Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 5
Schmigadoon! and Liberation Lead 2026 Tony Picks Ahead of June 7 Ceremony
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 5

Schmigadoon! and Liberation Lead 2026 Tony Picks Ahead of June 7 Ceremony

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 5

Summary

  • About 175 of roughly 850 Tony voters told the author they expect “Schmigadoon!” to win best new musical and “Liberation” to take best play at Sunday’s awards.
  • “Schmigadoon!” appears favored because its musical-about-musicals premise fits a genre Broadway insiders often embrace, though “The Lost Boys” is seen as the likeliest late upset.
  • Just 6 new musicals opened on Broadway this season, 2 closed quickly, and none of the remaining contenders has become a major commercial hit.
  • That weak field raises the stakes for the best musical prize, which has historically delivered a meaningful box-office boost to the winner.
  • The Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast on CBS starting at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Insights

With conflicting predictions, will TV hit 'Schmigadoon!' or a dark horse steal Broadway's biggest award?
Can the Pulitzer-winning play 'Liberation' finally break a 37-year Tony Awards drought for American women?
Does winning Best Musical actually guarantee success, or is the award's power just a myth?