2026 Tony Awards: Broadway Shows With Jewish Connections

Jewish talent takes center stage at the Tony Awards with acclaimed plays, musicals and performances earning nominations.

On June 7, the 79th Tony Award's will take place at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, airing on CBS live at 8 pm EST. The ceremony is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for theatergoers, Broadway artists and producers. Schmigadoon and The Lost Boys both nabbed the most Tony nominations — 12 each.  

The pop singer-songwriter Pink (born Alecia Beth Moore; her mother is Jewish) will host the show. During the Tony broadcast, Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to James Lapine, Jules Fisher and Andre Bishop. 

Some of the shows nominated have already closed. Liberation, written by Bess Wohl, is a provocative play about the women's movement, and is up for Best Play and Best Book by Wohl. (The play also recently won a Pulitzer Prize for drama.) Actress Betsy Aidem was nominated for Liberation, and actor Danny Burnstein garnered a nomination for Majorie Prime, a sci-fidrama about an elderly woman, that closed earlier this year.

This season offers a diverse group of plays and musicals, many with a strong Jewish connection and many with multiple Tony nominations. Here are the current shows with Jewish ties:

Beaches, based on the iconic film of the same name,follows a 30-year friendship between two women, Cee Cee Bloom and Hillary Whitney. Their relationship began as children on the boardwalk in New Jersey and endured successes and disappointments, heartbreak and illness. The book and lyrics are by Iris Rainer Dart, music by Mike Stoller and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen. Starring Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee Bloom, Kelli Barrett as Bertie and Samantha Schwartz as young Cee Cee.

At the Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44th St. (212) 239-6200.

Becky Shaw,nominated for Best Revival of a Play, is a dark comedy that explores love, relationships and morality. Suzanna, a therapist, and her husband, Andrew, set up Andrew's co-worker Becky with Suzanna's adoptive brother, Max. But the blind date, that's never shown on stage, spirals into something messy and complex. Starring Lauren Patten, Linda Emond and Alden Ehrenreich. The show closes on June 14.

At the Hayes Theater, 240 W. 44th St. (212) 541-4516.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a reimagined revival of the Broadway hit Cats, has the same original iconic score by Anderew Lloyd Weber. But in this version, the cats are in a drag competition. Set in a queer ballroom, the immersive staging allows the audience to be a part of the scene. Some of the unforgettable cats are the rebellious Rum Tum Tugger and the magical Mr. Mistoffelees. It's nominated for Best Revival of a Musical. The show is produced by Mike Bosner and Michael Harrison. It runs through July 28.

At the Broadhurst Theater, 235 W. 44th St. (212) 239-6200.

Chess, set during the Cold War, centers on two chess players, one American and one Russian, who compete in a World Chess Championship. There is also a love triangle with a woman between them. The cast features Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher and Lea Michele (her father is Jewish and her mother is Catholic. She was raised Catholic, but her husband, Zandy Reich, is Jewish.) This riveting revival, that first appeared on Broadway in 1998, involves intrigue, drama and politics. The book is by Danny Strong, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and it's directed by Michael Mayer.  The show closes Sept. 13.

​At the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St. (212) 239-6200. 

Dog Day Afternoon, based on the film with the same name, is a raw, gritty true crime story about a real-life 1972 bank robberythat took place in New York. Starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, this powerful drama is set in the sweltering summer heat in Brooklyn. What started as a bank robbery spiraled into a hostage situation. The central character, Sonny, is desperate and driven by personal motivations. This local story turned into a sensational media spectacle. David Korins is nominated for Best Scenic Design.

At the August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St. (888) 959-1878.

Death of a Salesman, up for Best Revival of a Play, is a timeless masterpiece about the American dream that's written by the acclaimed and celebrated playwright Arthur Miller, who was a University of Michigan graduate. He wrote Death of a Salesman in 1948; it premiered on Broadway in 1949 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama and a Tony Award for best play. This production stars Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf, who were both nominated for Tonys. The gripping story focuses on Willie Loman, a traveling salesman whose vision of a perfect business and family comes crashing down. The play examines ambition, failure and societal pressures. This tragic conclusion moves the present-day audience just as it did when it was first performed more than 75 years ago. The show closes Aug. 9.

At the Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway (212) 239-6200.

Every Brilliant Thing, up for Best Revival of a Play, is a heartwarming one-man show starring Daniel Radcliffe, who is nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play.A narrator (Radcliff) compiles a list of brilliant things worth living for after his mother struggles with mental illness. Each performance is unique and unpredictable as random audience members are chosen to read from the list and interact with the narrator — some even invited on stage to play different characters from his life, like his dad or a teacher. Although funny, tender and warm, the play deals with depression and suicide. Starting May 26, Mariska Hargitay took over the role.

At the Hudson Theater, 141 W. 44th St. (855) 801-5876.

Fallen Angels,a revival of Noël Coward's 1925 comedy classic, is nominated for Best Revival of a Play. Directed by Scott Ellis, the play follows two upper-class wives. With their husbands away for the day, they find themselves reminiscing over shared romantic histories — particularly with the same man, who may soon arrive from France. It stars Tony-nominated Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara; Mark Consuelos (Live with Kelly and Mark) is also in the cast. Lighting design is by Kenneth Posner. The show runs through June 7. 

At the Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St. (212) 719-1300.

