In a recent announcement, the stage productions “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” garnered a remarkable 12 Tony Award nominations each. Among the nominees, 96-year-old June Squibb achieved a significant milestone as the oldest Tony-nominated actor, while Danny Burstein made history as the most-nominated male actor in Tony Awards history.
“The Lost Boys,” a modern adaptation of the 1987 cult classic teen vampire film, and “Schmigadoon!” which humorously parodies Broadway musicals, led the nominations. Following closely were the revival of “Ragtime,” a grand musical depicting early 20th-century America, with 11 nominations, and “Death of a Salesman,” Arthur Miller’s renowned play exploring the American Dream’s unraveling, starring Nathan Lane, which received nine nods.
A total of 24 productions received nominations across the 26 Tony categories. Notable mentions include “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” reimagining the iconic feline musical as a tribute to queer ballroom culture, and a revival of “Chess,” a gripping tale of love and rivalry between two chess grandmasters and a woman caught between them.
The coveted title of best new musical will be contested by “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titanique,” a comedic musical reimagining the blockbuster movie “Titanic,” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” a romantic comedy set in New York City.
Among the best new play nominees are “Giant,” led by John Lithgow, delving into accusations of antisemitism against author Roald Dahl; “Liberation,” a drama set in 1970s Ohio that recently won the Pulitzer Prize for drama; “The Balusters,” a witty comedy revolving around a neighborhood association in disarray, and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” a compelling narrative about a writer returning to his hometown to settle his father’s estate.
June Squibb, nominated for her role in “Marjorie Prime,” secured her place as the oldest Tony-nominated actor, surpassing the record previously held by Lois Smith. On the other hand, Danny Burstein earned his ninth Tony nomination, making him the most-nominated male actor in Tony Awards history, surpassing Jason Robards.
In the best play revival category, notable works include “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 a play for a chance at his third Tony award.
Actress Rose Byrne, known for her work in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” and “Fallen Angels,” joins a select group of actors nominated for both an Oscar and a Tony in the same year. The nominations also include the likes of Kelli O’Hara, Lesley Manville, Susannah Flood, and Carrie Coon for their outstanding performances.
The Tony Awards ceremony is scheduled for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, with Pink set to host the event. Viewers can catch the live broadcast on CBS and stream it on Paramount+. Last year’s show, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, attracted a significant audience of 4.85 million viewers on CBS, marking the largest broadcast viewership in six years.
