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[0:00] Jeff Malone: Welcome to Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, the podcast where we explore the latest shows we see, sharing our insights and opinions on the performances, storylines, and everything in between. In today's episode, we're discussing the Tony Awards ballot for Tony Awards 2026, the musicals. We have another episode all about the plays of the season. We're just talking now in this episode all about the musicals. So either you didn't catch any of these shows in person, or you just kind of want to hear our thoughts and our predictions of what we think might win the Tony Award this year, this episode is for you regardless. So if you're ready to dive into the musical categories with us, stick around with us. I'm Jeff.

[0:35] Richie Grasso: And I'm Richie. We're thrilled to be your hosts for this episode today. But before we start the conversation about the musicals of the Tony Awards 2026, here are a few words from our advertisers.

[0:45] Jeff Malone: Well, welcome everyone to a new episode of Half Hour with Jeff & Richie. Today we're discussing the Tony Awards musical categories for the 25-26 Tony Awards season. So we're going to roll through all the categories. We're going to list the nominees. Then Jeff and I are going to tell you what we think is going to win based on our thoughts on seeing the majority of these shows this season, which is really exciting. So we've seen a lot of theater and we're ready to dive in. So we're going to start with... And get your ballots out like us if you can see it and follow along with us. We're going to start with the first half. We'll take a little break and then we'll get to the second half. So we're going to take you on to all the musical Tony nomination categories. And we're going to start with best sound design of a musical. And the nominees are Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, and Schmigadoon.

[1:34] Jeff Malone: All right. So my pick for this is going to Kai Harada for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Kai is actually nominated twice in this category for Cats and Ragtime.

[1:40] Richie Grasso: I will say I would agree with you. I think it's Kai's Tony for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. The mixing of that music with the mics and the sound and the ambiance and that dance club feel of the ball that we are in in that show totally makes sense. Yeah. I just think it worked for me in that way. So I would love to see it.

[1:56] Jeff Malone: Amazing. So now we have best lighting design of a musical and nominated is the production of Chess, The Rocky Horror Show, Schmigadoon, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, and The Lost Boys.

[2:08] Richie Grasso: So to me, I really think this is going to Jen Shriver and Michael Arden for The Lost Boys. It's incredible, incredible lighting design. Some of the best I think I've seen in a long time to light, spoiler alert, flying actors to light scenery coming in from every angle of that room and that theater. Really impressive lighting and I really hope it goes to that.

[2:28] Jeff Malone: Oh, 1000%. I also think it's going to Jen Shriver and Michael Arden. I think like, yes, like you said, lighting these actors and flying and the whole production in that way had a lot of great technical elements and the lighting was definitely one for me.

[2:39] Richie Grasso: Totally. All right. Best costume design of a musical, Ragtime, Schmigadoon, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Show. So I said this on the plays episode. So if you haven't listened to that one, you can go and listen to that as well. But I feel that I was going back and forth between Linda Cho winning for Schmigadoon, which she is also nominated for Ragtime, but also Queen Jean has Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Queen Jean is also nominated for the play Liberation. So when I was looking at this, I'm kind of like playing a little game here myself. And I think because I think Queen Jean's going to win for Liberation, I'm going with my gut and thinking that Linda Cho is going to win for Schmigadoon. Those costumes are gorgeous. And we've had so many reasons on why matching everything down from the necktie down to the shoe. It just looked fabulous and executed so well.

[3:35] Jeff Malone: I'm between Queen Jean for Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Linda Cho for Schmigadoon as well. It's neck and neck for me between those two. I do think this could lean to Linda Cho for Schmigadoon. I think those costumes are incredible. They're so detail-oriented. And you talked about the shoe. I'm even talking about the socks too. And the socks, the heel color, everything that everyone's wearing in the hats. Could it go to Queen Jean for Cats: The Jellicle Ball too? Totally. Yeah. So that's tight. Hey listen, Queen Jean can win both. And that would be amazing. Could you imagine? That'd be so cool. So I think it's going to Linda Cho for Schmigadoon as well.

[4:03] Jeff Malone: All right. Now we have Best Scenic Design of a Musical. And the productions nominated are The Rocky Horror Show, Two Strangers Carry a Cake, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, The Lost Boys, and Schmigadoon.

[4:14] Richie Grasso: So to me, again, I really think this is going to The Lost Boys. Dane Laffrey, that set is incredible. The pieces that are moving, the pieces that are not moving, things are coming from the ceiling, from the floor, from left and right. It's just epic scenery at a large scale. And I think that if anything, I would love to see some scenic and lighting wins for The Lost Boys because it is just an elevated show that is just changing the game for Broadway, I think, in such incredible ways.

