The Tony Award for Best Musical is given annually to the best new Broadway musical, as determined by Tony Award voters. The award is one of the ceremony's longest-standing awards, having been presented each year since 1949. The award goes to the producers of the winning musical. A musical is eligible for consideration in a given year if it has not previously been produced on Broadway and is not "determined... to be a 'classic' or in the historical or popular repertoire", otherwise it may be considered for Best Revival of a Musical.[1]
Tony Award for Best Musical | |
---|---|
Awarded for | Best Musical |
Location | New York City |
Presented by | American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League |
Currently held by | Kimberly Akimbo (2023) |
Website | TonyAwards.com |
Best Musical is the final award presented at the Tony Awards ceremony. Excerpts from the musicals that are nominated for this award are usually performed during the ceremony before this award is presented.
This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Winners and nominees
1940s
Year | Musical | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|
1949 (3rd) | ||
Kiss Me, Kate Book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter | Saint Subber and Lemuel Ayers |
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
Year | Musical | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|
1980 (34th) [26] | ||
Evita Book & Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber | Robert Stigwood | |
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine Book & New Lyrics by Dick Vosburgh, New Music by Frank Lazarus | Alexander H. Cohen and Hildy Parks | |
Barnum Book by Mark Bramble, Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Michael Stewart | Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Lois Rosenfield and Maurice Rosenfield | |
Sugar Babies Conceived by Ralph G. Allen and Harry Rigby, Music by Jimmy McHugh, Lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Al Dubin, and Various Artists | Terry Allen Kramer and Harry Rigby | |
1981 (35th) [27] | ||
42nd Street Book by Mark Bramble and Michael Stewart, Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin | David Merrick | |
Sophisticated Ladies Book by Donald McKayle, Music by Duke Ellington, Lyrics by Various Artists | Roger Berlind, Manheim Fox, Sondra Gilman, Burton L. Litwin, Louise Westergaard, Belwin Mills Publishing Corporation and Norzar Productions Inc. | |
Tintypes Conceived by Mary Kyte, Mel Marvin, and Gary Pearl | Richmond Crinkley, Royal Pardon Productions, Ivan Block, Larry J. Silva, Eve Skina and Joan F. Tobin | |
Woman of the Year Book by Peter Stone, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb | Lawrence Kasha, David S. Landay, James M. Nederlander, Warner Theater Productions, Claire Nichtern, Carole J. Shorenstein and Stewart F. Lane | |
1982 (36th) [28] | ||
Nine Book by Arthur Kopit, Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston | Michel Stuart, Harvey J. Klaris, Roger Berlind, James M. Nederlander, Francine LeFrak and Kenneth D. Greenblatt | |
Dreamgirls Book & Lyrics by Tom Eyen, Music by Henry Krieger | Michael Bennett, Bob Avian, Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization | |
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Book & Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber | Zev Buffman, Susan R. Rose, Melvin J. Estrin, Sidney Shlenker and Gail Berman | |
Pump Boys and Dinettes Book, Music, & Lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, Jim Wann | Dodger Productions, Louis Busch Hager, Marilyn Strauss, Kate Studley, Warner Theater Productions Inc. and Max Weitzenhoffer | |
1983 (37th) [29] | ||
Cats Based on Old Possum's Book of Cats by T. S. Eliot, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Additional Lyrics by Trevor Nunn & Richard Stilgoe | Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Inc., David Geffen and The Shubert Organization | |
Blues in the Night Conceived by Sheldon Epps | Mitchell Maxwell, Alan J. Schuster, Fred H. Krones and M2 Entertainment Inc. | |
Merlin Book by Richard Levinson and William Link, Music by Elmer Bernstein, Lyrics by Don Black | Ivan Reitman, Columbia Pictures Stage Productions Inc., Marvin A. Krauss and James M. Nederlander | |
My One and Only Book by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer, Music by George Gershwin, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin | Paramount Theatre Productions, Francine LeFrak and Kenneth-Mark Productions | |
1984 (38th) [30] | ||
La Cage aux Folles Book by Harvey Fierstein, Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman | Allan Carr, Kenneth D. Greenblatt, Marvin A. Krauss, Stewart F. Lane, James M. Nederlander, Martin Richards, Barry Brown and Fritz Holt | |
