The 2026 Tony Awards are fast approaching… and by all accounts, it promises to be a spectacular spectacle of a ceremony… packed with song, stars, and surprises aplenty!! As folks are finalizing their ballots and planning out their party menus – and P!NK readies herself to take flight – we turn once again to our signature set of quirky questions.
Yes, while we could give you a rundown with predicated possibilities of what performances will bring the house down, or optimistic outcomes regarding what winners will take home a trophy, you may know we like to do it a little differently around here.
Having previously polled the industry insiders with coincidentally rhyming names, we this year turn toward the alphabet, going (quite literally) from A to Z. That’s right – this year’s lucky participant is bubbly Broadway alum Anna Zavelson, currently captivated by the “Angel of Music” as Christine Daaé in the West End’s The Phantom of the Opera, who divulges history and hot takes in equal parts, while dishing and dissecting Tony seasons past and present.
What theatrical event made her raise a glass this year? Who does she think should appear in the next Drowsy revival? Read on to find out and get yourself prepped for Broadway’s biggest night!!
What’s your all-time favorite Tony telecast memory and why?
I have the most vivid memories of watching the Gentleman’s Guide [to Love and Murder] performance on my TV in Austin [Texas] and just being obsessed with it.
If you were in a situation where you won a Tony, who are three people you’d definitely thank in your speech?
My family (Hmm.. is that cheating by grouping them together? Oh, well!), my reps, and my animals (who are arguably, of course, also family).
P!NK is hosting the ceremony for the first time this year, and she’s spoken about her excitement in taking on the challenge, despite initial nervousness… and never having appeared on Broadway. In that same vein, what’s something you’ve never done that you’d like to try for the first time, perhaps, like P!NK, despite nervousness?
Hmm… I’d love to do a show with some crazy acro/stunts! At one point in Phantom right now, I have to run up a ladder and walk across a moving bridge, like, 15 feet above the stage…. So, it’s kind of helped desensitize me to heights and now I’m ready to up the ante. (Laughs).
Given that P!NK comes to the Tonys from the pop world, what other pop artist’s “world” would YOU, as a member of the theatre community, like to step into and why?
I mean, I’d love to shoot a music video and have a pop princess alter ego. I LOVE Adéla and her vibe right now, so if I could just step into anybody’s world, I could only dream of emulating her aesthetic.
While not having appeared on Broadway as a performer, P!NK is represented on the Great Bright Way through her music, which can currently be heard in two shows. In the spirit of her “Broadway work,” what’s something this past season, either theatrical or not, that made you feel “F**kin’ Perfect” or that made you “Raise Your Glass”?
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL!!! It was truly fucking perfect and made me raise a glass.
What element or part of an awards show in general do you most look forward to? (In your opinion, an awards show isn’t complete without ______).
I think an awards show isn’t complete without a grand opening number. That’s what I look forward to, which is why I love the Tonys.
What’s one element you consider to be a staple of the Tonys show? In other words, what makes the Tonys the Tonys for you?
The generosity and the celebration of fellow performers! With the live performances, I feel like the Tonys showcases what makes Broadway so special. You can see the love and respect everyone in the theater has for one another.
If you were on the red carpet on Tony night, what must-have item would you bring and why?
Lip balm!! Because a look is never complete without.
Chess standout Lea Michele made headlines last month when theatrical hotspot Joe Allen debuted a new salad inspired by and named after her, and West Bank Café recently launched a new breakfast burrito in honor of The Lost Boys’ LJ Benet. What would a dish named after or inspired by you consist of?
Ooh... that’s a good one. The Anna Zavelson Protein Bowl would have literally everything a vegetarian could want: cabbage, tofu (properly marinated and fried), rice, edamame, kimchi, cucumbers, and a ton of spicy sauces.
With his ninth nomination for Marjorie Prime, Danny Burstein makes Tony history this year, becoming the most nominated male actor in the history of the awards. He won his Tony in 2020 for playing Zidler in Moulin Rouge!, a role which was recently portrayed by Megan Thee Stallion. Given his illustrious career, which of Burstein’s roles do you think Megan Thee Stallion should take on next and why?
Megan Thee Stallion as Aldolpho would make me buy a ticket ASAP.
In the spirit of nominee Titaníque, once and for all: could Jack have fit on the door with Rose?
I absolutely think Jack could have fit on that door. They needed to lock in.
What P!NK song or lyric do you think best describes this Broadway season, or your experience in the industry this season?
The song, “TRUSTFALL” is kind of the story of every performer’s life, I think. For me, there’s always uncertainty, but especially, this year, I’ve kind of just let myself go where I’m meant to be and everything has felt like a trustfall.
The 79th Annual Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall (1260 Avenue of the Americas), concurrently airing on CBS & Paramount Plus, on June 7th, 2026. For more information, please visit www.tonyawards.com.