[4:41] Jeff Malone: Yeah. When you say spectacle on Broadway, this scenic design by Dane Laffrey here is just great. And it's amazing to look at. And it's used so well. So yes, I do think that this is also winning for scenic design.

[4:59] Richie Grasso: There we go. All right. Best Direction of a Musical is next. We have Michael Arden, The Lost Boys, Lear de Bezenet, Ragtime, Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon, Tim Jackson, Two Strangers Carry a Cake, and Jalon Livingston and Bill Rauch for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

[5:14] Jeff Malone: So my gut and my want and win that I think is really going to happen here is for Jalon Livingston and Bill Rauch for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. It's just like those two directors working together made this look beautiful. I loved it downtown. I love it on Broadway. And it's my favorite thing that is directed in this group here. So I definitely think that that's winning.

[5:38] Richie Grasso: Totally agreed. Jalon Livingston, Bill Rauch for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Visionary. Visionaries. To take something that we all knew and to completely reimagine it, but keeping the text, the music, and not changing something in the revival, that is impressive. And I really, really, really think that they could take it and should take it for this category.

[6:01] Jeff Malone: One thousand percent. What's next?

[6:02] Richie Grasso: We have Best Choreography. So we have Christopher Gattelli for Schmigadoon, Eleanor Scott, Ragtime, Annie Taj in The Rocky Horror Show, Armari Wiles in Arturo Lyons for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and Lauren Yalingo-Grant and Christopher Cree-Grant for The Lost Boys.

[6:18] Jeff Malone: This is really hard because I was neck and neck between Cats and Schmigadoon, two completely different shows, but both with epic choreography in their own way. But if I really have to choose, I think it's got to go towards Armari Wiles and Arturo Lyons for Cats: The Jellicle Ball. That choreography is incredible. It is moving. They are making it look so easy. It is just wonderful ball culture choreo that is brought to the mainstream of Broadway. I'm not saying Schmigadoon isn't worthy of this, but we have seen for many years that style of dance for so many years on Broadway. And that's not to say that it couldn't totally win because it could. It's brilliant. But I think that this could go to Cats very, very easily.

[6:59] Richie Grasso: Christopher knows what he's doing with Schmigadoon. It was a favorite moment of ours by bringing that classic, you know, raising of the curtain and you see the legs and it's like he knows what he's doing there and we appreciate that and love that. But if I'm going to look at something and say there's something a little bit more groundbreaking happening on a Broadway stage right now, it's bringing voguing and ball culture to the stage in the dance art form. And I think what Omari and Arturo do with this is just amazing. So, you know, even down to the hand choreo, and I don't think like, you know, people are even looking at those details that well when I look at this and I'm saying, wow, those hands are moving at perfect precision timing. It's just like they get it and it's very choreographed. So I really think that they're going to take the Tony this totally this time around.

[7:55] Jeff Malone: Moving on to best orchestrations, we have Schmigadoon, The Lost Boys, Two Strangers Carry a Cake, Chess, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Where are you going with this one?

[8:06] Richie Grasso: My gut's telling me that Cats: The Jellicle Ball is taking this with Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder, and Doug Schad for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

[8:16] Jeff Malone: I would agree that it would be going to them too. It's taking this score, which already had orchestrations, right? But to revive it and to have to kind of change it a little bit with the blessing here of Andrew Lloyd Webber, clearly to bring this to the stage in the way that it intends to be revived. That is hard. That is cool. And that I think is going to win best orchestrations for sure.

[8:37] Richie Grasso: I totally agree with that.

[8:38] Jeff Malone: Yeah, totally. All right. Best original score. What do we have?

[8:42] Richie Grasso: We have Death of a Salesman, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon, and Two Strangers Carry a Cake.

[8:51] Jeff Malone: All right. This is just Schmigadoon for me. I know that some of this music was written for the TV show. This is still eligible according to the Tony panel for best original score. I love the music of Schmigadoon. I think this is just bringing golden age sound back to the mainstream Broadway that we haven't seen orchestral scores winning for best original score in a long time. And I just think this is the win for Schmigadoon.

[9:12] Richie Grasso: I also think that this is going to Schmigadoon, Cinco Paul. I just think, you know, these have some of my favorite songs on the Broadway stage this year. So yes, you know, let's have some corn pudding. But I definitely think that this is winning best original score.

[9:28] Jeff Malone: And best book musical. So we have The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon, Titanic, and Two Strangers.