Baby Book by Sybille Pearson, Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. | James B. Freydberg, Ivan Bloch, Kenneth-John Productions, Suzanne J. Schwartz and Manuscript Productions | |
Sunday in the Park with George Book by James Lapine, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | The Shubert Organization and Emanuel Azenberg | |
The Tap Dance Kid Book by Charles Blackwell, Music by Henry Krieger, Lyrics by Robert Lorick | Stanley White, Evelyn Barron, Harvey J. Klaris and Michel Stuart | |
1985 (39th) [31] | ||
Big River Book by William Hauptman, Music & Lyrics by Roger Miller | Rocco Landesman & Heidi Ettinger, Rick Steiner, M. Anthony Fisher and Dodger Productions | |
Grind Book by Fay Kanin, Music by Larry Grossman, Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh | Kenneth D. Greenblatt, John J. Pomerantz, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards, James M. Nederlander, Harold Prince, Michael Frazier, Susan Madden Samson and Jonathan Farkas | |
Leader of the Pack Book by Anne Beatts, Music & Lyrics by Ellie Greenwich, Additional Lyrics by Jeff Barry, Phil Spector, Shadow Morton, Jeff Kent, and Ellen Foley | Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Nelle Nugent, Francine LeFrak, Clive Davis, John Hart Associates Inc., Rodger Hess and Richard Kagan | |
Quilters Book by Barbara Damashek and Molly Newman, Music & Lyrics by Damashek | The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The American National Theatre and Academy and Brockman Seawell | |
1986 (40th) [32] | ||
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Book, Music, & Lyrics by Rupert Holmes | Joseph Papp | |
Big Deal Book by Bob Fosse, Music & Lyrics by Various Artists | The Shubert Organization, Roger Berlind, Jerome Minskoff and Jonathan Farkas | |
Song and Dance Book & Lyrics by Don Black, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Additional Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. | Cameron Mackintosh Inc., The Shubert Organization, F.W.M. Producing Group and The Really Useful Company Inc. | |
Tango Argentino Conceived by Hector Orezzoli and Claudio Segovia | Mel Howard and Donald K. Donald | |
1987 (41st) [33] | ||
Les Misérables Book & Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg, English Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer | Cameron Mackintosh | |
Me and My Girl Book & Lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose, Music by Noel Gay, Revised Book by Stephen Fry and Mike Ockrent | Richard Armitage, Terry Allen Kramer, James M. Nederlander and Stage Promotions Limited & Co. | |
Rags Book by Joseph Stein, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Revised Book by David Thompson | Lee Guber, Martin Heinfling and Marvin A. Krauss | |
Starlight Express Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe | Martin Starger and Lord Grade | |
1988 (42nd) [34] | ||
The Phantom of the Opera Book by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe, Music by Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart, Additional Lyrics by Stilgoe | Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Inc. | |
Into the Woods Book by James Lapine, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Heidi Landesman, Rocco Landesman, Rick Steiner, M. Anthony Fisher, Frederic H. Mayerson and Jujamcyn Theaters | |
Romance/Romance Book & Lyrics by Barry Harman, Music by Keith Herrmann | Dasha Epstein, Harve Brosten and Jay S. Bulmash | |
Sarafina! Book by Mbongeni Ngema, Music & Lyrics by Ngema and Hugh Masekela | Lincoln Center Theater, Gregory Mosher, Bernard Gersten, Lucille Lortel and The Shubert Organization | |
1989 (43rd) [35] | ||
Jerome Robbins' Broadway Directed & Choreographed by Jerome Robbins | The Shubert Organization, Roger Berlind, Suntory International Corp., Byron Goldman and Emanuel Azenberg | |
Black and Blue Directed by Hector Orezzoli and Claudio Segovia, Music & Lyrics by Various Artists | Mel Howard and Donald K. Donald | |
Starmites Book by Barry Keating and Stuart Ross, Music & Lyrics by Keating | Hinks Shimberg, Mary Keil and Steven Warnick |
1990s
2000s
Year | Musical | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|
2000 (54th) [46] | ||
Contact Book by John Weidman, Choreography by Susan Stroman, Music & Lyrics by Various Artists | Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop and Bernard Gersten | |
James Joyce's The Dead Book by Richard Nelson, Music by Shaun Davey, Lyrics by Davey and Nelson | Gregory Mosher, Arielle Tepper, Playwrights Horizons and Tim Sanford | |
Swing! Book by Paul Kelly, Choreography by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Music & Lyrics by Various Artists | Jujamcyn Theaters, et al. | |
