Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play

American theatre award for Broadway play directors From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play has been given since 1960. Before 1960 there was only one award for both play direction and musical direction, then in 1960 the award was split into two categories: Dramatic and Musical. In 1976 the Dramatic category was renamed to Play. For pre-1960 direction awards please reference Tony Award for Best Director.

Awarded forBest Direction of a Play
LocationNew York City
Presented byAmerican Theatre Wing The Broadway League
Currently held bySam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary! (2025)
Quick facts Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, Awarded for ...
Tony Award for
Best Direction of a Play
Awarded forBest Direction of a Play
LocationNew York City
Presented byAmerican Theatre Wing The Broadway League
Currently held bySam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary! (2025)
WebsiteTonyAwards.com
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Winners and nominees

  indicates the winner

1960s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
1960
(14th)
[1]
The Miracle Worker Arthur Penn
The Best Man Joseph Anthony
A Raisin in the Sun Lloyd Richards
Sweet Bird of Youth Elia Kazan
The Tenth Man Tyrone Guthrie
1961
(15th)
[2]
Big Fish, Little Fish John Gielgud
All the Way Home Arthur Penn
The Hostage Joan Littlewood
Rhinoceros Joseph Anthony
1962
(16th)
[3]
A Man for All Seasons Noel Willman
The Caretaker Donald McWhinnie
Gideon Tyrone Guthrie
Great Day in the Morning José Quintero
1963
(17th)
[4]
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Alan Schneider
Never Too Late George Abbott
The School for Scandal John Gielgud
Tchin-Tchin Peter Glenville
1964
(18th)
[5]
Barefoot in the Park Mike Nichols
The Ballad of the Sad Café Alan Schneider
The Deputy Herman Shumlin
Marathon '33 June Havoc
1965
(19th)
[6]
Luv Mike Nichols
The Odd Couple
The Subject Was Roses Ulu Grosbard
Tartuffe William Ball
Tiny Alice Alan Schneider
1966
(20th)
[7]
Marat/Sade Peter Brook
The Lion in Winter Noel Willman
Philadelphia, Here I Come! Hilton Edwards
You Can't Take It with You Ellis Rabb
1967
(21st)
[8]
The Homecoming Peter Hall
Black Comedy John Dexter
A Delicate Balance Alan Schneider
Marat/Sade Donald Driver
1968
(22nd)
[9]
Plaza Suite Mike Nichols
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Michael Blakemore
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Derek Goldby
You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running Alan Schneider
1969
(23rd)
[10]
Hadrian VII Peter Dews
Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? Michael A. Schultz
The Man in the Glass Booth Harold Pinter
Play It Again, Sam Joseph Hardy
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1970s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
1970
(24th)
[11]
Child's Play Joseph Hardy
Borstal Boy Tómas Mac Anna
Butterflies Are Free Milton Katselas
Last of the Red Hot Lovers Robert Moore
1971
(25th)
[12]
A Midsummer Night's Dream Peter Brook
Home Lindsay Anderson
The School for Wives Stephen Porter
Sleuth Clifford Williams
1972
(26th)
[13]
The Prisoner of Second Avenue Mike Nichols
Old Times Peter Hall
Sticks and Bones Jeff Bleckner
The Trial of the Catsville Nine Gordon Davidson
1973
(27th)
[14]
That Championship Season A. J. Antoon
The Changing Room Michael Rudman
Much Ado About Nothing A. J. Antoon
The Sunshine Boys Alan Arkin
1974
(28th)
[15]
A Moon for the Misbegotten José Quintero
Chemin de Fer Stephen Porter
Find Your Way Home Edwin Sherin
Ulysses in Nighttown Burgess Meredith
Uncle Vanya Mike Nichols
1975
(29th)
[16]
Equus John Dexter
London Assurance Ronald Eyre
The National Health Arvin Brown
Same Time, Next Year Gene Saks
Scapino Frank Dunlop
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and The Island Athol Fugard
1976
(30th)
[17]
The Royal Family Ellis Rabb
Ah, Wilderness! Arvin Brown
Knock Knock Marshall W. Mason
Travesties Peter Wood
1977
(31st)
[18]
The Shadow Box Gordon Davidson
American Buffalo Ulu Grosbard
Comedians Mike Nichols
Streamers
1978
(32nd)
[19]
Da Melvin Bernhardt
Deathtrap Robert Moore
Dracula Dennis Rosa
The Gin Game Mike Nichols
1979
(33rd)
[20]
The Elephant Man Jack Hofsiss
Bedroom Farce Alan Ayckbourn and Peter Hall
The Crucifer of Blood Paul Giovanni
Whose Life Is It Anyway? Michael Lindsay-Hogg
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1980s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
1980
(34th)
[21]
Morning's at Seven Vivian Matalon
Betrayal Peter Hall
Children of a Lesser God Gordon Davidson
Talley's Folly Marshall W. Mason
1981
(35th)
[22]
Amadeus Peter Hall
Fifth of July Marshall W. Mason
A Life Peter Coe
The Little Foxes Austin Pendleton
1982
(36th)
[23]
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby John Caird and Trevor Nunn
Crimes of the Heart Melvin Bernhardt
Mass Appeal Geraldine Fitzgerald
"Master Harold"...and the Boys Athol Fugard
1983
(37th)
[24]
Brighton Beach Memoirs Gene Saks
All's Well That Ends Well Trevor Nunn
Angels Fall Marshall W. Mason
'Night, Mother Tom Moore
1984
(38th)
[25]
The Real Thing Mike Nichols
Glengarry Glen Ross Gregory Mosher
A Moon for the Misbegotten David Leveaux
Noises Off Michael Blakemore
1985
(39th)
[26]
Biloxi Blues Gene Saks
As Is Marshall W. Mason
Much Ado About Nothing Terry Hands
Strange Interlude Keith Hack
1986
(40th)
[27]
The House of Blue Leaves Jerry Zaks
The Iceman Cometh José Quintero
Long Day's Journey Into Night Jonathan Miller
Loot John Tillinger
1987
(41st)
[28]
