NEW YORK – It’s that exciting time of year again—Tony Awards time! This year, audiences can expect a mix of creativity and talent with shows featuring everything from flying vampires to a musical spoof of the iconic movie “Titanic.” The variety of performances promises something for everyone, showcasing the best of Broadway.
A total of twenty-four Broadway shows are competing for recognition in 26 categories, making the stakes incredibly high. Winning a Tony can significantly impact a show’s success, helping to keep the theater doors open for another season.
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This year’s host is none other than Grammy Award-winner Pink, who is set to bring her unique flair to the show. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+ for viewers in the U.S. from 8-11 p.m. Eastern/5-8 p.m. Pacific on Sunday.
Pink’s family will be there to cheer her on, including her mother, who first introduced her to the magic of theater in Philadelphia. Pink’s 15-year-old daughter, Willow, who dreams of being a theater actor, even encouraged her to take on the hosting role.
“The biggest reason she wanted me to say ‘yes’ was so that she could have a seat at the show because she loves the show so much,” Pink shared, adding a personal touch to the event.
Expect plenty of exciting performances throughout the evening! The seven nominees for Best New Musical and Best Musical Revival will showcase their talent, including “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titanique,” “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” “Ragtime,” and “The Rocky Horror Show.”
Also on the lineup are original cast members from “The Book of Mormon,” celebrating their show’s 15th anniversary, and Leslie Odom, Jr. will perform “Without You” from “Rent” in the In Memoriam section, honoring the show’s 30th anniversary.
In addition, “Chicago” will mark its 30th anniversary with performances featuring Pink, Queen Latifah, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and more. “A Chorus Line,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, will also receive a special tribute led by Rachel Zegler.
When it comes to the competition for Best New Musical, audiences will see a diverse range of shows, from the romantic comedy “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” to the vampire-themed “The Lost Boys,” the humorous “Schmigadoon!,” and the campy “Titanique.”
The battle for Best Play is equally riveting. “Giant” tackles serious themes surrounding antisemitism in children’s literature, while “Liberation” explores a women’s group’s fight for equality and justice in the 1970s.
In the revival categories, Nathan Lane’s “Death of a Salesman” faces off against a modern “Oedipus” and the heartfelt “Every Brilliant Thing.” Meanwhile, the Best Musical Revival category features a new version of “Cats,” the ambitious “Ragtime,” and a lively rendition of “The Rocky Horror Show.”
Bill Rauch, a co-director of the reimagined “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” remarked on the impressive variety of work on Broadway, noting the artistic risks many productions are taking this year.
In a historic moment, June Squibb, at 96, could become the oldest Tony winner ever, surpassing Lois Smith, who won at age 90 in 2021. Nathan Lane is also in the running for his fourth Tony, which would tie him with legends Boyd Gaines and Frank Langella for the most-awarded male performer in Tony history.
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For more coverage of the 2026 Tony Awards, visit AP News – Tony Awards.
