2026 Tony Awards Live Blog: Red Carpet, Photos, Videos, Speeches & Winners

Cinco Paul, who picked up two Tony Awards (for Book and Score) tonight for Schmigadoon! shared backstage the musical was originally written following the Apple TV show getting cancelled before season 3 went into production.

The show was written not for Broadway originally - but so high schools could one day perform it. "To have that be my initial impetus and now be standing in front of you with two of these is crazy," said Paul.

Watch his full statement backstage below.

Joshua Henry reflected on his Tony Award win for Ragtime backstage speaking to the press. He noted that he was supposed to go to Broadway with Hamilton, but ultimately didn't. 

"I've auditioned for so many things that broke my heart, and I've been involved with so many different projects that just didn't pan out " he said. "There's a place for me - and that's what I want my boys to know, what I want everyone to know. What is for you cannot pass you by."

See the full cllip here.

Ragtime writers Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and director Lear deBessonet were in the press room following the production's Best Revival of a Musical Win when they learned Caissie Levy won Leading Actress in a Musical. 

See their reaction here!

With 10 minutes to go in the scheduled broadcast time we still have three categories to for which winners have not been announced.

Including speeches, it's unlikely the broadcast will end on time.

Queen Latifah took the stage at the 79th Annual Tony Awards to introduce a tribute to Chicago, the long-running Kander and Ebb musical. The introduction came with a personal connection. Latifah played Matron "Mama" Morton in the 2002 film adaptation, a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination.

This time the role went to Alex Newell, who led the Mama Morton material in a tribute stacked with familiar faces. Whitney Leavitt joined the performance, and host Pink stepped in as Velma Kelly.

The number also brought out Dylan Mulvaney, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julianne Hough, and Adrienne Warren, making the segment one of the night's most buzzed about.

After John Lithgow made it to the press room following his win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his performance in Giant, he arrived with his Tony Award in tow. However, he said that the trophy was a bit heavy.

"Does somebody want to hold this?" he asked the room full of journalists. "It's getting very, very heavy. You know, they've gotten heavier over the years, or I've gotten older, I'm not sure which!"

Cinco Paul, who wrote both the book and the score for Schmigadoon, has picked up two of the night's writing awards early at the 79th Annual Tony Awards. A double win for a show's sole writer is the kind of start that turns a nominee into a talking point. So does it tell us where Best Musical is heading?

History says it is a real signal, but not a lock. Across the full run of the Tony for Best Book of a Musical, the book winner has gone on to take Best Musical in the same year just over half the time. The rest of the time, the book award and the top prize land on two different shows.

Recent seasons make the point. Shows that won both Best Book and Best Musical include Kimberly Akimbo (2023), A Strange Loop (2022), Hamilton (2016), Fun Home (2015), and The Book of Mormon (2011). Shows that won Best Book but watched another title take the top prize include Suffs (2024), Jagged Little Pill (2020), and Tootsie (2019).

So Schmigadoon's early haul is a boost for its Best Musical hopes, but plenty of strong books have fallen short on the night.

Welcome to the live blog! If you're trying to figure out how to watch along with us, check out our handy guide.

What's coming up? Starting at 3:30 PM ET on this page we'll be streaming live from the red carpet with Richard Ridge and Michael James Scott. Tune in to see all your favorite stars, creatives, and more.

Our photo team will also be bringing you all the fashion. Watch this space from photos hot off the red carpet.

At 6:35 PM ET Tony Awards: Act 1 will begin, during which some of the awards will be awarded. We'll be reporting on those live here.

What happens when the winners leave the stage? Our coverage doesn't stop there. Michael Gioia will be reporting live from inside the winner's room - where they go after coming off the stage for a small press conference. Stay tuned for what they say once they head behind the curtain, and more.

Our team will be bringing you comprehensive coverage from inside The Tony Awards all night. 

Enjoy the show!