Lead Actress in a Musical 2026 — Page 4

Merkin2 said: "It obviously didn’t hurt Nicole Scherzinger last year given the fact that GlennClose was the greatest Norma Desmond, and she had done it only a few years earlier to love letter reviews. Caissie Levy will not be nominated because she never is because she’s not great. Kristin, Marla Mindelle, Pitts, the two ladies from beaches."

You are very sad.

binau said: "What is wrong with you? This is not acceptable behaviour. If you disagree with the characterisation of who conceived the show you can challenge politely on this. The poster clearly is just a fan of the show, concept and direction yet you turn it into a vicious, juvenile attack."

Agreed! Totally inappropriate on this board! Be respectful! There are ways of saying things that one can disagree with without name calling!

Merkin2 said: "It obviously didn’t hurt Nicole Scherzinger last year given the fact that GlennClose was the greatest Norma Desmond, and she had done it only a few years earlier to love letter reviews. Caissie Levy will not be nominated because she never is because she’s not great. Kristin, Marla Mindelle, Pitts, the two ladies from beaches."

I don’t even think YOU believe this BS you keep spouting.

In my latest piece for Gold Derby, I dig into how this year's Best Actress in a Musical lineup could consist of all first-time Tony nominees for the first time since 2002.
https://www.goldderby.com/theater/2026/best-actress-in-a-musical-all-first-time-tony-nominees/

OhHiii said: "Cassie Levy can clear space on her mantle today for this award."

She missed out on an OCC nom, which makes me wonder if she will miss out on a drama desk nom due to these genderless categories. Would that hurt her chances at a Tony?

goodtimes123 said: "OhHiii said: "Cassie Levy can clear space on her mantle today for this award."

She missed out on an OCC nom, which makes me wonder if she will miss out on a drama desk nom due to these genderless categories. Would that hurt her chances at a Tony?"

Not necessarily. There have been several performances that managed to win Tonys without prior nominations from at least one of the precursors. Among those who've managed to do since they both established gender neutral acting categories:

Francis Jue for Yellow Face last year - won the Outer Critics Circle, but snubbed by the Drama Desk.

Will Brill for Stereophonic in 2024 - wasn't nominated by Outer Critics Circle nor Drama Desk.

Maleah Joi Moon for Hell's Kitchen in 2024 - won the Drama Desk (with both of the stars of Days of Wine and Roses), but wasn't nominated by the Outer Critics Circle.

Jeremy Strong for An Enemy of the People in 2024 - was nominated by the Outer Critics Circle, but not the Drama Desk.

Miriam Silverman for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window in 2023 - won the Drama Desk (with Brandon Uranowitz for Leopoldstadt), but wasn't recognized by the Outer Critics Circle.

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 03:08 PM

I think the final 5 are:



Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Lea Michele, Chess

Sara Pitt, Two Strangers

Marla Mindelle, Titanique



Those are the other contenders, right?

- Christine Sherrill, Mamma Mia!

- Kristin Chenoweth, The Queen of Versailles

- Jessica Vosk, Beaches

- Kelli Barrett, Beaches



Both Shoshana and Hsu are likely featured, right? It will be exactly 9 contenders for 5 slots.

I think the final 5 are:

Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Lea Michele, Chess

Christiani Pitts, Two Strangers

Marla Mindelle, Titanique

I agree with this list. The committee doesn't seem to like Caissie for some reason, and while her performance is strong, I thought others were better.

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 03:49 PM

MadsonMelo said: "I think the final 5 are:



Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Lea Michele, Chess

Sara Pitt, Two Strangers

Marla Mindelle, Titanique"



Don't you mean Christiani Pitts for "Two Strangers'

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 04:24 PM

MyMotherIsGeorgeWashington said: "Schmigadoon is a comedy; Ragtime obviously is not. Melissa can't be a role that is "as challenging or emotional as Mother." But her role does a lot of the comedic heavy lifting in Schmigadoon and I think that is just as valuable as Caissie being one of the emotional centers in Ragtime.

It's time were people give credit where credit is due for comedy. A comedy performance can be as impressive if not more as a dramatic role. It takes a lot to be as funny as Sara is as Melissa."

I don't disagree, but comedy roles usually aren't favored at the Tonys.

goodtimes123 said: "MadsonMelo said: "Most importantly: can Sara Chase upset her?"

I didn't even have Sara on my list of noms, so that would be shocking to me. The role is just nowhere as challenging or emotional as Mother.

My predix:



Levy

Mindelle

Michelle

Pitts

Vosk"

Michele. One L. and Lea without a H. its not hard. its right there on the playbill and on the Imperial theatre.

Pedantic yes, but as someone who has both names constantly misspelled by people even replying to emails when my name is right there, this sort of thing is annoying.

back on topic, I do agree with this list.

Updated On: 4/22/26 at 06:56 PM

theatrekid3302 said: "When you have a performance as emotionally rich, layered, and fully realized as Cassie Levy’s in Ragtime, it’s hard to take the idea of this being a close race seriously. Thisshouldn’t even be a competitive category.

I haven’t seen Cats: The Jellicle Ball yet, so I can’t fully judge it, but I’ve never really liked Cats to begin with and don’t plan on seeing it because I’ve just never liked Cats. There really is no story and lacks the emotional depth that Ragtime has. Ragtime was simply breathtaking with the soaring vocals, full orchestrations. It had a level of sophistication and class that you rarely see on Broadway today. I really hope it takes the Tony."

Ragtime is the same rich greatness it was 25 plus years ago. Nothing about this production is original - though the performances are great. Cats flipped what was on its head completely. It deserves to win.