Tony Awards 2026: What To Watch On Broadway’s Biggest Night/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Broadway’s biggest night arrives June 7 with top contenders “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” leading the nominations. The 2026 Tony Awards will feature major performances, historic award possibilities, and first-time nominees competing in key categories. The ceremony comes after Broadway posted a second consecutive record-breaking box office season. Tony Awards

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Tony Awards 2026 Quick Looks

• Tony Awards air live June 7 from Radio City Music Hall.
• Pink will host the ceremony for the first time.
• “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” lead with 12 nominations each.
• June Squibb could become the oldest Tony winner ever.
• Nathan Lane seeks a historic fourth Tony Award.
• Seven major musical performances are scheduled.
• “The Book of Mormon” cast will reunite for its 15th anniversary.
• Broadway generated a record $1.91 billion this season.
• Attendance declined slightly despite revenue growth.
• Twenty-six competitive awards will be presented.

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Deep Look

Broadway’s Biggest Night Returns

NEW YORK — The theater world is preparing for its biggest celebration of the year as the 2026 Tony Awards recognize the best productions, performers, and creative talent from another successful Broadway season.

Twenty-four productions earned Tony nominations this year, but only a select few will leave Radio City Music Hall with Broadway’s most coveted honors.

The ceremony arrives after Broadway posted a second straight record-setting season at the box office, demonstrating the industry’s continued strength despite evolving entertainment habits.

When And How To Watch

The 2026 Tony Awards will be broadcast live on June 7 from New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall.

The ceremony will air from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS and will also stream for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers in the United States.

A pre-show ceremony begins earlier in the evening and will be hosted by actress Laura Benanti and actor Tituss Burgess on Pluto TV.

Pink Takes Center Stage As Host

One of the night’s most anticipated elements is the hosting debut of Pink.

The three-time Grammy Award winner will guide viewers through Broadway’s biggest celebration for the first time.

Producers hope Pink’s broad appeal and energetic stage presence will help attract a larger television audience while maintaining the ceremony’s focus on theatrical excellence.

Her appointment reflects the Tony Awards’ ongoing effort to blend Broadway prestige with mainstream entertainment appeal.

Two Musicals Lead The Race

This year’s nominations are dominated by two productions.

The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! each earned 12 Tony Award nominations, making them the most recognized productions of the season.

“The Lost Boys” adapts the popular 1987 vampire film for the stage, while “Schmigadoon!” transforms the hit television musical comedy into a live theatrical experience.

Both productions are competing for Best Musical and several acting, directing, and design awards.

Strong Competition Across Major Categories

Several other productions remain serious contenders.

The revival of Ragtime earned 11 nominations and enters the ceremony with significant momentum.

Meanwhile, a revival of Death of a Salesman received nine nominations and is expected to compete strongly in acting categories.

The Best Musical nominees include:

• “The Lost Boys”
• “Schmigadoon!”
• “Titaníque”
• “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”

The Best Play category features:

• “The Balusters”
• “Giant”
• “Liberation”
• “Little Bear Ridge Road”

Historic Records Could Fall

Several performers have opportunities to make Tony Awards history.

At age 96, June Squibb became the oldest Tony-nominated actor ever.

If she wins, she would surpass the record currently held by Lois Smith, who won a Tony at age 90 in 2021.

Another major storyline involves Nathan Lane.

Lane is seeking his fourth Tony Award, which would tie him with Boyd Gaines and Frank Langella as the most decorated male performers in Tony Awards history.

His nomination for “Death of a Salesman” gives him a realistic chance of reaching that milestone.

Best Actress Race Features New Faces

One of the most unusual aspects of this year’s awards is the Best Leading Actress in a Musical category.

For the first time since 2002, every nominee is a first-time Tony nominee.

The contenders include:

• Sara Chase (“Schmigadoon!”)
• Stephanie Hsu (“The Rocky Horror Show”)
• Caissie Levy (“Ragtime”)
• Marla Mindelle (“Titanique”)
• Christiani Pitts (“Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”)

The category guarantees a breakthrough moment regardless of who wins.

Performances Will Highlight Broadway’s Best

As always, live performances will be a centerpiece of the broadcast.

Musicals scheduled to perform include:

• “The Lost Boys”
• “Schmigadoon!”
• “Titanique”
• “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”
• “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”
• “Ragtime”
• “The Rocky Horror Show”

These performances often provide some of the most memorable moments of the evening and can significantly boost ticket sales for participating productions.

Book Of Mormon Reunion Adds Nostalgia

The ceremony will also celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Book of Mormon.

Original cast members Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Rory O’Malley, and Nikki M. James will reunite for a special performance honoring one of Broadway’s most successful modern musicals.

The reunion is expected to be one of the night’s emotional highlights.

Broadway Sets Another Revenue Record

The awards arrive following another remarkable financial year for Broadway.

The 2025-26 season generated approximately $1.91 billion in ticket sales, surpassing the previous record of $1.89 billion set the year before.

The achievement marks the second consecutive season in which Broadway established a new box office record.

However, attendance declined slightly compared with the previous season, suggesting higher ticket prices played a significant role in driving revenue growth.

Rising Ticket Prices Continue Trend

Broadway’s average paid admission reached $131.09 during the season.

The figure continues a long-running trend of rising ticket costs across the theater industry.

While producers welcome the strong revenue numbers, industry observers continue debating how increasing prices may affect long-term accessibility for audiences.

Still, Broadway’s financial performance suggests demand for live theater remains strong heading into another competitive awards season.

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