Broadway's Elite Celebrate at 2026 Tony Awards Nominees Gala

Broadway's most celebrated performers came together this week to mark their recognition in the 2026 Tony Awards race. The Meet The Nominees Press Event took place Thursday, May 14, at Sofitel in New York City, drawing together nominees across multiple categories.

Among those making appearances were Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara from Fallen Angels, Luke Evans and Stephanie Hsu representing Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, and Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis from Ragtime.

The evening showcased the year's most decorated productions. Schmigadoon! and The Lost Boys each secured 12 nominations, making them the frontrunners heading into the ceremony.

The acting categories featured a diverse slate of talent across Broadway's leading and featured roles. In the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category, nominees included Nicholas Christopher (Chess), Luke Evans (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show), Joshua Henry (Ragtime), Sam Tutty (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)), and Brandon Uranowitz (Ragtime).

The leading actress in a musical race included Sara Chase (Schmigadoon!), Stephanie Hsu (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show), Caissie Levy (Ragtime), Marla Mindelle (Titaníque), and Christiani Pitts (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)).

For Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, the field featured Will Harrison (Punch), Nathan Lane (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman), John Lithgow (Giant), Daniel Radcliffe (Every Brilliant Thing), and Mark Strong (Oedipus).

The leading actress in a play category included Rose Byrne (Fallen Angels), Carrie Coon (Bug), Susannah Flood (Liberation), Lesley Manville (Oedipus), and Kelli O'Hara (Fallen Angels).

Additional nominees in featured roles demonstrated the depth of Broadway's talent pool. Featured actress in a play nominees included Betsy Aidem (Liberation), Marylouise Burke (The Balusters), Aya Cash (Giant), Laurie Metcalf (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman), and June Squibb (Marjorie Prime).

The featured actor in a play category highlighted Christopher Abbott (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman), Danny Burstein (Marjorie Prime), Brandon J. Dirden (Waiting for Godot), Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw), Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone), and Richard Thomas (The Balusters).

In the featured actress in a musical race, nominees included Shoshana Bean (The Lost Boys), Hannah Cruz (Chess), Rachel Dratch (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show), Ana Gasteyer (Schmigadoon!), and Nichelle Lewis (Ragtime).

The featured actor in a musical category rounded out the evening's slate with Ali Louis Bourzgui (The Lost Boys), André De Shields (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), Bryce Pinkham (Chess), Ben Levi Ross (Ragtime), and Layton Williams (Titaníque).

Patrick Wilson attended the celebration as a producer of The Lost Boys, which earned the Best Musical nomination. Also present was Constantine Rousouli from Titanique, recognized for his co-writing work on the show's book.