The 79th Tony Awards on CBS were an exhilarating evening of live theater, passionate speeches, and unforgettable tributes.
Death of a Salesman dominated with six Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Director.
John Lithgow made history as the oldest competitive Tony winner at age 80 for his performance in Giant.
In a season with only six new musicals, the awards were spread across multiple shows — a reflection of the field’s depth.
As someone who loves live theater, I find that nights like this remind me why community theater in Birmingham, Alabama matters so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s 79th Annual Tony Awards on CBS. PINK was a fabulous host, bringing real energy to Broadway’s biggest night. While there weren’t many big surprises in terms of winners, there were many memorable moments. From PINK’s aerial entrance as Peter Pan to starry tributes to The Book of Mormon and Chicago, the evening soared. Passionate speeches about trans and immigrant rights — and the enduring power of theatre — made it truly exhilarating. As someone who works in live theater in Birmingham, Alabama every day, I felt every word.
The Play Side: Death of a Salesman and a Season of Standouts
On the play side, Death of a Salesman was the big winner of the evening. It snagged six Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play. Joe Mantello took home Best Director of a Play for his powerful staging. Laurie Metcalf won Best Featured Actress in a Play for her remarkable performance. This was one of my favorites on my recent trip to New York City. Seeing it on Broadway only deepened my appreciation for the enduring power of live performances.
Death of a Salesman – Courtesy New York Theater Guide
Bess Wohl’s Liberation, which recently won the Pulitzer Prize, was named Best Play. That recognition is extraordinary — a testament to the strength of new American playwriting. John Lithgow took home Best Actor in a Play for his turn as Roald Dahl in Giant. Giant was another of my favorites from my NYC trip. Lithgow made history as the oldest actor to win a competitive Tony race at age 80. That kind of milestone resonates with anyone who believes in the lifelong power of live theater.
UK stage star Lesley Manville won for her searing performance in Oedipus. Inexplicably, this was her Broadway debut. Her win was one of the most electric moments of the night. It’s the kind of performance that reminds audiences why live theater cannot be replicated on screen. Birmingham theater fans who haven’t made a trip to Broadway should add it to their list.
Giant – Courtesy New York Theater Guide
A Notably Tight Musical Season — and How the Awards Reflected It
This was a notoriously tight season for musicals. There were only six new shows and five revivals — and not all were nominated. The Tony voters responded by spreading the love generously across the field. Schmigadoon!, Ragtime, and The Lost Boys each snagged four awards. CATS: The Jellicle Ball earned three. It was a clear signal: when no single show dominates, the voters celebrate the season’s breadth.
For those of us in community theater, a season like this carries a meaningful lesson. It’s not always about one blockbuster. Sometimes the most vibrant performing arts seasons are the ones where many productions shine. That spirit is at the heart of what we do at Central Alabama Theater in Birmingham, Alabama. Every production we bring to our community deserves that same care and recognition.
Tony Awards by Show: A Season Summary
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top winners from this year’s ceremony:
Death of a Salesman — 6 Tony Awards
The Lost Boys — 4 Tony Awards
Ragtime — 4 Tony Awards
Schmigadoon! — 4 Tony Awards
CATS: The Jellicle Ball — 3 Tony Awards
Becky Shaw — 1 Tony Award
Fallen Angels — 1 Tony Award
Giant — 1 Tony Award
Liberation — 1 Tony Award
Oedipus — 1 Tony Award
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Why Nights Like This Matter to Community Theater in Birmingham
I always come away from the Tonys inspired. The speeches remind me why live theater exists in the first place. It’s not just entertainment — it’s community, identity, and human connection. Those same values drive everything we do at Central Alabama Theater. Whether it’s a CAT Cabaret night in Mountain Brook or a full production at the Fultondale Event Center, the mission is the same. We bring live performances to the people of Birmingham, Alabama who love theater.
Moments like John Lithgow’s historic win remind us that theater belongs to everyone. It belongs to seasoned veterans and first-timers alike. It belongs to the audience member seeing their first play at 8 and the one returning at 80. Community theater in Birmingham, Alabama is part of that same continuum. We may not have the budget of a Broadway production, but we have heart, craft, and community. And on nights like the Tony Awards, the whole world is reminded of what that means.
If you’ve never attended a live performance in the Birmingham area, now is the time. The 79th Tonys showcased the best of what live theater can be. Central Alabama Theater is your local front door to that world. Come see what Birmingham’s community theater scene has to offer. I promise the experience will stay with you long after the curtain falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What show won the most Tony Awards at the 79th Annual Tony Awards?
Death of a Salesman led the evening with six Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Director, and Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Who hosted the 79th Tony Awards?
PINK hosted the 79th Annual Tony Awards on CBS. She made a memorable aerial entrance as Peter Pan during the opening of the broadcast.
What historic record did John Lithgow set at the 2026 Tony Awards?
John Lithgow made history as the oldest actor to win a competitive Tony Award at age 80, for his performance as Roald Dahl in Giant.
Why are the Tony Awards important to community theater?
The Tony Awards celebrate the best of live theater on Broadway and inspire community theater organizations across the country. They remind audiences everywhere of the unique power of live performances and the artists who dedicate their lives to the stage.
Carl Peoples strives to keep our Birmingham audiences connected to the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway.
As Executive Artistic Director of Central Alabama Theater, Carl studies top productions to shape live theater in Birmingham, AL.
At CAT, Carl champions thought-provoking, story-driven community theater across the Magic City and North Jefferson County.
Birmingham theatergoers can enjoy affordable, world-class, inspired performances close to home.
