Lorne Michaels, the executive producer and creator of “Saturday Night Live” who holds the record as the most nominated individual in Emmy Award history, is one of several Canadians up for the 2026 Tony Awards, celebrating a Broadway season that was a banner year for revivals but otherwise lacklustre for new musicals.
The Toronto native was nominated for best musical on Tuesday morning for his work as the lead producer on “Schmigadoon,” a stage adaptation of the Apple TV series that he also produced. The show, which is a spoof of various classic Broadway musicals (its title itself is a riff on Lerner and Loewe’s “Brigadoon”), follows a couple in a frosty relationship who are magically transported to a village stuck in time, and whose residents spontaneously break out in song and dance.
The production received a co-leading 12 nominations. Nominated as well in the best musical category are “The Lost Boys,” an adaptation of the 1987 vampire-themed comedy starring Kiefer Sutherland that also received 12 nominations; the original rom-com “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)”; and “Titanique,” a Céline Dion jukebox show that parodies James Cameron’s “Titanic.” The latter musical previously played in Toronto last season, where it received mixed reviews from critics.
The best musical category is typically a reliable indicator of what shows will eventually play in Toronto. Over the decade, excluding the most recent Broadway season, most of the shows nominated for that award have been presented in the city, either as a touring production or a local run.
Tuesday’s nominations cap off an unusually dismal season for new musicals. This past year, only six new musicals opened on Broadway. And of the four nominated for best musical, none has received unanimous critical praise nor emerged as a clear front-runner for the prize. The announcement also comes as new musicals on Broadway have struggled mightily since the pandemic, with only four — “MJ,” “Six,” “The Outsiders” and “& Juliet” — recouping their investment in the past five years.
Last season, however, was particularly strong for musical revivals. “Ragtime,” which follows three American families at the dawn of the 20th century, nabbed 11 nominations, including for best revival of a musical. Its stars, Canadian actors Caissie Levy and Joshua Henry, were both nominated for best lead actress and actor in a musical, respectively, and are considered to be the early front-runners.
“Ragtime” is expected to face stiff competition from “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical that places it within the context of queer ballroom culture. The production, among the most critically acclaimed shows of the season, received nine nominations. Also nominated for best revival of a musical is “The Rocky Horror Show.”
Meanwhile, four productions will face off in the best play category: David Lindsay-Abaire’s “The Balusters,” following the shenanigans at a neighbourhood homeowners association; Mark Rosenblatt’s “Giant,” about author Roald Dahl’s antisemitism; Bess Wohl’s “Liberation,” which won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday; and Samuel D. Hunter’s “Little Bear Ridge Road.”
And in the best revival of a play category, “Becky Shaw,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Fallen Angels” and “Oedipus” will go head to head in what is expected to be a tight contest.
Among the major stars up for Tonys this year are former winners Nathan Lane (“Death of a Salesman”), John Lithgow (“Giant”) and Daniel Radcliffe (“Every Brilliant Thing”), all nominated for best lead actor in a play. Rose Byrne of “Fallen Angels,” who was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year, is up for her first Tony. Her co-star, the acclaimed Broadway actor Kelli O’Hara, is also nominated for the ninth time.
The 79th Tony Awards are scheduled for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The American singer and songwriter P!nk will host the ceremony for the first time.
