The 79th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 7, 2026, at New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall, delivered a night of dazzling performances, emotional speeches, and barrier-breaking wins—plus a touch of high-flying spectacle courtesy of first-time host Pink. The ceremony, broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, celebrated the best of Broadway with an evening that was as heartfelt as it was entertaining, drawing in stars, legends, and newcomers alike.
Pink, known for her powerhouse vocals and gravity-defying stagecraft, brought her entire family to the red carpet for her debut as Tony Awards host. Clad in a sparkling black gown with a feathered train, the 46-year-old pop star was joined by her husband Carey Hart, daughter Willow (15), son Jameson (9), and mother Judith Moore, each dressed to the nines. As reported by People, Pink’s excitement was tinged with nerves: “It is the honor of an entire lifetime to host a night celebrating the literal hardest working people in showbiz,” she said ahead of the event. “Broadway has shaped my life and how I put my own shows together. It is a community that is supportive, and inclusive, and full of talent and love.”
The artist, whose real name is Alecia Moore, revealed that her family had recently relocated to New York City to support Willow’s burgeoning interest in musical theater. “We actually moved here because I am an amazing mom,” she joked on the Kelly Clarkson Show, “and also so Willow could study theater and experience more Broadway.” Pink’s hosting gig was, in fact, contingent on Willow’s approval: “When I asked my daughter, she was really excited about being able to have a ticket to go to the Tonys, so I’m hosting the Tonys and I’m really, really, excited and very nervous because that girl is a tough crowd!”
Pink’s signature style was on display from the moment the curtain rose. She kicked off the show with a Peter Pan-inspired entrance, spinning and dangling from a harness above the stage. Former host Neil Patrick Harris made a comic cameo, encouraging Pink to “just be herself.” Taking his advice, she shed the harness, donned a top hat, and led a raucous performance of “Lady Marmalade” alongside a star-studded ensemble—including Lea Michele and Megan Thee Stallion. The number ended with 170 performers flooding the stage and aisles, setting the tone for a night that would be both joyful and unpredictable.
As Associated Press reported, the awards themselves brought moments of redemption, history, and celebration. “Schmigadoon!,” a musical parodying golden-age Broadway classics, took home the Tony for Best New Musical. Adapted from an Apple TV series canceled after two seasons, the show’s win marked a triumphant comeback for creator Cinco Paul, who also nabbed Tonys for score and book. Producer Lorne Michaels, known for “Saturday Night Live,” summed up the show’s appeal: “Sometimes singing, dancing, jokes and a happy ending are all you need.” The victory also completed what some have dubbed a “studio EGOT” for Apple, which now boasts Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, and Tony wins.
The Tony for Best New Play went to Bess Wohl’s “Liberation,” a powerful memory play chronicling the journey of a women’s consciousness-raising group in 1970s Ohio. The play, which also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama this year, explores themes of misogyny, racism, and the struggle to break free from traditional gender roles. Wohl became only the fourth woman ever to win a Best Play Tony, joining a prestigious group that includes Wendy Wasserstein and Yasmina Reza. “This is the honor of a lifetime,” Wohl said in her acceptance speech, as quoted by AP. “I want to honor women everywhere who have the courage to use their voice. And to all the girls out there: May you speak your truth, and may the world be wise enough to listen.”
“Death of a Salesman,” Arthur Miller’s enduring masterpiece, secured the Best Play Revival award and led the night with six Tonys, including acting, directing, and design categories. Laurie Metcalf won her third Tony for her role as Willy Loman’s wife, while Joe Mantello took home the award for Best Director of a Play. The revival, starring Nathan Lane as Willy Loman, was lauded for its fresh perspective on the unraveling of the American Dream. Metcalf, who also starred in “Little Bear Ridge Road” this season, continued her winning streak as one of Broadway’s most celebrated performers.
Chicago’s theater community had much to cheer about, with Whitney White earning her second Tony nomination for directing “Liberation” and Carrie Coon garnering a nod for her lead role in “Bug,” written by her husband Tracy Letts. Coon’s recent acclaim for her work on HBO’s “White Lotus” added to the buzz around her performance.
The revival of “Ragtime” swept the musical revival categories, with Caissie Levy and Joshua Henry winning for their portrayals of the family matriarch and Coalhouse Walker Jr., respectively. “Even in the face of tragedy and pain, he fought to be heard,” Henry said of his character, reflecting on the musical’s enduring relevance. Levy, meanwhile, thanked “all the babysitters who let her become both a mother and a Broadway performer.”
John Lithgow’s portrayal of Roald Dahl in “Giant” earned him the Tony for Best Lead Actor in a Play, making him the oldest man ever to win a competitive acting Tony at age 80—a remarkable feat that caps a career spanning 53 years and three acting categories. “Two Tony bookends with 53 years between them,” Lithgow remarked. “In those years, I have worked with hundreds of just fantastic theater artists. I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic moments on the stage, but I have to tell you right now, this moment has got to be one of the best.”
Other highlights included Shoshana Bean’s win for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (“The Lost Boys”), where she dedicated her award to “the incredible army of women that surround and uplift me.” “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a reimagining of the classic musical through the lens of queer ballroom culture, won Best Direction of a Musical. Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, the directors, honored “the Black and brown trans women and gay men who were ballroom’s pioneers, as well as today’s icons.” Costume designer Qween Jean made history as the first openly trans Tony winner for her work on the production.
The show also featured stirring performances marking anniversaries of “Chicago,” “Rent,” “A Chorus Line,” and a reunion of the original “Book of Mormon” cast. Pink herself led a show-stopping “All That Jazz,” channeling Bob Fosse’s iconic choreography and thrilling the audience with her versatility.
The 2026 Tony Awards, from Pink’s heartfelt hosting to the night’s historic wins, proved once again that Broadway’s magic lies in its ability to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future—all while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.