Great live theater in Birmingham, AL, starts with great inspiration. For me, that inspiration often comes from the brightest stages in New York City. I recently spent a week immersed in Broadway and Off-Broadway. I returned to the Magic City with fresh ideas and renewed passion. The trip reminded me of what makes Central Alabama Theater special. I get to bring world-class theatrical thinking home to our Birmingham audiences.
Why Broadway Trips Matter for Birmingham Community Theater
Staying current is a core part of leading a community theater. I study what is hot on Broadway and Off-Broadway for a reason. The best ideas travel. Productions, performances, and direction all spark new creative choices. Those choices, in turn, shape the plays and musicals you see at CAT. This is how community theater in Birmingham, Alabama, stays vibrant and relevant. My recent trip began with a proud personal milestone. My goddaughter, Lily, graduated from Parsons School of Design. Her degree in Design and Technology marked the heart of the visit. I could not be prouder of the young lady she has become. After the celebration, a week of meetings and shows followed.
A Powerhouse Play: GIANT at the Music Box Theater
I opened my theatrical week with the play GIANT, starring John Lithgow. The production runs at the Music Box Theater. It is playwright Mark Rosenblatt’s first play. I found the writing extraordinary. I rank Lithgow’s performance among my top three of all time. The play earned four TONY Award nominations for good reason. Time is short, though. GIANT is scheduled to close on June 28th. Stories like this one fuel the ambitious programming I bring to Central Alabama Theater. Strong writing always comes first.
Courtesy New York Theater Guide
A Freaky Good Time: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Next came THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Studio 54 Theater. Luke Evans starred as Frank-N-Furter. I grew up with the film and have seen it over 60 times. This was my first live stage version. The experience was a fun and electrifying ride. Rachel Dratch shone as the Narrator. Andrew Durand played Brad with an energy I loved. The show even nodded to DEAD OUTLAW, which made me smile. For a freaky good time, this production is a must-see. That sense of joy is exactly what live performances in Birmingham, AL should deliver.
Theatre as a Conversation Starter: DEATH OF A SALESMAN
I then returned to drama with Arthur Miller’s DEATH OF A SALESMAN. The cast features Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott, and Ben Ahlers. It plays at the Winter Garden Theater. I admit I doubted the casting of Nathan Lane as Willy Loman. I was wrong. Many called it Lane’s career-crowning performance. I agree completely. Lane became Willy Loman before my eyes. The other three leads delivered incredible work, too. For me, director Joe Mantello was the true star. His attention to every nuance was spot on. This is what I believe theatre should be. It should be thought-provoking and a conversation starter. The show closes August 9th, 2026, so plan ahead. That same philosophy drives the plays I produce at CAT in Birmingham.
Courtesy New York Theater Guide
Spectacle and Story: THE GREAT GATSBY
The big, robust musical THE GREAT GATSBY came next. This show has been open for a while now. I knew several people in the cast and crew. I wanted to see it and show my support. The production was a true spectacle. Beautiful sets and costumes filled the stage. The choreography impressed me as well. A real car was even driven onstage several times. For me, the story always matters most. As I like to say, if it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage. I lost the thread of feeling once or twice. Even so, a great backstage tour made it a memorable night. This story-first standard guides every musical I bring to Central Alabama Theater.
Bold Reimagining: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
I then experienced CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL. This bold reimagining reworks Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS. It is set within vibrant Harlem ballroom culture. The show leans into vogue-heavy celebration and party energy. I admit I am a bit of a purist. The disjointed storyline was hard for me to follow. I also know I am not the target market for this one. Still, the production delivered serious fun. The dancing was electrifying and full of life. The costumes were breathtaking to behold. It was a true feel-good show. Reimaginings like this remind me of the creative possibilities of community theater.
Courtesy of The New York Theater Guide
Heart and Humor Off Broadway: SPELLING BEE
My final show was Off-Broadway at New World Stages. The 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE took the stage. It starred Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men. Jasmine Amy Rogers of Boop! joined the cast. I love this musical dearly. It feels current and relatable without being heavy-handed. I laughed, I cried, and I sang along. The run has been extended through September 6th. You can still go and sing along too. Intimate, joyful shows like this echo the spirit of CAT Cabaret.
Bringing the Magic City Its Own Live Theater
My trip ended with productive meetings and time with close friends. More than that, it left me inspired. I returned to Birmingham ready to start more conversations. I want to keep producing thought-provoking theater right here. That mission defines performing arts in Birmingham at CAT. You do not have to travel to New York for meaningful live theater. At Central Alabama Theater, our team works to bring that spirit to the Magic City. We serve audiences across Birmingham and North Jefferson County. We offer accessible, story-driven community theater you can call your own. Here’s to hoping we’ll see you at the theater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Central Alabama Theater?
Central Alabama Theater, or CAT, is a community theater company serving Birmingham, Alabama. They present plays, musicals, and the popular CAT Cabaret series.
Who is the Executive Artistic Director of Central Alabama Theater?
Carl Peoples is the Executive Artistic Director of CAT. He studies Broadway and Off-Broadway productions to shape live theater in Birmingham, AL.
Where does Central Alabama Theater perform?
We serve audiences across the Birmingham metro area. CAT is based in Mountain Brook with select performances in Fultondale and North Jefferson County.
Why does CAT’s director travel to see Broadway shows?
Studying top productions keeps our programming fresh and relevant. These trips inspire the thought-provoking community theater Birmingham audiences enjoy.
How can I see live theater in Birmingham, AL?
Visit centralalabamatheater.org to explore upcoming shows and buy tickets. We offer affordable, world-class, inspired live performances close to home.
