Some Thoughts on the 2026 Tony Awards
And so another Broadway season is in the books, capped off by The 79th Tony Awards. And like every year, there were some surprises - all good ones for a change, performances - all noteworthy for a change, and plenty to dish about.
Like most of you reading this, I was hyper-focused on the whole thing. Enjoying each moment while picking it apart and Monday morning quarterbacking each winner I didn't guess correctly... Anyway, here are my ramblings written as they happened, though organized to make for better reading.
- Laura and Tituss looked fabulous. AI joke out of the way. (Thank God.)
- Book: Cinco gets the one award Schmigadoon! really deserves.
- Costume Design/Musical: Qween! Looks fabulous. Is fabulous. (Love the fans with fans!)
- Orchestrations: The one category where all were worthy. That said, Schmigadoon! was the least challenging choice.
- Carrie Coon is my hall pass, too, Laura. Pluto TV better get their technical act together...
- Sound Design/Play: What a humble speech by Mikaal. Seems like the kind of guy I would love to work with.
- Sound Design/Musical: Did the voters even listen to The Lost Boys? Or Cats: The Jellicle Ball? Good on Kai for making a fun joke about running against himself.
- Teachers! Am I right? This award belongs on the main telecast. Period.
- Score: I knew it would win, but it isn't the best by a mile. More new musicals? Yes. The irony.
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- Mary Mitchell Campbell is indeed a worthy icon. Thank you!
- Jules Fisher really is a lighting magician. An amazing career across the history of Broadway.
- Lighting Design/Musical: One of the best lighting designs in YEARS, and totally deserving. Kudos, to Michael Arden for getting all of the other nominees into his speech so they get recognized in case he doesn't get the chance later.
- James Lapine is amazing on every level, no matter his role in a production.
- Scenic Design/Musical: Totally deserving, Dane Laffery has done amazing work here, but let's look at his career. That is some massive talent.
- Choreography: The category is Most Amazing Moves. These people took iconic dance moves and moved Cats into a whole new era. Bravo!
I am very thankful Pluto took up the mantle, but the technical quality of this was embarrassing.
So far, Mike is 5 for 8 in predictions, while I am 4 for 8.
The Tony Awards (National Telecast):
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The best opening number I can remember. The joy reminds me of the feeling I had when I saw The Jellicle Ball. Bravo to all 170 people involved and for leaving egos at the door (Go, Lea!). I sat here alone and applauded like a maniac.
Lead Actor in a Play: Lithgow spun the Tony! I admire him so much. Congrats.
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Schmigadoon! - This really captures the show perfectly, and clearly the staging was fit onto the huge stage with care and an understanding of the needs of filming for television. The writing for this was sharp, too. If I hadn't already seen it, this would make me want to buy tickets. And that is really the point, right? Well done!
Featured Actress in a Play: Laurie looks FABULOUS. Generous to a fault. How to make a speech not about yourself.
Ragtime - How awesome that the nation got the thrill of that same entrance! One of musical theater's greatest opening numbers, superbly rendered for television. An obvious choice, but a great one, nonetheless. Another one that should sell whatever tickets are left.
TITANP¡NQUE
Best Direction of a Musical: I am waving a fan at the screen! Love this for them and the show. The most joyous experience I have had in the theater in many years, and it is largely due to their amazing vision. The category is: fuck yeah!
Best Direction of a Play: There is nothing Joe Mantello can't do. Talk about multi-talented. And gracious.
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Titanique - "What do you say?/My Heart Will Go On" plus that great intro, a great encapsulation. They should have had longer screen time. I hope this gets them a boost at the box office. They deserve it.
Love how they are bringing back "legit" hosts to "support" Pink. Not that she needs it. I think she's wonderful.
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Featured Actress in a Musical: I am so thrilled for Shoshana Bean! And LJ weeping into a hug... I'm crying. I admit it.
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Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Amazing that it translated that well to television! The camera work was spectacular. Kudos to Paul Rudd for keeping it together when the Rum Tum Tugger came a-sniffing. I will say it again: the feeling of joy that gives me is off the charts. Buy those tickets!!!
Best Play: I'm kicking myself for missing Liberation. Bess Wohl is a phenomenal human being.
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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) - Inevitable as it was "New York" was a great way to start this number, into "American Express." And their chemistry is off the charts. Great how just the two of them, some great camera work and perfect use of their set pieces combined to still feel like a big production number. Fingers crossed they get some ticket sales from this. Well done!
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Featured Actor in a Musical: Yes!!! A wonderful surprise! He is so terrific in the role, and such a great human. I was a big fan, now an even bigger one.
Chicago - Alex Newell is sublime as Mama. Pink as Velma? Sign me up! What a thrilling tribute.
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Lead Actress in a Play: I think Lesley Manville is a person I want to know. That's all I can say.
The Rocky Horror Show - Luke Evans was and is spectacular. This was so much better that what we saw at Studio 54. Lesson learned: early previews aren't always a good choice even if they are cheaper. And some more amazing camera work.
Best Revival of a Musical: No matter who won, I knew I'd be happy for the winner. But I also knew I'd be disappointed for the loser. And here we are.
In Memorium: Ah. "Without You" makes me really get into my feelings. Tears are being shed. And Leslie Odom, Jr. sang it beautifully. A lovely tribute befitting Broadway.
Featured Actor in a Play: The only play performance I saw this year, so maybe I'm biased. But he was really terrific and I'm glad he won. And I'm even more glad that he doesn't seem to be anything like his character.
The Lost Boys - Like the intro says, you have to see it to believe it. I appreciate that they gave space to both the family drama ("No More Monsters") and the sinister hard-rocking danger of the dark side of the piece ("I Have to Have You").
Best Revival of a Play: It seems inevitable that Salesman that should win. It is so rich that no matter how it is done, it offers new revelations. Can't wait to see it.
The Book of Mormon - A high energy medley, wonderfully performed, still leaves me cold on the show. I've never been a fan. And just as I felt 15 years ago when I saw it, I'm grateful that I don't have (and never did) maggots on my scrotum.
A Chorus Line - "What I Did For Love" is a great song, and Rachel sang it beautifully. But it should have been "One."
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Lead Actress in a Musical: Not a surprise, but no less deserved. I have never seen her in anything where she was less than superlative. She really earned this one.
Lead Actor in a Musical: Not a surprise, but no less deserved. I have never seen him in anything where he was less than superlative. He really earned this one.
I can say this with sincerity, both Caissie and Joshua are two of my all time favorite performers, who effortlessly elevate every single thing they do. It is a real privilege to have seen them both several times. Can't wait to see them both again.
Best Musical: Not really surprised, I guess, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. Of all the nominees, it is the one show I saw, I was glad I saw it, and enjoyed it. But I haven't really given it much thought since. The others are on my mind regularly. Oh, well. the boys still did very well. Here's to a long run for all the nominees!
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The best Tonys in a very long time. By a wide margin.
Biggest takeaway: Pink needs to be on Broadway.
In the end, Mike got an impressive 12 out of 15 predictions correct. I was much less impressive with 8 out of 15. Until next year!
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