Katana VentraIP

Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical

The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical is awarded to the best actress in a musical, whether a new production or a revival. The award has been given since 1948, but the nominees who did not win have only been publicly announced since 1956.[1]

Tony Award for
Best Actress in a Musical

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

History[edit]

The award was not presented in 1947 or 1985.[2] Ken Mandelbaum wrote about the 1985 season: "Things get bad enough musically to require the elimination of the Best Musical Actor and Actress categories, as well as the choreography prize."[3] There have been three ties in this category, in 1958, 1962 and 1968.[4]


In 1965, Liza Minnelli, age 19, became the youngest actress to win the award, a record she still holds as of 2023. She is followed by Lea Salonga, age 20, in 1991. In 2017, Bette Midler, age 71, became the oldest actress to win the award, a record she still holds as of 2023. She is followed by Victoria Clark, age 63, in 2023.

from The King and I

Anna Leonowens

from Gypsy

Rose

Thelma Ritter and Gwen Verdon (tie)

New Girl in Town

Susan Browning and Elaine Stritch

Company

Dorothy Collins and Alexis Smith

Follies

Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon

Chicago

Jennifer Holliday and Sheryl Lee Ralph

Dreamgirls

Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera

The Rink

Ruth Brown and Linda Hopkins

Black and Blue

Josie de Guzman and Faith Prince

Guys and Dolls

Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone

War Paint

Caitlin Kinnunen and Beth Leavel

The Prom

Winners are in boldface

Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play

Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play

Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical

List of Tony Award-nominated productions

Internet Broadway Database Awards Archive

Official Tony Awards Website Archive