The 79th Tony Awards celebrated the best of Broadway with major victories for new productions and acclaimed revivals, as playwright Bess Wohl's Liberation and musical comedy Schmigadoon! emerged among the biggest winners of the evening. Hosted by Pink, the ceremony took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and highlighted a record-breaking season for Broadway.
‘Liberation’ wins Best Play
One of the night's most significant honours went to Liberation, which won the Tony Award for Best Play. Written by Bess Wohl, the drama explores the legacy of the women's liberation movement through the stories of women in 1970s Ohio.
Also Read | Peddi nears ₹200 crore worldwide, overtakes Game Changer in just three days
The play had already won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama earlier this year, making its Tony triumph even more notable. Wohl also became only the fourth female playwright in history to win the Best Play category.
‘Schmigadoon!’ takes home Best Musical
The award for Best Musical went to Schmigadoon!, a stage adaptation of the Apple TV+ comedy series of the same name. The musical, which affectionately parodies classic Broadway productions, also earned awards for its score and book.
Producer Lorne Michaels described the show as a celebration of singing, dancing and classic theatrical storytelling after accepting the award.
Revivals shine at Broadway's biggest night
Revivals enjoyed a particularly successful evening at the Tonys.
Death of a Salesman won Best Revival of a Play and went on to collect six awards, making it one of the most decorated productions of the night. Meanwhile, Ragtime secured Best Revival of a Musical and also delivered acting victories for its leading performers.
Broadway revivals, Liberation and a Canadian win big at the Tony Awards https://t.co/QYl54WWYhv pic.twitter.com/Oi1jlswLc1
— Globe Culture (@GlobeArts) June 8, 2026
Historic wins for theatre veterans
Veteran actor John Lithgow won Best Leading Actor in a Play for Giant, becoming the oldest actor to receive the honour at age 80.
Also Read | Football meets music: Nora Fatehi joins FIFA World Cup 2026 official album
Meanwhile, Lesley Manville won Best Leading Actress in a Play for Oedipus, marking a memorable Broadway debut. In the musical categories, Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy won top acting honours for their performances in Ragtime.
A celebration of Broadway's resurgence
The 2026 ceremony highlighted the strength of Broadway's current season, which saw record-breaking ticket sales and a mix of acclaimed new productions and successful revivals. The evening also featured anniversary tributes to several iconic musicals and performances from this year's nominated shows.
As Broadway continues to attract audiences from around the world, this year's Tony Awards showcased both the enduring appeal of classic theatre and the creativity of a new generation of storytellers.
