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The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! just dominated the 2026 Tony nominations with historic strength. Each musical nabbed 12 nominations, tying for the most impressive showing in years. The tie creates an unusual and unpredictable best musical race heading into the June 7 ceremony.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Nominations Announced: May 5, 2026, in New York by Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss
- Leading Shows: The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! both earned 12 nods, followed by Ragtime with 11
- Ceremony Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by pop superstar P!nk
- Best Musical Race: Five nominees compete, including Titaníque and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Two Powerhouses Emerge From a Crowded Season
The Lost Boys, based on the classic 1987 vampire film, burst onto Broadway with unprecedented momentum this season. Now playing at the Palace Theatre, the musical opened on April 26, 2026, and immediately captured the attention of Tony voters. Michael Arden, the show’s director, earned dual nominations for directing and lighting design, a rare cross-craft recognition.
Schmigadoon!, the musical adaptation of the popular Apple TV series, comes from Cinco Paul with equal force. This lavishly produced show premiered on Broadway on April 20, 2026 after a Kennedy Center run. Both properties tap into nostalgia with their production values and storytelling, creating a compelling parallel between traditional musicals and modern streaming culture.
Tony nominations 2026: Lost Boys leads with 12 nods, ties for Best Musical
Lena Dunham returns to Met Gala in New York after 7 years in custom red Valentino
Historic Records and Surprising Nominations
June Squibb became the oldest acting nominee in Tony history at 96 years old for her featured role in Marjorie Prime. This marks her first-ever Tony nomination despite her 1959 Broadway debut as Electra in the original Gypsy. Danny Burstein, her co-star in the same production, set yet another record as the most-nominated male performer with nine career nominations, surpassing Jason Robards’ 47-year-old record.
Rose Byrne, coming off an Oscar nomination for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, earned her first Tony nomination for Fallen Angels. She becomes the 17th woman in history to score both Tony and Oscar acting nominations in the same calendar year, joining an exclusive club that includes Adam Driver from 2019.
The Best Musical Contenders and Key Players
| Musical Title | Total Nominations | Best Musical Status |
| The Lost Boys | 12 | Nominee |
| Schmigadoon! | 12 | Nominee |
| Ragtime | 11 | Revival Nominee |
| Titaníque | Multiple | Nominee |
| Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) | Multiple | Nominee |
Lea Michele faced a major snub, missing out on a nomination for her leading role in Chess after widespread projection she would make the cut. Ragtime, the acclaimed revival with 11 nominations, dominates the revival categories with Linda Cho earning dual costume design nominations for both Ragtime and Schmigadoon!. Death of a Salesman leads the play category with nine nominations, featuring Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, and Christopher Abbott.
“The nominations were announced in New York by the actors Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss, beginning a monthlong award period. The 857 Tony voters shaped this season’s recognition.”
— Variety, Entertainment News
What Makes This Season Unusual and Unpredictable
The 12-12-11 split among the top three shows marks a historically unusual pattern in modern Tony history. Recent dominant seasons featured clear frontrunners, such as Hamilton with 16 nominations or A Strange Loop with 11. This year’s balanced nominations across competing productions creates genuine uncertainty heading into June 7. Pink’s hosting duties will carry extra intrigue as the Grammy-winning artist brings her dynamic energy to Radio City Music Hall, where the ceremony airs live on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
The best musical choice will likely depend on which show resonates most with the 857 Tony voters and judges who assessed performances through April 26, 2026. Neither The Lost Boys nor Schmigadoon! has secured the overwhelming advantage that typically predicts victory. Both shows represent different eras of musical theater appreciation, offering voters a genuine dilemma about which captures the spirit of Broadway excellence.
Will The Lost Boys or Schmigadoon! Claim Best Musical Glory?
The outcome depends on multiple factors beyond raw nomination counts. The Lost Boys benefits from being a brand-new work based on beloved film source material, while Schmigadoon! transitions successfully from Apple TV to Broadway stages. Both shows feature standout performances and creative achievements across technical categories. The tie for nominations signals the voting body values both productions equally.
Historical perspective suggests only four musicals have swept the major categories: South Pacific (1950), Sweeney Todd (1979), Hairspray (2003), and The Band’s Visit (2018). Whether The Lost Boys or Schmigadoon! achieves similar dominance at the actual ceremony on June 7 remains Broadway’s biggest open question.
Sources
- Variety – Comprehensive coverage of 2026 Tony Awards nominations and nominees
- The New York Times – Breaking news and complete list of nominees for the 79th Tony Awards
- Playbill – Theater industry news and Tony Awards analysis for 2026 season