The Wild Party Book by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe, Music & Lyrics by LaChiusa | The Joseph Papp Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival, George C. Wolfe, Scott Rudin / Paramount Pictures, Roger Berlind and Williams/Waxman | |
2001 (55th) [47] | ||
The Producers Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Music & Lyrics by Brooks | Rocco Landesman, SFX Theatrical Group, The Frankel-Baruch-Viertel-Routh Group, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Rick Steiner, Robert F.X. Sillerman, Mel Brooks and James D. Stern / Douglas Meyer | |
A Class Act Book by Linda Kline and Lonny Price, Music & Lyrics by Edward Kleban | Marty Bell, Chase Mishkin, Arielle Tepper and Manhattan Theatre Club | |
The Full Monty Book by Terrence McNally, Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek | Fox Searchlight Pictures, Lindsay Law and Thomas Hall | |
Jane Eyre Book by John Caird, Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon | Annette Niemtzow, Janet Robinson, Pamela Koslow, Margaret McFeeley Golden, Jennifer Manocherian and Carolyn Kim McCarthy | |
2002 (56th) [48] | ||
Thoroughly Modern Millie Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics by Scanlan | Michael Leavitt, Fox Theatricals, Stewart F. Lane, James L. Nederlander, Whoopi Goldberg, et al. | |
Mamma Mia! Book by Catherine Johnson, Music & Lyrics by Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus | Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar and Universal | |
Sweet Smell of Success Book by John Guare, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Craig Carnelia | Clear Channel Entertainment, David Brown, Ernest Lehman, Marty Bell, Martin Richards, Roy Furman, Joan Cullman, Bob Boyett, East of Doheny, Bob and Harvey Weinstein | |
Urinetown Book by Greg Kotis, Music by Mark Hollmann, Lyrics by Hollmann and Kotis | The Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals, TheaterDreams, Inc., Lauren Mitchell | |
2003 (57th) [49] | ||
Hairspray Book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman | Margo Lion, et al. | |
Amour Book & Lyrics by Jeremy Sams and Didier Van Cauwelaert, Music by Michel Legrand | The Shubert Organization, Jean Doumanian Productions, Inc. and USA Ostar Theatricals | |
Movin' Out Conceived by Twyla Tharp, Music & Lyrics by Billy Joel | James L. Nederlander, Hal Luftig, Scott E. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Clear Channel Entertainment and Emanuel Azenberg | |
A Year with Frog and Toad Book & Lyrics by Willie Reale, Music by Robert Reale | Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner, Lawrence Horowitz, Roy Furman, Scott E. Nederlander and The Children's Theatre Company | |
2004 (58th) [50] | ||
Avenue Q Book by Jeff Whitty, Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx | Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group | |
The Boy from Oz Book by Nick Enright and Martin Sherman, Music & Lyrics by Peter Allen | Ben Gannon and Robert Fox | |
Caroline, or Change Book & Lyrics by Tony Kushner, Music by Jeanine Tesori | Carole Shorenstein Hays, HBO Films, Jujamcyn Theaters, Scott Rudin, Fox Theatricals, Roger Berlind, Clear Channel Entertainment, Joan Cullman, Greg Holland/Scott Nederlander, Margo Lion, The Public Theater, et al. | |
Wicked Book by Winnie Holzman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz | Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone | |
2005 (59th) [51] | ||
Spamalot Book & Lyrics by Eric Idle, Music by John Du Prez and Idle | Boyett Ostar Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper, Jam Theatricals, TGA Entertainment, Clear Channel Entertainment, et al. | |
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Book by Jeffrey Lane, Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek | Chase Mishkin, Debra Black, Weissberger Theater Group, Clear Channel Entertainment, Harvey Weinstein, MGM on Stage, et al. | |
The Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas, Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel | Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop and Bernard Gersten | |
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music & Lyrics by William Finn | David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company and Second Stage Theater | |
2006 (60th) [52] | ||
Jersey Boys Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Music by Bob Gaudio, Lyrics by Bob Crewe | Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Pelican Group, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Latitude Link, Rick Steiner/Osher/Staton/Bell/Mayerson Group | |
The Color Purple Book by Marsha Norman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, and Allee Willis | Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Kelsey Grammer, Nederlander Presentations, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, et al. | |
