2026 Tonys analysis: dissecting the record-breaking and noteworthy nods – Broadway News

June Squibb makes history, and multiple categories consist of nominees all making their debuts.
When the nominations for the 79th annual Tony Awards were announced on May 5, the news made history. Actor June Squibb, nominated for her turn in the title role of Broadway’s “Marjorie Prime,” became the oldest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony. Born on Nov. 6, 1929, Squibb turned 96 weeks before “Marjorie Prime” officially opened on Dec. 8, 2025. Squibb is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play.
On the day of her nomination, the veteran performer and first-time nominee issued a statement. “I’m thrilled with what this nomination will do for my career,” Squibb said. “Over the moon for Danny as well! I share this nomination with everyone who worked so hard to bring ‘Marjorie Prime’ back to life.”
The “Danny” to whom Squibb referred is her “Marjorie Prime” co-star, Danny Burstein, who beat a record of his own. Burstein earned his ninth nod, for his performance as Jon in the Second Stage revival. While the most-nominated performer of all time is Audra McDonald, with 11 nominations, Burstein had been tied with Jason Robards for most-nominated male performer — each with eight recognitions. Burstein has now pulled ahead among his gender. 
Aside from these records, the 2026 Tony nominations illustrate a few remarkable patterns. Here are some of our prominent observations.
The 2026 Tony nominations were a boon for artists making their Broadway debuts — especially writers. Every single nominee in the Best Book of a Musical category is making their Main Stem writing debut. The category includes the books of four shows: “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titaníque” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).”“The Lost Boys”’ David Hornsby and Chris Hoch are a first-time book-writing team, with Hornsby earning his first Broadway credit ever and Hoch garnering his first writing one after nine performing credits. Writer Cinco Paul made his Broadway debut with “Schmigadoon!” Authors Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli have been on Broadway stages before, but both make their writing debuts — alongside co-book writer Tye Blue — with “Titaníque.” Finally, “Two Strangers” creators Jim Barne and Kit Buchan made their Broadway debuts with the two-hander.
Similarly, all nominees for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre are first-time Broadway composers and composer-lyricists. Composer Caroline Shaw, nominated for “Death of a Salesman,” made her Main Stem debut with the Arthur Miller revival. Musician Steve Bargonetti has appeared in the orchestra of many Broadway shows, but composed for the first time with the current revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” The band the Rescues — consisting of Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez and Gabriel Mann — was nominated for their debut score of “The Lost Boys.” In addition to his book-writing debut, Paul also wrote and was nominated for his first Broadway score for “Schmigadoon!” The same is true of “Two Strangers” duo Barne and Buchan, who rounded out this category. 
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