Broadway's Finest: A Recap of the 79th Tony Awards and Record-Breaking Season
The Broadway season of 2025-2026 concluded with the 79th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, marking a record-breaking season with $1.9 billion in revenue. The Tony Awards recognized ten shows in various categories, including Best Musical, which was awarded to Schmigadoon! over The Lost Boys. Ragtime won Best Revival of a Musical, and other awards were distributed among the top shows.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball received awards for Best Direction, Choreography, and Costume Design, with Qween Jean becoming the first openly trans person to win a Tony. Ragtime's Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy won Best Actor and Actress, respectively, while The Lost Boys claimed awards for Best Featured Actor and Actress. Schmigadoon! took home awards for Best Book, Original Score, and Orchestrations, making Apple TV the fastest streamer to achieve an EGOT.
Liberation won the Best Play Tony over Giant, with Bess Wohl becoming the first female American playwright in 38 years to win the award. Death of a Salesman received multiple awards, including Best Revival, Direction, and Lighting Design. Nathan Lane and Christopher Abbott were nominated but did not win, with Alden Ehrenreich winning for Becky Shaw.
Other shows like Oedipus and Fallen Angels also received recognition for Best Actress and Costume Design, respectively. Several Tony-nominated shows went home without any awards, while performers like Bean, Henry, and Lithgow, who appeared on the THR Tonys Roundtable, were among the winners at the 79th Tony Awards. The season showcased a diverse range of productions and talent, highlighting the best of Broadway in 2025-2026.