79th Annual Tony Award POC Winners
joshua henry
The 79th annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The awards ceremony was hosted by singer-songwriter P!NK, highlighting productions on Broadway during the 2025-2026 season. Leading the winners, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman took home six awards, while Ragtime, Schmigadoon!, and The Lost Boys followed with four trophies each.
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: Joshua Henry as Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ragtime
After four previous nominations, Joshua Henry won his first Tony Award for his performance as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime, marking his 11th Broadway appearance. His performance was praised for its emotional depth and powerful vocals, helping the production earn four awards during the evening.
Best Costume Design of a Musical: Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Qween Jean made history as the first openly transgender woman to win a Tony Award for the costume design in the musical, Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Her imaginative and colorful designs brought a fresh perspective to the classical musical, blending contemporary fashion with the spirit of the original production.
Best Sound Design of a Play: Mikaal Sulaiman, Death of a Salesman
Mikaal Sulaiman made history during the award ceremony as he became the first Black person to win a Tony Award in the sound design category. Throughout the production's run, Suliaman has enhanced the production’s emotional impact and helped immerse audiences in Willy Loman’s unraveling reality. His contribution was instrumental to the play’s success, ultimately leading the production to six Tony awards.
Best Choreography: Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, Cats: The Jellicle Ball
For Best Choreography, Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles were recognized for their work on Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Their choreography incorporated elements of ballroom culture into the production and was a key component of the show’s reimagined staging. The award recognized their contribution to the musical’s movement and dance sequences.