The Drowsy Chaperone Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison | Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Boyett Ostar Productions, Stephanie P. McClelland, Barbara Freitag, Jill Furman | |
The Wedding Singer Book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Beguelin | Margo Lion, New Line Cinema, The Araca Group, Jujamcyn Theaters, et al. | |
2007 (61st) [53] | ||
Spring Awakening Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater, Music by Duncan Sheik | Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Atlantic Theater Company, et al. | |
Curtains Book by Rupert Holmes, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Kander, and Holmes | Roger Berlind, Roger Horchow, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergere, Ted Hartley and Center Theatre Group | |
Grey Gardens Book by Doug Wright, Music by Scott Frankel, Lyrics by Michael Korie | East of Doheny, Staunch Entertainment, Randall Wreghitt / Mort Swinsky, Michael Alden, Edwin W. Schloss and Playwrights Horizons | |
Mary Poppins Book by Julian Fellowes, Music by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, and George Stiles, Lyrics by Anthony Drewe and The Sherman Brothers | Disney and Cameron Mackintosh | |
2008 (62nd) [54] | ||
In the Heights Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda | Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman, Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine, Everett/Skipper | |
Cry-Baby Book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell, Music by Adam Schlesinger, Lyrics by David Javerbaum | Adam Epstein, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, The Pelican Group, et al. | |
Passing Strange Book & Lyrics by Stew, Music by Heidi Rodewald and Stew | The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann LLC, Bill Kenwright, Chase Mishkin, The Public Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, et al. | |
Xanadu Book by Douglas Carter Beane, Music & Lyrics by John Farrar and Jeff Lynne | Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel and Sarah Murchison/Dale Smith | |
2009 (63rd) [55] | ||
Billy Elliot the Musical Book & Lyrics by Lee Hall, Music by Elton John | Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions and Weinstein Live Entertainment | |
Next to Normal Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Music by Tom Kitt | David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman and Ellen Richard | |
Rock of Ages Book by Chris D'Arienzo, Music & Lyrics by Various Artists | Matthew Weaver, The Araca Group, et al. | |
Shrek The Musical Book & Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori | DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions |
2010s
2020s
Records
Accumulated records as of 2022:[70]
- The Producers has won the most Tonys, winning in 12 categories, including Best Musical.
- Hamilton is the most-nominated production in Tony history, with 16 nominations.
- The Sound of Music and Fiorello! are the only two musicals to date to have ever tied for the Best Musical award (in 1960).
- Passion is the shortest-running winner, with 280 performances. (If preview performances are included, then that distinction belongs to A Strange Loop.)
- The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running Best Musical winner, with 16 previews and over 13,981 performances.[71]
- Hallelujah, Baby! is the only show thus far to have won the Tony Award for Best Musical after closing.
- Kiss Me, Kate and Titanic are the only two shows to win the Tony Award for Best Musical without any Tony nominations in the acting categories. (In Kiss Me, Kate's case, only winners were announced that year, and only in the lead performance categories.)
- Two Gentlemen of Verona (1972), Raisin (1974), 42nd Street (1981) and A Strange Loop (2022) won Best Musical and only one other Tony Award.
- What is now the Richard Rodgers Theatre has housed more Best Musical winners than any other theater on Broadway: Guys and Dolls (1951), Damn Yankees (1956), Redhead (1959), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1962), 1776 (1969), Raisin (1974), Nine (1982), In the Heights (2008), and Hamilton (2016).
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood was the first winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical to be entirely written by one man, Rupert Holmes. Rent (by Jonathan Larson), Hamilton (by Lin-Manuel Miranda), and A Strange Loop (by Michael R. Jackson) also achieved this feat. Hadestown is the first musical entirely written by one woman, Anaïs Mitchell, to win this award.
- Fun Home was the first musical written entirely by a team of women to win the Tony Award for Best Musical.
- The 74th Tony Awards (2020) is the first ceremony in which only jukebox musicals were nominated.