‘Schmigadoon!’ Wins Big As Tony Awards Celebrate Broadway/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ “Schmigadoon!” captured Best Musical at the 2026 Tony Awards, highlighting a night dedicated to Broadway’s enduring magic. The ceremony featured emotional first-time winners, memorable reunions, and heartfelt acceptance speeches. Host Pink energized the audience while stars celebrated theater, family, teachers, and the community behind Broadway success.
Schmigadoon Tony Awards Quick Looks
- “Schmigadoon!” won Best Musical.
- Pink made her debut as Tony Awards host.
- Original “Book of Mormon” cast reunited for a special performance.
- Joshua Henry earned his first Tony Award.
- Caissie Levy won Leading Actress in a Musical.
- “Liberation” captured Best Play honors.
- Bess Wohl became the first American woman to win Best Play since 1989.
- Cole Escola delivered one of the night’s funniest moments.
- Broadway veterans received emotional standing ovations.
- Knicks references sparked cheers from the New York crowd.
Deep Look
Broadway Celebrates Its Biggest Night
The 2026 Tony Awards delivered an evening filled with emotion, celebration, and a deep appreciation for the artists who make Broadway thrive.
Held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the ceremony felt less like a traditional awards show and more like a reunion of theater’s biggest stars. Familiar faces, first-time winners, and legendary performers gathered to celebrate a remarkable Broadway season.
At the center of the night was “Schmigadoon!,” the musical adaptation of the popular television series that ultimately claimed the coveted Best Musical award.
“Schmigadoon!” Takes Home Top Prize
The biggest honor of the evening went to “Schmigadoon!,” a production that lovingly celebrates the traditions and history of Broadway musicals.
Producer and “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels accepted the award by highlighting the timeless appeal of musical theater.
“Sometimes singing, dancing, jokes and a happy ending are all you need.”
The acceptance speech became one of the night’s most memorable moments when producer Christine Schwarzman jokingly thanked Apple TV for canceling the television show’s third season.
“Without them dropping it, we couldn’t have picked it up and ran with it. So, thanks Apple TV.”
The comment drew laughter and applause from the audience.
Pink Brings Energy To The Ceremony
Singer Pink made her debut as host and quickly won over the Broadway crowd.
The evening opened with a humorous segment in which Pink pretended to struggle while suspended from a wire, parodying the role of Peter Pan. Veteran Tony host Neil Patrick Harris appeared to reassure her.
“You’re Pink! You can do anything.”
Pink then launched into an energetic opening number featuring approximately 170 Broadway performers.
The production celebrated the season’s shows and performers with a musical tribute packed with references to Broadway stars and productions. The audience responded enthusiastically, making it one of the evening’s standout performances.
“The Book of Mormon” Reunion Delights Fans
One of the most nostalgic moments came when the original cast of “The Book of Mormon” reunited to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary.
The performance featured Josh Gad, Nikki M. James, Andrew Rannells, and other original cast members.
Their appearance brought back memories of one of Broadway’s most influential musicals and generated some of the loudest applause of the night.
Fans especially enjoyed watching Gad return to perform “Man Up,” a signature number from the production.
Joshua Henry Finally Wins His First Tony
Among the evening’s most emotional victories was Joshua Henry’s first Tony Award win.
After multiple nominations throughout his acclaimed career, Henry earned the award for Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in “Ragtime.”
The audience responded with one of the longest standing ovations of the night.
During his acceptance speech, Henry thanked his family and offered special recognition to the voice teacher who helped shape his career.
He also paid tribute to Broadway icons Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, who starred in the original production of “Ragtime.”
Caissie Levy Honors Parents And Babysitters
Another memorable first-time winner was Caissie Levy, who won Leading Actress in a Musical.
Known for originating the role of Elsa in Broadway’s “Frozen,” Levy earned praise for her portrayal of Mother in “Ragtime.”
While thanking family, friends, and collaborators, she also highlighted a group rarely mentioned during awards speeches.
“Thank you to … every babysitter who’s made it possible for me to be both a Broadway actor and a mother.”
The heartfelt acknowledgment resonated with many working parents throughout the theater community.
“Liberation” Makes Broadway History
The award for Best Play went to “Liberation,” written by Bess Wohl.
The production explores feminism across generations by connecting present-day experiences with the women’s movement of the 1970s.
Wohl used her acceptance speech to recognize a historic milestone. She became the first American woman since Wendy Wasserstein in 1989 to win the Tony Award for Best Play.
Addressing women and girls watching the broadcast, she offered an inspiring message:
“May you speak your truth and may the world be wise enough to listen.”
The play also won the Pulitzer Prize earlier this year.
Cole Escola Delivers Comic Relief
Humor was never far away during the ceremony.
Playwright and performer Cole Escola, creator of the hit comedy “Oh Mary!,” delivered one of the evening’s funniest moments while presenting an award alongside Maya Rudolph.
Referencing the tragic Greek story of Oedipus, Escola joked:
“(It’s) a play that asks the question: Can women really have it all?”
The joke landed perfectly with the Broadway audience, especially after actress Lesley Manville later discussed portraying Jocasta in the acclaimed production.
Broadway Meets Knicks Fever
The excitement surrounding New York sports also made its way into the ceremony.
Actor John Leguizamo sparked cheers when he ended his remarks with:
“Knicks in four!”
The audience erupted in applause as the New York Knicks carried a 2-0 lead into the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
The moment reflected the city’s growing excitement as both Broadway and professional basketball enjoyed major moments on the national stage.
Audience Joins The Show
Even during commercial breaks, the energy inside Radio City Music Hall remained high.
Audience members learned choreography and interactive routines tied to upcoming performances.
Fans practiced movements involving paper fans ahead of a performance from “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a modern reimagining of the classic musical inspired by queer ballroom culture.
Later, attendees were taught dance moves for “The Rocky Horror Show” and its iconic “Time Warp” number.
A Celebration Of Broadway Community
Beyond the awards themselves, the evening served as a reminder of what makes Broadway unique.
The night celebrated not only performers and productions but also teachers, families, caregivers, mentors, and countless people who support artists behind the scenes.
From emotional first-time victories to joyful reunions and historic achievements, the 2026 Tony Awards delivered a powerful tribute to the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that continue to define Broadway.
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