Fences Lloyd Richards
Asinamali! Mbongeni Ngema
Coastal Disturbances Carole Rothman
Les Liaisons Dangereuses Howard Davies
1988
(42nd)
[29]
M. Butterfly John Dexter
Breaking the Code Clifford Williams
Joe Turner's Come and Gone Lloyd Richards
Speed-the-Plow Gregory Mosher
1989
(43rd)
[30]
Lend Me a Tenor Jerry Zaks
The Heidi Chronicles Daniel J. Sullivan
Largely New York Bill Irwin
Our Town Gregory Mosher
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1990s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
1990
(44th)
[31]
The Grapes of Wrath Frank Galati
Lettice and Lovage Michael Blakemore
The Merchant of Venice Peter Hall
The Piano Lesson Lloyd Richards
1991
(45th)
[32]
Six Degrees of Separation Jerry Zaks
La Bête Richard Jones
Lost in Yonkers Gene Saks
Our Country's Good Mark Lamos
1992
(46th)
[33]
Dancing at Lughnasa Patrick Mason
Conversations with My Father Daniel J. Sullivan
Four Baboons Adoring the Sun Peter Hall
Two Shakespearean Actors Jack O'Brien
1993
(47th)
[34]
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches George C. Wolfe
Anna Christie David Leveaux
The Sisters Rosensweig Daniel J. Sullivan
The Song of Jacob Zulu Eric Simonson
1994
(48th)
[35]
An Inspector Calls Stephen Daldry
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Gerald Gutierrez
Angels in America: Perestroika George C. Wolfe
Timon of Athens Michael Langham
1995
(49th)
[36]
The Heiress Gerald Gutierrez
Having Our Say Emily Mann
Indiscretions Sean Mathias
Love! Valour! Compassion! Joe Mantello
1996
(50th)
[37]
A Delicate Balance Gerald Gutierrez
Buried Child Gary Sinise
An Ideal Husband Peter Hall
Seven Guitars Lloyd Richards
1997
(51st)
[38]
A Doll's House Anthony Page
The Gin Game Charles Nelson Reilly
Skylight Richard Eyre
Stanley John Caird
1998
(52nd)
[39]
The Beauty Queen of Leenane Garry Hynes
'Art' Matthew Warchus
The Chairs Simon McBurney
A View from the Bridge Michael Mayer
1999
(53rd)
[40]
Death of a Salesman Robert Falls
The Iceman Cometh Howard Davies
The Lonesome West Garry Hynes
Not About Nightingales Trevor Nunn
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2000s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
2000
(54th)
[41]
Copenhagen Michael Blakemore
Dirty Blonde James Lapine
The Real Thing David Leveaux
True West Matthew Warchus
2001
(55th)
[42]
Proof Daniel J. Sullivan
The Invention of Love Jack O'Brien
King Hedley II Marion McClinton
Stones in His Pockets Ian McElhinney
2002
(56th)
[43]
Metamorphoses Mary Zimmerman
The Crucible Richard Eyre
Morning's at Seven Daniel J. Sullivan
Private Lives Howard Davies
2003
(57th)
[44]
Take Me Out Joe Mantello
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Laurence Boswell
Long Day's Journey Into Night Robert Falls
Medea Deborah Warner
2004
(58th)
[45]
Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2 Jack O'Brien
Frozen Doug Hughes
I Am My Own Wife Moises Kaufman
Jumpers David Leveaux
2005
(59th)
[46]
Doubt Doug Hughes
Glengarry Glen Ross Joe Mantello
The Pillowman John Crowley
Twelve Angry Men Scott Ellis
2006
(60th)
[47]
The History Boys Nicholas Hytner
Awake and Sing! Bartlett Sher
The Lieutenant of Inishmore Wilson Milam
Rabbit Hole Daniel J. Sullivan
2007
(61st)
[48]
The Coast of Utopia Jack O'Brien
Coram Boy Melly Still
Frost/Nixon Michael Grandage
Journey's End David Grindley
2008
(62nd)
[49]
August: Osage County Anna D. Shapiro
Boeing Boeing Matthew Warchus
The Seafarer Conor McPherson
The 39 Steps Maria Aitken
2009
(63rd)
[50]
God of Carnage Matthew Warchus
Joe Turner's Come and Gone Bartlett Sher
Mary Stuart Phyllida Lloyd
The Norman Conquests Matthew Warchus
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2010s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
2010
(64th)
[51]
Red Michael Grandage
Fences Kenny Leon
Next Fall Sheryl Kaller
A View from the Bridge Gregory Mosher
2011
(65th)
[52]
War Horse Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris
The Merchant of Venice Daniel J. Sullivan
The Motherfucker with the Hat Anna D. Shapiro
The Normal Heart Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe
2012
(66th)
[53]
Death of a Salesman Mike Nichols
Clybourne Park Pam MacKinnon
One Man, Two Guvnors Nicholas Hytner
Peter and the Starcatcher Roger Rees and Alex Timbers
2013
(67th)
[54]
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Pam MacKinnon
Golden Boy Bartlett Sher
Lucky Guy George C. Wolfe
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Nicholas Martin
2014
(68th)
[55]
A Raisin in the Sun Kenny Leon
The Cripple of Inishmaan Michael Grandage
The Glass Menagerie John Tiffany
Twelfth Night Tim Carroll
2015
(69th)
[56]
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Marianne Elliott
Hand to God Moritz von Stuelpnagel
Skylight Stephen Daldry
Wolf Hall Parts One & Two Jeremy Herrin
You Can't Take It with You Scott Ellis
2016
(70th)
[57]
A View from the Bridge Ivo van Hove
Eclipsed Liesl Tommy
The Humans Joe Mantello
King Charles III Rupert Goold
Long Day's Journey into Night Jonathan Kent
2017
(71st)
[58]
Indecent Rebecca Taichman
A Doll's House, Part 2 Sam Gold
Jitney Ruben Santiago-Hudson
The Little Foxes Daniel J. Sullivan
Oslo Bartlett Sher
2018
(72nd)
[59]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child John Tiffany
Angels in America Marianne Elliott
The Iceman Cometh George C. Wolfe
Three Tall Women Joe Mantello
Travesties Patrick Marber
2019
(73rd)
[60]
The Ferryman Sam Mendes
Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus George C. Wolfe
Ink Rupert Goold
Network Ivo van Hove
To Kill a Mockingbird Bartlett Sher
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2020s

