Story perspectives

Pink Hosts Tonys; Lithgow Oldest Winner, Qween Jean, Schmigadoon! Triumph

6/8/2026

Summary

John Lithgow Wins

The 79th Tony Awards took place on June 7, 2026 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by singer-songwriter Pink.
Actor John Lithgow, 80, became the oldest Tony winner with Best Actor in a Play for Giant.
Costume designer Qween Jean became the first openly transgender woman to win a Tony for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
Musical Schmigadoon! won Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, both by songwriter Cinco Paul.

Summary

Tony Awards Recap

The Tony Awards ceremony aired on CBS from 8 to 11 p.m. ET and streamed on Paramount+.
“Tony Awards: Act One” streamed on Pluto TV and was hosted by Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess.
Lifetime Achievement honors went to André Bishop, Jules Fisher and James Lapine.
Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! each received 12 nominations, while Ragtime got 11.
Analysts warned Tony wins can be make-or-break for a show’s box-office.

Summary

Rachel Zegler Performs

Actress Rachel Zegler performed an A Chorus Line number, previewing her 2027 Evita debut.
Actor Leslie Odom Jr. led In Memoriam with “Without You” from Rent.
The audience featured Rose Byrne, Danny Burstein, André De Shields, Lea Michele, Queen Latifah and Billy Crystal.
Titaníque and Two Strangers were cited as Best Musical contenders, showing non-NYC pipeline to Broadway.
“Schmigadoon!” and “The Lost Boys” each earned twelve nominations, reflecting screen-to-stage dominance.

Summary

June Squibb Milestone

June Squibb, 96, became the oldest Tony-nominated actor on June 7 2026 and could become the oldest winner.
Nathan Lane is vying for a fourth Tony for “Death of a Salesman,” which would tie him with Boyd Gaines and Frank Langella for most male wins.
Bill Rauch, first-time nominee for co-directing “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” praised the season’s artistic variety after three years as a nominator.

History

Historical Context

The Tony Awards began on April 6, 1947 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, honoring Antoinette “Tony” Perry with 11 original categories presented by the American Theatre Wing. Over decades the ceremony grew into a national broadcast that shapes Broadway box-office, and in 2026 John Lithgow, at 80, became the oldest winner while Qween Jean earned the first transgender win.

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John Lithgow Wins

The 79th Tony Awards took place on June 7, 2026 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by singer-songwriter Pink.
Actor John Lithgow, 80, became the oldest Tony winner with Best Actor in a Play for Giant.
Costume designer Qween Jean became the first openly transgender woman to win a Tony for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
Musical Schmigadoon! won Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, both by songwriter Cinco Paul.

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