Hamilton native Caissie Levy was among the standout winners at Sunday night’s Tony Awards, earning the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Mother in the revival of Ragtime.
Accepting the award at Radio City Music Hall, Levy reflected on her Canadian roots and paid tribute to the people who helped shape her career.
“I grew up in Canada, watching the Tonys and dreaming of a life on Broadway,” she said.
Looking back on her two decades in theatre, she emphasized the importance of support and collaboration.
“I’m 20 years in, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that no one does it alone. My parents, Mark and Lisa Levy, who are here tonight, I love you so much. Thank you for teaching me by example, how to be a good person and a team player.”
Levy also acknowledged those who have helped her balance her professional and personal life, thanking “every babysitter who’s made it possible for me to be both a Broadway actor and a mother.”
She was one of several Canadians recognized at the 79th annual Tony Awards. Winnipeg-born Joshua Henry, a four-time nominee, secured his first Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime.
Canadian television legend Lorne Michaels also celebrated a milestone, winning his first Tony Award as a producer of Schmigadoon!, the stage adaptation of the Apple TV series. The production claimed the award for Best New Musical.
“Sometimes singing, dancing, jokes and a happy ending are all you need,” said Michaels.
Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul was also honoured for both the show’s score and book.
The award for Best New Play went to Liberation by Bess Wohl. Set in 1970s Ohio, the play follows a women’s consciousness-raising group and explores themes including misogyny, racism, and traditional gender expectations. Earlier this year, the production also earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Wohl became only the fourth woman to win the Tony Award for Best Play, joining Wendy Wasserstein, Yasmina Reza, and Frances Goodrich.
“I want to honour women everywhere who have the courage to use their voice,” said Wohl, who thanked her mom, daughters and female producers. “And to all the girls out there: May you speak your truth, and may the world be wise enough to listen.”
Meanwhile, Death of a Salesman won Best Revival of a Play. Arthur Miller’s classic exploration of the American Dream’s collapse added four more Tony Awards to its collection, including acting honours for Laurie Metcalf and directing recognition for Joe Mantello. The production also won awards for lighting, scenic design, and sound design.
Historic Wins and Celebrated Performances
Ragtime, a sweeping musical that examines an America transformed by immigration, racial tensions, industrial growth, and political upheaval, won Best Revival of a Musical.
Veteran actor John Lithgow earned his third Tony Award, winning Best Leading Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in Giant. At age 80, Lithgow became the oldest man ever to receive a competitive acting Tony.
“Two Tony bookends with 53 years between them,” said Lithgow. “In those years, I have worked with hundreds of just fantastic theatre artists. I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic moments on the stage, but I have to tell you right now, this moment has got to be one of the best.”
Shoshana Bean, honoured as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for The Lost Boys, dedicated her award to mothers, especially those raising children on their own.
“This is for the mamas. This is for the single mamas. This is for my single mama. You are the wild heroes. This is for the incredible army of women that surround and uplift me,” she said.
Another notable winner was Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a reimagining of the classic musical through the lens of queer ballroom culture. Directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch won Best Direction of a Musical.
“We honour the Black and brown trans women and gay men who were ballroom’s pioneers, as well as today’s icons, and our cast of astonishing triple-threats, including people from their 20s to their 80s, and every decade in between,” Levingston said.
Lesley Manville also took home a major award, winning Best Leading Actress in a Play for her Broadway debut in a contemporary adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus.
Pink Brings Energy and Humour as Host
The evening’s host, Pink, opened the ceremony with a dramatic entrance, spinning through the air before hanging from a harness above the stage in a Peter Pan-inspired costume. Former Tony host Neil Patrick Harris soon appeared to encourage her to embrace her own style.
“You’re Pink, Pink. You can do anything,” he told her.
After playfully lifting Harris off the stage with her legs, Pink switched gears, donning a top hat and launching into a spirited performance of Lady Marmalade alongside numerous performers, including Lea Michele and Megan Thee Stallion.
Throughout the night, Pink maintained a lively and approachable presence, appearing in several costume changes and poking fun at herself before delivering a powerful rendition of All That Jazz during Chicago’s 30th-anniversary celebration.
The ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment featured Leslie Odom Jr. performing Without You from Rent, honouring industry figures who passed away, including Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and playwright Tom Stoppard. Rachel Zegler followed with a memorable performance of What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line, marking the musical’s 50th anniversary.
The night also included a reunion of the original principal cast of The Book of Mormon. Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Rory O’Malley, and Nikki M. James returned to celebrate the production’s 15th anniversary, delighting theatre fans with a nostalgic performance.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca