Tony Awards Nominations Snubs and Surprises: Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri-Led ‘Proof’ Shut Out as Lea Michele Misses Best Actress Nod

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While this year’s Tony Awards nominees are likely celebrating after nominations were revealed Tuesday morning, some of this year’s high-profile hopefuls missed out on expected nods.

In one of the most shocking moves, the starry revival of Proof, starring Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri and directed by Hamilton‘s Thomas Kail, was completely shut out of the 2026 Tony Awards nominations. The play received mixed to positive reviews, but it’s still a surprising turn for the well-selling revival, which is also the first time Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground attached its name to a theatrical project. Kara Young, a cast member in the play, was also thought to receive a possible nomination, making it her fifth Tony nomination in a row, breaking her own historic record.

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Another big surprise came as Lea Michele did not receive a Tony nomination for her role in Chess. While a possible nom was not assured, industry members had thought this could be her year, as Michele received acclaimed reviews for her previous Broadway role in Funny Girl, but was not eligible for a Tony Award because she replaced Beanie Feldstein in the role. Her Chess costars, Bryce Pinkham, Nicholas Christopher and Hannah Cruz all received nominations.

Beaches, The Musical was also entirely shut out of the Tony nominations, in a move that could mean an imminent closing notice for the show. While leads Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett received positive reviews, the show itself was not a hit with critics and has been struggling to connect with audiences, with the show playing to 64 percent capacity last week.

It came as less of a surprise that Queen of Versailles, the Kristin Chenoweth-led musical about the reality star who tries to build a dream home, did not receive any nominations, given its early closure in December. Overall, it was a slim year for musicals, as evidenced by the fact that two plays, Death of a Salesman and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, made it into the best score category.

The Fear of 13 received nominations for sound and lighting design, but did not receive a nom for the important best play award, nor did it receive nominations for its leads Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson. This is somewhat of a surprise as two-time Oscar winner Brody garnered an Laurence Olivier Award for best actor during the play’s West End run in 2024, but the production did go over as well with critics in the U.S.

Another starry show, Dog Day Afternoon also failed to nab nominations for its leads Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, but received scenic, costume and lighting nods. This show also received mixed reviews particularly in comparison to the film upon which its based. Overall, the Tony Awards were not as inclined to reward stars this year, with no nominations for Keanu Reeves in Waiting For Godot, Jean Smart in Call Me Izzy (though the timing of the play, last summer, also likely didn’t help its awards consideration) and for Bobby Cannavale, Neil Patrick Harris and James Corden in ART.

“Tempress” Chasity Moore’s name had been circulating among the industry as a possible Tony nom for her role as Grizabella in Cats: The Jellicle Ball, which reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical as part of the queer ballroom scene. As Grizabella, Moore has the standout song, “Memory,” among other key moments.

Among the positive surprises, Layton Williams, who plays, among other things, the iceberg in Titaníque, received a Tony nomination. While the character itself may be surprising, Williams also won the 2025 Olivier Award for best actor in a supporting role in a musical for his role as “Iceberg Girl,” in which he transforms into a Tina-Turner styled iceberg seeking vengeance on the ship and making passengers compete in a RuPaul-style Drag Race to survive.

June Squibb made history as the oldest Tony nominee, at age 96, garnering the honor for her featured role in the play for Marjorie Prime. Lois Smith previously held the record after becoming the oldest acting nominee at 89 for The Inheritance in 2020.Squibb’s costar, Broadway veteran Danny Burstein, also set a record as the most nominated-male actor in Tonys history, with nine nominations.

And Rose Byrne continues to have a great career-year, earning her first Tony nomination for her role in Fallen Angels, opposite fellow nominee Kelli O’Hara. This comes on the heels of her Oscar nomination, and Golden Globe win for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.

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• Tonys Awards 2026

  June Squibb Makes Tony History as Oldest Acting Nominee at 96