New York, May 7, 2026, 09:06 EDT
The Tony nominations for 2026 shaped up into a faceoff between two new musicals: both “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” landed 12 nominations apiece, grabbing the spotlight. Big names in celebrity-fronted shows, though, didn’t make the main lineup. “Ragtime” pulled in 11 noms, close behind, while “Death of a Salesman” topped the plays category with nine. Reuters
The calendar is key here. With nominations now in, Broadway productions get a crucial four-week push leading up to the June 7 event at Radio City Music Hall—prime time for Tony buzz to draw eyes in a jam-packed season. CBS announced P!NK as host for the 79th Tony Awards, set to air on CBS and stream via Paramount+.
“The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” are up against “Titaníque” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” for best musical, making for a tight contest. As for best play, “The Balusters,” “Giant,” “Liberation,” and “Little Bear Ridge Road” all grabbed nominations, letting fresh scripts share the spotlight with heavyweight revivals. Broadway Direct
The snubs came fast and clear. “The Queen of Versailles,” “Call Me Izzy,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Art,” and “Proof” all ended up with nothing—Playbill says not a single nomination for any of them. Lea Michele didn’t make the lead actress cut for “Chess,” despite the attention around her this season. Playbill
Big names from both film and television got snubbed. AP flagged Ayo Edebiri as missing for “Proof.” “The Bear” duo Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were also absent for “Dog Day Afternoon.” No nods either for Bobby Cannavale, Keanu Reeves, or Alex Winter. Brandon J. Dirden, however, did pick up a featured actor nomination for “Waiting for Godot.” AP News
Records fell as well: June Squibb, at 96, set a new benchmark as the oldest performer ever nominated for a Tony, recognized for “Marjorie Prime.” Danny Burstein picked up his ninth nod, edging up the ranks among male performers. As for Squibb, she joked she was “thrilled” about what the nomination might do for her career—a wry comment from a first-time Tony contender with decades already logged. Broadway News
The voting pool stands as the final word on early buzz. According to the American Theatre Wing, an independent panel of 55 theatre professionals picked this year’s nominees across 26 competitive categories. 857 Tony voters will select the winners. Shows needed to open at one of Broadway’s 41 theatres between April 28, 2025, and April 26, 2026, to be in the running.
The core risk is pretty clear: nominations only hint at what could happen, nothing more. Winning early buzz doesn’t guarantee a trophy later on. Star-driven productions might fill seats even if they miss out on a Tony nod, but being nominated doesn’t mean a show is set—those productions still have to leverage the attention into actual votes, box office momentum, and long-term survival.
There’s still space for a shakeup in a crowded race. “Ragtime” carries revival muscle, “Death of a Salesman” stretches across the play category, and “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” delivers a splashy reinterpretation of a well-known show. Yet, new musicals hold the spotlight for the moment, with “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” leading the pack.
Tony organizers are pitching the broadcast as something bigger than just handing out trophies. Heather Hitchens, who heads up the American Theatre Wing, and Jason Laks, president at the Broadway League, describe the Tonys as helping “create new theatre fans around the world.” The phrasing underscores the broader push: marketing Broadway to audiences outside the usual theatre district crowd. Playbill
