The 79th Tony Awards ceremony began Sunday evening, marking the culmination of a record Broadway season with no dominant production heading into theater's biggest night. "The Lost Boys," a punk-rock adaptation of the 1987 cult horror film featuring high-flying vampires, and "Schmigadoon!," a comedic tribute to Golden Age musicals, each entered the ceremony with 12 nominations, the most of any productions this year.
The awards ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. ET with stars arriving on the red carpet throughout the evening. The competitive field reflects a diverse Broadway season that saw productions ranging from updated classics to original works compete for recognition across multiple categories.
Broadway's 2025-2026 season set records for attendance and box office revenue, contributing to the heightened anticipation surrounding this year's awards. The ceremony will recognize excellence across categories including best musical, best play, acting performances, and technical achievements. The variety of nominated works spans multiple genres and theatrical styles, from the supernatural storytelling of "The Lost Boys" to the nostalgic musical comedy of "Schmigadoon!"
Other notable contenders include productions exploring themes from American literature to contemporary social movements, though none have emerged as the presumptive winner heading into the ceremony. The awards will be presented throughout the evening, with winners announced across all major categories.
The ceremony represents the theater industry's annual celebration of artistic achievement and commercial success on Broadway. With no single production dominating the nominations or pre-ceremony predictions, the evening promises a competitive field across multiple categories. The results will be updated throughout the night as winners are announced in each category.