. The Lost Boys took a big, fearless leap, and getting to take that jump with my collaborators is something that I will never forget.  I am indebted to and so proud of the greatest lighting team on Broadway!" Jen Schriever, nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for The Lost Boy

“I’m completely over the moon to be nominated for my work on Oedipus which was redesigned for New York after the initial London run. It was, and always is, a pleasure to be welcomed by the Broadway community.” Natasha Chivers, nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Play for Oedipus

“I’m currently on New Jersey Transit to Penn Station to go observe a brain surgery to research a television show I’m filming, but I think they are going to have to put me on an operating table because I cannot comprehend this news. I first heard from my manager David Williams and then my phone just started blowing up. I’m just trying to take it all in. Before David called, my phone sent me a notification about a memory from a year ago where my family was all gathered for my father’s funeral. And it’s so apropos because my dad has been with me this entire process and I just think about him and how supportive he was my entire life. And how I would have loved to have shared this with him in person. But I know I get to share it with him now and every day moving forward. Thank you, dad. Thank you Crystal, my wife, and Chase my son. And all of the Waiting for Godot team, Alex, Keanu, Michael, Zayn, Eric, and Jamie Lloyd, our director, our stage management team,  the designers, and especially the crew at the Hudson Theatre who made it a joy to come to work every day. It’s really clarifying how many people it takes to arrive at a singular moment in your life, but it is just a really profound honor to represent everyone who worked so hard on the show and bringing it to the audiences. Here we go!” Brandon J. Dirden, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Waiting for Godot.

The champagne is chilled and the ballots are ready. The nominees for the 2026 Tony Awardswere announced today and now let the campaigning begin!

Eligible for the 2025-2026 season are 30 productions, with six new musicals, nine new plays, five musical revivals, and ten play revivals, who all hoped to hear their name called this morning. The nominations were revealed by Uzo Aduba  and Darren Criss, live from the Sofitel Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

The winners of the 79th annual Tony Awards will be revealed on Broadway's biggest night on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall. Grammy Award winner Pink will host the main event, which will air from 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/5:00-8:00 PM, PT on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*. 

Stay here for live updates as the nominations are being announced:

Best Musical

The Lost Boys

Schmigadoon!

Titaníque

Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)

Best Play

The Balusters 

Giant

Liberation 

Little Bear Ridge Road

Best Book of a Musical

The Lost Boys

David Hornsby and Chris Hoch

Schmigadoon!

Cinco Paul

Titaníque

Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Music: Caroline Shaw

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Music: Steve Bargonetti

The Lost Boys

Music & Lyrics: The Rescues

Schmigadoon!

Music & Lyrics: Cinco Paul

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Music & Lyrics: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Will Harrison, Punch

Nathan Lane, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

John Lithgow, Giant

Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing

Mark Strong, Oedipus

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rose Byrne, Fallen Angels

Carrie Coon, Bug

Susannah Flood, Liberation

Lesley Manville, Oedipus

Kelli O’Hara, Fallen Angels

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nicholas Christopher, Chess

Luke Evans, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Joshua Henry, Ragtime

Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Stephanie Hsu, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Marla Mindelle, Titaníque

Christiani Pitts, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Christopher Abbott, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Danny Burstein, Marjorie Prime

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

Alden Ehrenreich, Becky Shaw

Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Richard Thomas, The Balusters

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Betsy Aidem, Liberation

Marylouise Burke, The Balusters

Aya Cash, Giant

Laurie Metcalf, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

June Squibb, Marjorie Prime

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Lost Boys

André De Shields, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Bryce Pinkham, Chess

Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime

Layton Williams, Titaníque

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Shoshana Bean, The Lost Boys

Hannah Cruz, Chess

Rachel Dratch, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Ana Gasteyer, Schmigadoon!

Nichelle Lewis, Ragtime

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Hildegard Bechtler, Oedipus

Takeshi Kata, Bug

Chloe Lamford, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

David Korins, Dog Day Afternoon

David Rockwell, Fallen Angels

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

dots, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Soutra Gilmour, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Rachel Hauck, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys

Scott Pask, Schmigadoon!

