Joshua Henry won the 2026 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the 79th Annual Tony Awards on June 7, cementing his breakthrough moment on Broadway with a role that has earned him widespread acclaim.
Quick Facts
- Henry won for his performance as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Lincoln Center revival of Ragtime
- This marks his first Tony win after four previous nominations
- Ragtime won Best Revival of a Musical and received 11 total Tony nominations
- The ceremony took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City
Henry’s victory marks his first Tony win following prior nominations for The Scottsboro Boys, Violet, and the 2018 revival of Carousel. In his acceptance speech, he thanked Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, saying they showed “that we can shine in the fullness of who we are.”
“It is an honor to play this role, Coalhouse Walker, Jr., a Black musician whose art led him to his love and to his dream,” Henry said. “Even in the face of pain and tragedy, he found a way to be heard.”
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The Lincoln Center Theater production of Ragtime, based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, emerged as one of the night’s big winners. Beyond Henry’s performance, the revival also won for Best Revival of a Musical and took home additional awards for choreography, sound design, and costume design, among others.
Henry’s castmate Caissie Levy also won a Tony at the same ceremony, recognized for her performance as Mother in the revival.
Sources
- Playbill — Joshua Henry’s Tony win, his acceptance speech, his prior nominations, and Ragtime production details
- Broadway.com — Ragtime’s 11 Tony nominations and multiple wins at the 2026 ceremony
- The New York Times — Confirmation of Joshua Henry’s Tony win and Ragtime’s Best Revival of a Musical win