Giant,garnering a nomination for Best Play,tells the true story of renowned children's author Roald Dahl, his legacy and his antisemitism. Dahl, creator/writer of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and Matilda, was antisemitic and faced controversy. Dahl made very offensive remarks about Jews and Israel, and his publishers tried to persuade him to apologize. Tony nominations include Mark Rosenblatt for writing the book, John Lithgow and Aya Cash for acting, and Nicholas Hytner for direction. The cast also includes Elliot Levey. Although the play is set in the 1980s, the theme of antisemitism resonates today, considering the alarming rise of Jewish hate around the world. The show closes June 28.

At the Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St. (212) 239-6200.

Ragtime,up for Best Revival of a Musical,starsJoshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz,  Caissie Levy, and Ben Levi Ross, who are all Tony nominees.Other cast members include Shaina Taub and Anna Grace Barlow. The musical is an adaption of E.L. Doctorow's novel and follows three fictional families from different backgrounds who are in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th century. One of the immigrants is a Jewish man, who is widowed and traveled to New York with his daughter. After falling into hard times and living in extreme poverty, he finds a way to become successful. Another family faces racism when his girlfriend has his baby and is shielded by a white couple who live in the suburbs.  Stephen Flaherty wrote the music, Lynn Ahrens wrote the lyrics, and Terrence McNally wrote the book.  

At the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 150 W. 65th St. (212) 239-6200.

Schmigadoon, with 12 Tony nominations including Best Musical, is an adaptation of the beloved first season of the 2021 television series of the same name. This delightful show includes songs both from the TV series and original songs by Cinco Paul and follows two New York City doctors struggling with their romantic relationship. During a backpacking trip, they find themselves trapped in a mysterious town that's frozen in time, similar to the setting of the Golden Age of musicals. The townspeople frequently break into song and dance. The couple is not allowed to leave town until they commit to true love. Although a satire, it's a joyful celebration of musical theater. The large cast includes Alex Brightman, along with Tony-nominated actresses Sara Chase and SNL alum Ana Gasteyer. The show's lead producer is Lorne Michaels (SNL). Doug Besterman and Mike Morris earned a Tony nod for Best Orchestrations. The show closes on Sept. 6.

At the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St. (212) 921-8000.

The Balusters,contending for Best Play,is a comedy-drama thatfocuses on a neighborhood conflict. The residents of the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association have a meeting to discuss local issues. But a newcomer wants to install a stop sign on a beautiful street and it becomes a full-scale battle. Written by David Lindsay-Abair, the original music and sound design is by Dan Moses Schreier.

At the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St. (212) 239-6200.

The Fear of 13 is based on the documentary about the life of Nick Yarris, who was convicted of a murder that he didn't commit in Pennsylvania in the 1980s. Adrien Brody plays Yarris. Although innocent, Yarris requested to be executed, but, ultimately, through DNA evidence, he was exonerated. It's directed by David Cromer. The play centers around conversations between Nick and a prison volunteer, tracing his life and the search for the truth.

At the James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. 48th St. (212) 239-6200.

The Lost Boys, with 12 Tony Nominations including Best Musical, is based on the film from the 1980s. It tells the frightening story of a mother and her two teenage boys who move to California in search of a fresh start only to discover the dark side of this sunny costal community. What starts as a coming-of-age story quickly shifts when one of the sons falls under the spell of a gang of teenage vampires. Starring Tony-nominated Shoshana Bean, the show is directed by Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Endings). Jen Schriever and Michael Arden were nominated for Best Lighting Design.

At the Palace Theatre, 160 W. 47th St. (9212) 239-6200.

The Rocky Horror Show, the cult phenomenon, ismaking a return to Broadway. The story follows a straightlaced newly engaged couple who are stranded in a storm and find themselves in a spooky, mysterious mansion. Inside, they encounter Frank-N-Furter, a gender non-conforming mad scientist, along with other eccentric characters. A Tony contender for Best Revival of a Musical, the cast includes SNL alum Rachel Dratch, who is also nominated. While traditionally this show is famous for audience participation, out of respect to the actors, this production places limits on the interaction. The show closes Nov. 29.

At Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St. (212) 719-1300.

Titanique, nominated for Best Musical, isa campy, fun, zany story aboutthe ill-fated ship narrated by a fictionalized Céline Dion, who inserts herself into the story of Jack and Rose to tell her version. There are plenty of clever pop culture references and improvisations. The score is highlighted with Dion's greatest hits, including “My Heart Will Go On†and “All by Myself.†It stars Jim Parsons and Tony-nominated actress Marla Mindelle. Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande and Constantine Rousouli are also in the cast. Mindelle, who plays Céline, co-wrote the show with Tye Blue and Rousouli — and the three were nominated for Best Book of a Musical. The show started Off-Broadway and moved to the West End in London, where it won an Olivier Award last year, and opened in other countries around the world. The show closes on Sept. 20.  

At the St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St. (888) 959-1874.

Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), nominated for Best Musical, is an original production that tells the story of two strangers trying to navigate New York City. Dougal, a young optimistic Brit, travels to New York for his estranged father's wedding. Robin, the bride's sister and bold New Yorker, picks up the groom's son from the airport. The duo run errands, which include picking up the cake and journeying around the city.

Starring Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts, who are both nominated in the best actor/actress category. The producers include Victoria Weinberg from Glass Half Full Productions.

At the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St. (212) 239-6200.