Best Costume Design of a Play

Brenda Abbandandolo, Dog Day Afternoon

Qween Jean, Liberation

Jeff Mahshie, Fallen Angels

Emilio Sosa, The Balusters

Paul Tazewell, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Linda Cho, Ragtime

Linda Cho, Schmigadoon!

Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Ryan Park, The Lost Boys

David I. Reynoso, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Isabella Byrd, Dog Day Afternoon

Natasha Chivers, Oedipus

Stacey Derosier, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Heather Gilbert, Bug

Heather Gilbert, The Fear of 13

Jack Knowles, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Chess

Jane Cox, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Donald Holder, Schmigadoon!

Adam Honoré, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Adam Honoré and Donald Holder (Lighting Design) and 59 Studio (Projection Design), Ragtime

Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Best Sound Design of a Play

Justin Ellington, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Tom Gibbons, Oedipus

Lee Kinney, The Fear of 13

Josh Schmidt, Bug

Mikaal Sulaiman, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Kai Harada, Ragtime

Adam Fisher, The Lost Boys

Brian Ronan, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Walter Trarbach, Schmigadoon!

Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, Giant

Robert Icke, Oedipus

Kenny Leon, The Balusters

Joe Mantello, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Whitney White, Liberation

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Lear deBessonet, Ragtime

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Tim Jackson, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Best Choreography

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Ellenore Scott, Ragtime

Ani Taj, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, The Lost Boys

Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, Schmigadoon!

Ethan Popp, Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez and Gabriel Mann, The Lost Boys

Lux Pyramid, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brian Usifer, Chess

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder and Doug Schadt, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Tony Nominations by Production

The Lost Boys - 12

Schmigadoon! - 12

Ragtime - 11

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman - 9

Cats: The Jellicle Ball - 9

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show - 9

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) - 8

Oedipus - 7

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone - 5

The Balusters - 5

Chess - 5

Fallen Angels - 5

Liberation - 5

Bug - 4

Giant - 4

Titaníque - 4

Dog Day Afternoon - 3

Becky Shaw - 2

Every Brilliant Thing - 2

The Fear of 13 - 2

Marjorie Prime - 2

Little Bear Ridge Road - 1

Punch - 1

Waiting for Godot - 1

Get those bagels toasted and mimosas poured, we got brunch plans! Today, Theatrely Editor-in-Chief Kobi Kassal and Christopher Ketner and Hunter Regian of Origin Story Productions announced that they will host an inaugural Broadway Breakout Brunch, on Friday, May 22 at Ascent Lounge in New York City to celebrate the next generation of Broadway talent on stage and off. 

The brunch will honor breakout stars Anania (The Rocky Horror Show), Isa Briones (Just in Time), Aidan Close & Emmet Smith (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), McKenzie Kurtz (Schmigadoon!), Whitney Leavitt (Chicago), Jake Shane (All Out: Comedy About Ambition) and Runyonland Productions (Thomas Laub and Alyah Chanelle Scott) for their contributions to the Broadway landscape this season and beyond. 

Performers, presenters, and host will be announced at a later date.

“It has been such an honor serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Theatrely for the past few years, watching the history of our industry being written in real time.” said Kassal. “I know I speak for the entire team here and our partners at Origin Story Productions when I say that we are so proud to celebrate and honor the young artists both on and off the stage who make Broadway what it is. And what better way to celebrate than with brunch! I look forward to continuing to champion the next generation for years to come. Now pass the avocado toast!”

In a joint statement, Ketner and Regian said: “This event is a celebration of the artists and creatives helping to make this season on Broadway so exciting, and we are honored to produce it alongside our friends at Theatrely. At Origin Story Productions, bringing our community together in creative and showstopping ways is at the core of what we love to do, and the Broadway Breakout Brunch is exactly that. Expect a room full of energy, talent, and the kind of joy that makes Broadway so special.”

Ketner and Regian’s new production company, Origin Story Productions, will serve as Executive Producers for the event. To learn more about the brunch and how to get involved, reach out to info@theatrely.com