Best Play 2026

[Joyce 9]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 9:20am

Liberation

Giant

Punch

Fear of 13

Dog Day Afternoon

The Balusters

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 9:30am

Dog Day Afternoon sounds disappointing. Hope Fear of 13 delivers.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 9:31am

Closed or not, I think Liberation goes all the way this year. 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 10:09am

is Every Brillant Thing eligible?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 10:23am

Giant or Liberation will win. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 10:28am

VernonGersch said: "is Every Brillant Thing eligible?"

I'm pretty sure that one is considered a revival 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 10:43am

Really hoping it’s LIBERATION, but right now I think GIANT has a leg up, given that it’s run has just started.  

Updated On: 3/14/26 at 10:43 AM

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 11:39am

Smaxie said: "Closed or not, I think Liberation goes all the way this year."

For whatever reason, the Tonys have no problem rewarding plays or performances from plays that are already closed, just musicals. So, Liberation closing shouldn't have too much of an impact.

However, Giant getting as strong of buzz as it is and being extremely timely and relevant could end up leading to its win. But I'd still call Liberation the frontrunner at this point.

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 4:26pm

Broadway61004 said: "Smaxie said: "Closed or not, I think Liberation goes all the way this year."

For whatever reason, the Tonys have no problem rewarding plays or performances from plays that are already closed, just musicals. So, Liberation closing shouldn't have too much of an impact.

However, Giant getting as strong ofbuzz as it is and being extremely timely and relevant could end up leading to its win. But I'd still call Liberation the frontrunner at this point."

Liberation was not a hit on Broadway. It was a critically claimed industry darling that never caught fire. The play itself doesn’t carry the punch that Giant does. I’m hoping more competition shows up. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 4:31pm

I'll bet on Lindsay-Abair with The Balusters.

[DCS]

Posted: 3/14/26 at 8:46pm

KevinKlawitter said: "VernonGersch said: "is Every Brillant Thing eligible?"

I'm pretty sure that one is considered a revival"

I would agree... it's had several productions by several theatres. It's not really a new work. But it should be a revival contender and I think Radcliffe will be a Best Actor nominee, although Lithgow has to be considered the frontrunner at this point for Giant.