The 2025-26 Broadway season will take its final bow on June 7 when the 2026 Tony Awards are handed out to the 30 productions in contention. And while certain folks can start warming up their acceptance arias now — looking at you Joshua Henry — other categories are going to come down to the wire.
That’s why Gold Derby’s theater experts are here to help you make your final picks in some of the closest races. For example, will Schmigadoon! hold off The Lost Boys to win Best Musical? The former production has plenty of precursor wins, but Tony voters could easily fall under the spell of those singing vampires. And which beloved Broadway veteran is going to take home the Best Actor in a Play statuette: Death of a Salesman‘s Nathan Lane or Giant‘s John Lithgow? Lithgow has the Olivier Award in his corner, but Lane is taking on a role that’s frequently describes as the King Lear of American theater — and he delivers a royally memorable performance.
And then there’s the big Ragtime vs. Cats: The Jellicle Ball brawl that’s dominating the Musical Revival categories. Both shows are much-loved, and haven’t gone head-to-head in many of the precursor races after The Jellicle Ball clawed the competition during its off-Broadway run in 2024. But Ragtime boasts some of the season’s best reviews, and its nominated actors are all front-runners in their categories. Whichever show triumphs will likely win by a whisker.
Watch the latest episode of Awards Magnet above or listen in on your podcast platform of choice. And be sure to send you thoughts, questions and favorite Stephen Sondheim tune to awardsmagnet@goldderby.com.