[9:36] Richie Grasso: So this might be an interesting opinion here, but I think that Titanic, Marla Mandel, Constantine Rassouli, and Ty Bleu are going to win best book of musical. I think like, really, when you look at it, besides Schmigadoon, which I also think that could take it, I find that Titanic has like one of the best and most interesting books that is kind of like unexpected and obviously was off Broadway. But now with it being on Broadway, I think it's still like lives. And I could totally see it going.

[10:10] Jeff Malone: I really could see it too. I think it's really funny. It's so creative and inventive. And I think that that would be a cool win for Titanic. Like if they didn't really win much else, but they won that, that's pretty cool and pretty fascinating for them to have this idea to flush it out to get a Tony nomination, and then a Tony win for book. I'm rooting for Titanic for that too. And the fact that it's nominated, it makes me feel like there's great potential that could win.

[10:35] Richie Grasso: Totally.

[10:37] Jeff Malone: All right. Well, let's take a quick break now that we've got through most of the design and creative categories here. And when we get back, we'll get into the actors that are nominated in the musicals and the big ones, revival of a musical and...

[10:49] Jeff Malone: Welcome to the Half Hour with Jeff & Richie. Today, we're diving into our predictions for the 2026 Tony Awards, specifically focusing on the musical categories.

[11:19] Richie Grasso: That's right, Jeff! We have some exciting nominees to discuss, and we’ll break down each category to see who we think will take home the coveted awards.

[11:49] Jeff Malone: Let’s start with Best Musical. This year, we have some strong contenders: "Schmigadoon!", "The Lost Boys", "Titanique", "Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York", and "Cats: The Jellicle Ball".

[12:04] Richie Grasso: Each of these shows brings something unique to the table. "Schmigadoon!" has that nostalgic charm, while "Titanique" is a clever twist on a classic story.

[12:14] Jeff Malone: Absolutely! And "The Lost Boys" has been generating a lot of buzz with its fresh take on the beloved tale.

[12:24] Richie Grasso: I think "Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York" is also worth mentioning. It’s a unique concept that really resonates with audiences.

[12:34] Jeff Malone: And let’s not forget "Cats: The Jellicle Ball". It’s a revival that has captured the hearts of many, despite its mixed reviews.

[12:44] Richie Grasso: So, who are you leaning towards for Best Musical, Jeff?

[12:49] Jeff Malone: I’m going to go with "Titanique". The creativity and humor in that show are just outstanding.

[12:54] Richie Grasso: Great choice! I’m leaning towards "Schmigadoon!" for its charm and the way it pays homage to classic musicals.

[13:04] Jeff Malone: Moving on to Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, we have some incredible nominees this year.

[13:09] Richie Grasso: Yes, we do! Key contenders include Shoshana Bean, Joshua Henry, and André De Shields. Each of them has delivered remarkable performances.

[13:19] Jeff Malone: I think Joshua Henry has a strong chance this year. His vocal prowess is unmatched.

[13:24] Richie Grasso: I agree, but I wouldn’t count out André De Shields. His experience and stage presence are always captivating.

[13:34] Jeff Malone: And Shoshana Bean has been phenomenal as well. She’s really made a name for herself in the Broadway community.

[13:39] Richie Grasso: It’s going to be a tough competition!

[13:44] Jeff Malone: Now, let’s discuss Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

[13:49] Richie Grasso: The nominees include Hannah Cruz and Layton Williams, both of whom have been outstanding this season.

[13:54] Jeff Malone: I think Hannah Cruz has a great shot. Her performance has been praised across the board.

[14:04] Richie Grasso: I’m excited to see how this category unfolds.

[14:09] Jeff Malone: Next up is Best Direction of a Musical.

[14:14] Richie Grasso: This category is always interesting, as the direction can really make or break a show.

[14:19] Jeff Malone: Exactly! I think the directors of "Titanique" and "Schmigadoon!" are strong contenders here.

[14:24] Richie Grasso: Definitely! Their visions have really brought these shows to life.

[14:29] Jeff Malone: And finally, we have Best Musical Revival.

[14:34] Richie Grasso: This is where "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" really shines.

[14:39] Jeff Malone: Yes, it’s a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences.

[14:44] Richie Grasso: Well, those are our predictions for the 2026 Tony Awards musical categories!

[14:49] Jeff Malone: We can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

[14:54] Richie Grasso: Be sure to share your thoughts on our predictions in the comments on Spotify!

[14:59] Jeff Malone: And let us know what categories you’re most excited about.

[15:04] Richie Grasso: Thanks for joining us today on Half Hour with Jeff & Richie!