The 79th Annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, honoring excellence in Broadway theater. Hosted by P!NK, the ceremony celebrated a season heavily influenced by film and television adaptations. The event was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
How the 2026 Tony Awards Unfolded
The 79th Tony Awards ceremony served as Broadway’s primary showcase for the 2025-26 season. According to USA TODAY, the night featured a special performance commemorating the 30th anniversary of the musical Chicago. The broadcast began at 8 p.m. ET, following a pre-show event titled “The Tony Awards: Act One,” which was hosted by Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess and aired on Pluto TV.
Recognized Productions and Talent
While Hollywood adaptations dominated the season’s nominations—with The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! each securing 12 nominations and Ragtime earning 11—the awards highlighted a broad range of artistic contributions. Notable winners at the 2026 ceremony included:
- John Lithgow: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Giant.
- Laurie Metcalf: Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.
- Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch: Best Direction of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
- Joe Mantello: Best Direction of a Play for Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.
- Schmigadoon!: Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
Additional technical honors went to Kai Harada for Best Sound Design of a Musical (Ragtime) and Qween Jean for Best Costume Design of a Musical (Cats: The Jellicle Ball).
Special Honors and Lifetime Achievement
The American Theatre Wing recognized several industry veterans with special awards during the gala. André Bishop, James Lapine, and Jules Fisher were each honored with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Mary-Mitchell Campbell received the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award. Furthermore, the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) was presented with a Special Tony Award, and Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were awarded to Loren Plotkin, the 1/52 Project, Kenn Lubin, and Jake Bell.
Performance and Viewing Logistics
The awards were accessible through multiple platforms. CBS served as the primary broadcaster for the three-hour ceremony, while Paramount+ Premium subscribers were able to stream the event live. Essential-tier subscribers gained access to the broadcast on the following day. The event remains a centerpiece of the theatrical calendar, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1947.