Broadway's Big Night Starts with a Big List
The Tony Award nominations are in, and Canadian theatre lovers have plenty to celebrate — or at least obsess over — as the 2026 Broadway season shapes up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Leading the pack with 12 nominations each are The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon!, putting both productions squarely in the hunt for Broadway's top honours. For fans of musical theatre — and Canada has no shortage of them — this season's Tony race is shaping up to be a genuine nail-biter.
The Contenders
The Lost Boys, based on the beloved 1987 vampire film, has been generating buzz since its pre-Broadway tryouts, and those 12 nominations confirm it as a serious awards contender. Whether it can translate critical recognition into a win at the ceremony remains to be seen.
Schmigadoon!, the satirical musical that became a cult favourite as an Apple TV+ series before making the leap to the stage, also racked up 12 nominations. The show's sharp wit and loving send-up of the golden age of American musicals clearly resonated with Tony voters.
Best New Play and a Star-Studded Actress Race
On the play side, Giant, starring the legendary John Lithgow, earned a nomination for best new play. Lithgow, one of Broadway's most celebrated performers, gives the production an undeniable marquee draw.
The best actress in a musical race is shaping up to be one to watch, with Marla Mindelle earning a nomination for her performance in Titanique — the cheeky Celine Dion–flavoured jukebox musical that became a downtown sensation. Mindelle's nod is widely seen as a breakthrough moment for a show that started as a scrappy off-Broadway cult hit before its full Broadway debut.
Why Canadians Are Watching
Broadway and Canada have always had a close relationship. Toronto's theatre scene regularly serves as a launching pad for productions headed to or returning from New York, and Canadian performers, directors, and designers are woven throughout Broadway's DNA.
For Canadians who make the pilgrimage to New York each season — and there are many — or who follow Broadway closely from home, this year's Tony race offers a compelling storyline: two shows tied at the top, a best play with genuine star power, and a breakout actress performance stealing headlines.
The Tony Awards ceremony is set for later this spring. Until then, the nominations alone give fans plenty to debate.
Source: CBC Arts
