Broadway & Live Theater — 2026-05-15
The Broadway season is buzzing with Tony Award nominations energizing box office receipts across the board, with nearly all nominated productions reporting bumps in the days following Tuesday's announcements. Meanwhile, *The Book of Mormon* announced its return to Broadway following a fire, and Grammy winner Ledisi is set to star in a new Broadway musical called *Wanted*. The upcoming weeks promise more activity with free Broadway concerts at Rockefeller Center beginning May 21.
Broadway & Live Theater — 2026-05-15
Key Highlights
Tony Award Nominations Boost Box Office
Last week's Tony Award nominations delivered a significant jolt to Broadway box office receipts. According to Deadline, "nearly all of the productions in the major categories reporting box office bumps in the days after Tuesday's Tony announcements." The musicals The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! each received 12 nominations for the 79th Tony Awards, while Schmigadoon and The Balusters won Outer Critics Circle Awards for outstanding new Broadway productions.
The Book of Mormon Returns After Fire
The Book of Mormon announced its return to Broadway following a fire, with performances set to resume May 21. The production's return has been one of the more dramatic Broadway stories of the week.
Grammy Winner Ledisi to Star in Wanted on Broadway
Grammy winner Ledisi has been announced to star in Wanted on Broadway, adding star power to the upcoming season.
Free Broadway Concerts at Rockefeller Center Begin May 21
Wicked, Just in Time, The Outsiders, and more will perform at free Broadway concerts at Rockefeller Center beginning May 21, offering audiences an accessible taste of the current season.
The Balusters Gets a Second Extension
The Balusters, the David Lindsay-Abaire play directed by Kenny Leon, has secured a second extension on Broadway, reflecting strong audience demand following its Outer Critics Circle win.
Meg Stalter Sets Broadway Debut in Oh, Mary!
Comedian and actress Meg Stalter has confirmed her Broadway debut in Oh, Mary!, one of the more talked-about shows of the season.
John Lithgow to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
John Lithgow, who stars in Giant — currently nominated for a Best Play Tony Award — will receive the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Off-Broadway Openings and Extensions
Off-Broadway continues to thrive: Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody has extended through Labor Day; Jamie Allan's magic show Amaze received its fourth extension; and Montego Glover, Robert Sean Leonard, and Jean Lichty are set to lead An American Daughter Off-Broadway.
Celebrity Autobiography Previews Begin
According to Playbill's schedule of upcoming Broadway shows, Celebrity Autobiography — the comedy sensation in which stars perform readings from celebrity autobiographies — begins previews May 16 at the Shubert Theatre, with opening night May 18.
Review Spotlight
The Tony Awards Conversation: Only Three Nominees for Best Revival of a Musical
One of the most discussed stories surrounding this year's Tony nominations is the unusual situation in the Best Revival of a Musical category — there are only three nominees. Playbill explored why this happened, pointing to the slate of revivals this season including Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball. The limited field has sparked debate among theater fans and critics about what qualifies as a revival versus a reimagining, especially given the boldly reconceived production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball.
Separately, Playbill published a passionate defense this week of Cats as a show — "always has been, good" — from a musical theatre historian, reflecting the renewed conversation about the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ahead of the Tonys.
Coming Up
79th Tony Awards Season in Full Swing
With nominations announced and the ceremony approaching, Broadway is in full awards-season mode. The Tony Awards conversation is dominating theater coverage, with The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! leading the pack with 12 nominations each. Bess Wohl's Liberation won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama this season, adding further prestige to what observers are calling a strong year for new American plays.
New Shows on the Horizon
- Celebrity Autobiography opens at the Shubert Theatre on May 18
- Free Broadway concerts at Rockefeller Center begin May 21, featuring casts from Wicked, Just in Time, The Outsiders, and more
- Fallen Angels is set to stream live from Broadway in June
- Hugh Jackman stars in New Born Off-Broadway, with first-look photos now available
West End News
Cassidy Janson is set to star in the West End return of Burlesque the Musical, and Colin Ryan and Xander Pang will lead Death Note: The Musical at London's Barbican — a high-profile engagement for the popular Japanese musical.
Regional and Off-Broadway Premieres
Brokeback Mountain the play is making its North American premiere in Chicago, while a new musical called Hit Show — based on the real-life kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr. — is setting its world premiere. Off-Broadway's Mint Theater has announced its 2026-2027 season, which will include Phyl and The Fanatics.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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