Tonys Eligibility Set for Carrie Coon, Oedipus, Chess, Bug and More

Variety

by Clayton Davis

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has finalized eligibility rulings for five Broadway productions competing in the 2025-26 season, setting the stage for key categories at the 79th annual ceremony. Among the decisions, "Oedipus" and "Bug" will be eligible for Best Revival of a Play, with Robert Icke and Tracy Letts respectively recognized as authors. "Chess," a new musical adaptation, received multiple nods, including Danny Strong for Best Book of a Musical, David Rockwell and Peter Nigrini for Best Scenic Design, and Brian Usifer for Best Orchestrations. The committee also confirmed Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty’s eligibility in lead acting categories for "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)," while Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood will compete in play categories for "Bug." The decisions were made during the Committee’s meeting on Thursday, with all other eligibilities aligned with each production’s opening night credits. The 2025-26 Broadway season eligibility cutoff is April 26, with nominations announced May 5. The Tony Awards ceremony will air live nationwide on CBS and stream on Paramount+. This year’s rulings highlight the growing excitement around new adaptations like "Chess" and revivals such as "Oedipus" and "Bug," which have garnered critical acclaim for their creative teams. These decisions matter to entertainment enthusiasts as they reflect the evolving landscape of Broadway, showcasing both fresh interpretations of classic works and innovative new productions. The eligibility rulings also underscore the importance of recognizing diverse talent across categories

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Originally published on Variety on 2/19/2026