More information Year, Production ...
Year Production Director
2020
(74th)
[61]
The Inheritance Stephen Daldry
Betrayal Jamie Lloyd
Slave Play Robert O'Hara
A Soldier's Play Kenny Leon
The Sound Inside David Cromer
2022
(75th)
[62]
The Lehman Trilogy Sam Mendes
American Buffalo Neil Pepe
Dana H. Les Waters
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Camille A. Brown
The Skin of Our Teeth Lileana Blain-Cruz
2023
(76th)
[63]
Leopoldstadt Patrick Marber
Ain't No Mo' Stevie Walker-Webb
Cost of Living Jo Bonney
A Doll's House Jamie Lloyd
Fat Ham Saheem Ali
Life of Pi Max Webster
2024
(77th)
[64]
Stereophonic Daniel Aukin
Appropriate Lila Neugebauer
Jaja's African Hair Braiding Whitney White
Mary Jane Anne Kauffman
Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch Kenny Leon
2025
(78th)
Oh, Mary! Sam Pinkleton
English Knud Adams
The Hills of California Sam Mendes
John Proctor Is the Villain Danya Taymor
The Picture of Dorian Gray Kip Williams
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Multiple wins

Multiple nominations

Female winners

Only 6 women have won this award:[65]

See also

References

External links

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