Once a year, Broadway puts on its finest tux, and the Tony Awards take center stage. The theatrical equivalent of the Oscars, this annual ceremony is the ultimate celebration of Broadway's best and brightest! Each year, these prestigious accolades shine a spotlight on the standout productions, performances, and creative teams lighting up Broadway. For theatre fans and industry insiders alike, the Tonys offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of Broadway, showcasing the innovation and craftsmanship that keep the magic of live theatre alive and thriving. Whether it's a gripping drama, an uplifting musical, or a dazzling revival, winning a Tony can propel a show to even greater heights, attracting audiences from around the world and solidifying its place in Broadway history.
For group planners, keeping an eye on the Tony buzz is just as important as scoring the best seats in the house. The Awards serve as a barometer for what's hot and happening in the theatre scene, making them a key tool for curating unforgettable itineraries. Shows that are generating Tony buzz are likely to become the talk of the town, the must-see spectacles that anyone visiting New York will want to experience. After all, when a show starts racking up nominations and awards, you can bet it's offering something special that resonates with critics and audiences alike.
As we begin to look towards the 2026 season, there are already rumors swirling about which productions are gearing up to make a splash. Whether it's the anticipation of a new original musical, a star-studded revival, or a groundbreaking play, having these potential Tony contenders on your radar could be the key to crafting an unbeatable theatre itinerary. So, group planners, grab your calendars and make a note—here are the shows that you'll want to keep an eye on as we head towards another thrilling Tony season!
The Musical Revivals
CATS: The Jellicle Ball
When Cats originally pounced on Broadway in 1982, it was an instant hit with audiences. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics consisting of the poetry of T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the dance-heavy musical quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Audiences just couldn’t get enough of the singing and dancing cats. The show won seven Tony Awards in 1983 and ran for 18 years, making it the longest-running musical at the time. The musical has had one revival since the original production closed in 2000, but 2026 will see a bold reimagining of the Broadway classic.
Inspired by ballroom culture, this dazzling revival sets the stage for an exhilarating feline festivity that’s both fierce and fabulously fun. Spearheaded by visionary directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, and featuring choreography by ballroom icons Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, CATS: The Jellicle Ball is more than just a musical; it's an experience—a celebration of love, resilience, and sheer theatrical joy that’s already purring its way to Broadway acclaim.
It was a short-lived run, the first time around on Broadway, for this Cold War-era set musical about an American and a Russian vying for a chess championship. The score, though, by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with Tim Rice, has been popular with musical theatre fans since its 1988 premiere, prompting regional productions and rumors for a Broadway return over the years. It’s finally back this season and with a cast that has audiences lining up at the box office: Tony winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge!), Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Lea Michele (Glee), and Broadway powerhouse vocalist Nicholas Christopher. Expect soaring anthems, political intrigue, and some of the most demanding vocal writing in the musical theatre canon…and probably a few Tony nominations.
The Rocky Horror Show
Get ready to do the Time Warp again as The Rocky Horror Show makes its anticipated return to Broadway! Originally staged on Broadway in 1975, the show wasn’t a hit at its premiere but has since become a beloved cult classic, thrilling audiences with its audacious mix of camp, rock ‘n’ roll, and audience participation. This spring, Studio 54 will shake up the scene with this delightfully over-the-top revival, embracing everything we’ve loved about the show while injecting fresh energy and a few new surprises.
The all-star cast includes film and television stars making their Broadway debuts — Harvey Guillén, Juliette Lewis, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez — as well as Tony-nominated Broadway favorites Andrew Durand, Amber Gray, Rachel Dratch, and Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu. Welsh sensation and silver screen heartthrob Luke Evans will don those iconic spiked heels as the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter, promising a performance as bold and brassy as the character itself. Directed by the visionary Sam Pinkleton, hot off his Tony-winning success with Oh, Mary!, this rendition of the sci-fi B-movie homage is set to deliver all the camp, glam, and audience participation that fans adore.
The New Musicals
The Lost Boys
The gritty, sun-soaked boardwalks of Santa Carla come to life on stage in a new musical adaptation of the cult-classic 80s vampire film that defined a generation. Featuring a rock-infused score by indie band The Rescues that echoes the rebellious spirit of the original movie, The Lost Boys promises a wild ride following teenage brothers Michael and Sam as they navigate new friendships, family bonds, and the alluring yet dangerous vampiric underworld.
Expect striking visuals from the Tony-winning team behind Maybe Happy Ending, director Michael Arden and scenic and video designer Dane Laffrey. Tony nominees Ali Louis Bourzgui and Shoshana Bean lead the cast. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the film or new to its thrills and chills, The Lost Boys promises to be an electrifying night of theatre that will sink its teeth into you and not let go.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Following acclaimed runs in London’s West End and at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) made its Broadway debut in November. The musical centers on Dougal, a relentlessly cheerful Englishman newly arrived in New York to attend his long-absent father’s wedding. Crossing paths with him is Robin, the bride’s overextended sister, who finds herself tasked with ferrying both Dougal and a wedding cake from the airport into the heart of the city. As their awkward trek unfolds, the show blends sharp humor with unexpected emotional turns, gradually revealing buried truths and the possibility of second chances. Praised by The New York Times as “an effervescent new musical comedy,” the production delivers buoyant laughs with just enough theatrical sparkle.
Beaches
Grab your tissues: Beaches, the beloved story of friendship and resilience, is heading to Broadway this spring. Based on the best-selling novel by Iris Rainer Dart and its 1988 film adaptation, the musical follows the decades-long bond between two unlikely friends, Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie, as they navigate ambition, love, loss, and loyalty.
Broadway favorites Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett star as Cee Cee and Bertie, roles made famous on film by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. The production features new music by Grammy-winning songwriter Mike Stoller, with lyrics by Dart. The stage show will honor the film’s legacy with the inclusion of its unforgettable ballad, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
The Long-Running Hits
Broadway’s vitality comes from a balance of bold new voices and the shows that have proven their staying power. While fresh productions spark excitement each season, it’s the long-running, award-winning musicals that anchor the Broadway experience, continuing to draw audiences year after year. These productions have become part of the cultural fabric of the Theatre District, reminding us why Broadway remains a global destination for storytelling and spectacle.
Past Best Musical Tony Award winners currently running on Broadway include The Book of Mormon, Hadestown, Hamilton, The Lion King, Maybe Happy Ending, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and The Outsiders—and seeing any one of them offers audiences the chance to experience some of the most celebrated storytelling Broadway has to offer, live and in full force.
As 2026 unfolds, Broadway is buzzing with Tony-worthy excitement, fueled by a dynamic mix of bold new musicals and freshly reimagined revivals lighting up the stages. With award-season anticipation in the air, these are the shows to put on your radar as you plan your Broadway trips—whether it’s discovering the next breakout hit or experiencing a beloved classic in a thrilling new way. Broadway Inbound makes it easy to be part of the excitement, offering group discounts and personalized support so you can focus on soaking up the magic, sharing the experience, and creating memories at the heart of Broadway’s most exhilarating season yet.