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“The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” Lead 2026 Tony Award Nominations with Historic Recognitions
Two standout musicals, “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!,” each received an impressive 12 Tony Award nominations on Tuesday, marking a major moment in Broadway’s 2026 season. Alongside these frontrunners, June Squibb made history as the oldest actor ever nominated for a Tony at age 96, while Danny Burstein became the most-nominated male actor in Tony history.
“The Lost Boys,” a fresh take on the 1987 cult vampire thriller, and “Schmigadoon!,” an Apple TV musical satire of classic Broadway, topped the nomination list. They were closely followed by the revival of the sweeping early 20th-century musical “Ragtime” with 11 nods, and Arthur Miller’s iconic “Death of a Salesman,” starring Nathan Lane, which earned nine nominations.
In total, 24 productions secured at least one nomination across the 26 Tony categories. Among them were the revival of “Chess,” a Cold War-era drama centered on a chess rivalry and love triangle, and “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a bold reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feline musical that celebrates queer ballroom culture.
Bill Rauch, co-director of the reimagined “Cats,” expressed his excitement: “I’ve spent my career connecting classics to today’s world, and seeing ‘Cats’ live on Broadway this way affirms that journey.”
Best New Musicals and Plays in the Spotlight
The race for best new musical includes “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titanique” – a campy comedy riffing on the 1997 film “Titanic” – and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” a charming romantic comedy set over a weekend in NYC.
Ali Louis Bourzgui, nominated for his role as a seductive vampire in “The Lost Boys,” reflected on the appeal of his character: “People love a villain they can care for. The most compelling villains are complex and three-dimensional – characters you root for despite their flaws.”
On the play side, nominees include John Lithgow’s “Giant,” which delves into antisemitism accusations against author Roald Dahl; the Pulitzer-winning “Liberation,” about a 1970s women’s consciousness-raising group in Ohio; “The Balusters,” a comedic tale of small-town chaos over a stop sign; and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” chronicling a writer’s return home to settle his father’s estate.
Playwright Mark Rosenblatt, who began “Giant” in 2020, noted its striking relevance amid current global events: “The themes are timeless, but its resonance today is profound.”
Historic Milestones and Notable Snubs
June Squibb’s nomination for “Marjorie Prime,” where she plays a widow receiving an AI companion modeled on her late husband, marks her first Tony nod after a long Broadway career dating back to 1960. Reflecting on her age, she said, “I just consider whether I can physically do the role – and thankfully, it doesn’t involve dancing on concrete floors anymore.”
Danny Burstein’s ninth Tony nomination for the same play surpasses Jason Robards’ previous record for most nominations by a male actor. Kelli O’Hara also earned her ninth nomination for “Fallen Angels,” tying for third place on the all-time list for acting nominations.
Not all made the cut this year. Broadway debuts by “The Bear” TV stars Ayo Edebiri, Jon Bernthal, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach went unrecognized.
Bobby Cannavale, Neil Patrick Harris, and James Corden’s “Art” revival was also overlooked, as were Keanu Reeves and Alex Winters’ “Waiting for Godot” reunion, though Brandon J. Dirden received a featured role nod.
Laurie Metcalf secured a featured role nomination for “Death of a Salesman” but missed a leading nod.
Strong Contenders in the Revival and Acting Categories
The best play revival category features highly praised productions: “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Oedipus” (a modern political retelling), “Becky Shaw,” and Noël Coward’s “Fallen Angels.”
Daniel Radcliffe earned a nomination for his one-person performance in “Every Brilliant Thing,” while Rose Byrne scored a best actress nod for “Fallen Angels,” becoming only the 22nd actor ever to be nominated for both an Oscar and a Tony in the same year. Other acting nominees include Lesley Manville (“Oedipus”), Susannah Flood (“Liberation”), and Carrie Coon (“Bug”).
John Lithgow, a two-time Tony winner, vies for a third against Nathan Lane, Radcliffe, Mark Strong, and Will Harrison.
In musicals, best actor nominees include Joshua Henry and Brandon Uranowitz (“Ragtime”), Sam Tutty (“Two Strangers”), Nicholas Christopher (“Chess”), and Luke Evans (“The Rocky Horror Show”). Leading actress contenders are Caissie Levy (“Ragtime”), Marla Mindelle (“Titanique”), Christiani Pitts (“Two Strangers”), Sara Chase (“Schmigadoon!”), and Stephanie Hsu (“The Rocky Horror Show”).
A Noteworthy Return
Producer Scott Rudin made a notable comeback with nominations for “Death of a Salesman” and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” after stepping back in 2021 amid controversy.
The 2026 Tony Awards ceremony will take place June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by pop star Pink. The event will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Last year’s ceremony, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, attracted nearly 4.9 million viewers, marking the highest viewership in six years.