“The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” emerged as the top contenders with 12 Tony Award nominations each, as 96-year-old June Squibb and Danny Burstein made history with their nominations. The former is an adaptation of a 1987 teen vampire movie, while the latter is a spoof of Broadway musicals from an Apple TV series. Following closely were “Ragtime,” a revival of a big musical celebrating early 20th-century America with 11 nominations, and “Death of a Salesman,” Arthur Miller’s renowned play starring Nathan Lane, which received nine nods.
In total, 24 shows received nominations across 26 Tony categories, including unique productions like “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a reimagination of the classic feline musical celebrating queer ballroom culture, and a revival of “Chess,” a Cold War love triangle tale involving chess grand masters and a woman torn between them.
Competing for the title of Best New Musical are “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titanique,” a campy musical comedy reimagining the 1997 hit movie “Titanic,” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York,” a romantic comedy set in New York City.
For the Best New Play category, nominees include “Giant,” led by John Lithgow, exploring accusations of antisemitism against author Roald Dahl; “Liberation,” a drama about a women’s group in 1970s Ohio; “The Balusters,” a comedy about a neighborhood association in chaos over a stop sign; and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” depicting a struggling writer’s return to his rural hometown.
June Squibb, nominated for “Marjorie Prime,” now holds the record for the oldest Tony-nominated actor, surpassing Lois Smith. Danny Burstein earned his ninth nomination, becoming the most-nominated male actor in Tony history. Notable mentions also include Kelli O’Hara, receiving her ninth career nod for the revival of “Fallen Angels.”
Daniel Radcliffe secured a nomination for “Every Brilliant Thing,” a solo performance exploring depression remedies.
In the Best Play Revival category are well-received works like “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Oedipus,” “Becky Shaw,” and “Fallen Angels.” John Lithgow, a two-time Tony winner, competes against other leading actors in the play category.
Actress Rose Byrne, nominated for her work in the film “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” and the play “Fallen Angels,” becomes the 22nd actor in history to be Oscar- and Tony-nominated in the same year. The Tony Awards ceremony is set for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Pink and broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. Last year’s show garnered a significant audience, with 4.85 million viewers tuning in to CBS, the highest in six years.
