Nominations for the 79th Annual Tony Awards were announced on May 5. This year’s Best Revival of a Musical category features only three nominees: Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, and CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Notably absent are Chess and Mamma Mia!, raising questions about the selection process.
Understanding the Tony Nomination Process
The Best Revival of a Musical category typically has four nominees. However, the number of eligible productions directly affects how many nominations are granted. In recent seasons, at least six shows were eligible, allowing for four nominees. This year, the non-eligibility of Beetlejuice the Musical reduced the number of eligible productions to five.
Nominees for Best Revival of a Musical
- Ragtime
- The Rocky Horror Show
- CATS: The Jellicle Ball
Details on Eligible Productions
This season, five shows were considered for nominations: Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Chess, and Mamma Mia!. After the nominating committee cast their votes, the top three productions—Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, and CATS—secured their spots. Chess and Mamma Mia! did not receive sufficient votes, falling behind by more than 10 percent.
Nominations Explained
The nomination process is defined by the number of eligible shows. For categories with five or four eligible productions, the Nominating Committee votes for three nominees. If the vote difference for a fourth nominee is 10 percent or less, that nominee may also enter the mix.
For categories with three or fewer eligible shows, each show is voted on individually. A simple majority determines if a show is nominated. This year’s three-nominee situation is not an oversight; it’s purely based on voting numbers.
Future Productions
Looking ahead, three revivals are confirmed for the 2026-27 Broadway season: Dreamgirls, The Full Monty, and Evita. It remains to be seen if more will join or if adjustments to nomination criteria will be needed.
Upcoming Tony Awards Ceremony
The 79th Annual Tony Awards will be aired live on June 7 from Radio City Music Hall starting at 8 PM ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Grammy winner Pink will serve as the event’s host. The awards are presented by The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, with leadership from Ted Chapin, Heather Hitchens, Kristin Caskey, and Jason Laks.
