Actors Ali Louis Bourzgui and Shoshana Bean won individual Tony Awards on June 8, 2026, for their performances in the musical adaptation of the 1987 film The Lost Boys at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.
Bourzgui secured his first Tony Award for playing the lead vampire character, David, in the Michael Arden-directed production.
>>> Ali Louis Bourzgui Wins 2026 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical
During his acceptance speech, the Moroccan-American actor highlighted the immigrant, queer, and trans communities alongside Palestinian people.
"This is dedicated to the beautiful tapestry of immigrant families who make this country really special—may you one day not have to audition for the empathy that should be freely given by this country that benefits from your beauty, for the queer and trans communities who have and always will exist, no matter what people in power try to take away from them," said Bourzgui.
The actor previously appeared on Broadway in The Who's Tommy and Hadestown before joining the vampire-themed rock musical, which features music by Los Angeles band The Rescues.
"For the people of Palestine who deserve to live a fruitful life, a free life, a full life without occupation.
For Arab theatermakers and artists, may we continue to tell our stories and show our faces, so our humanity becomes undeniable, and our families can no longer be written off as merely collateral damage.
May they know the beauty of our kisses upon each cheek and the romance of a language rooted in passion for love and life itself," continued Bourzgui.
Bourzgui noted that his character flies across the stage as a rock idol, utilizing elements of fantasy to explore human nature.
"Sometimes humanity needs a fantastical lens outside of ourselves to look at and explore questions about our own nature.
Vampires represent those who have shown their own humanity in order to achieve a non-existent sense of superiority.
The billionaires will never find happiness from their money. The colonizers will never find fulfillment from the land and lives they steal.
The fascists will never find meaning," added Bourzgui.
He concluded his remarks by reflecting on the unique environment that live theater provides for audiences during this period.
"People like to say that theater is a form of escape, but I found more than ever that in this season of time, that theater is one of the last places people can come to worship the power of true collective human presence," said Bourzgui.
Co-star Shoshana Bean won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Lucy Emerson, a single mother of two boys who moves to a California town inhabited by vampires.
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"It's the most singular gift of my career," said Bean.
Bean praised her colleagues in the musical, which features a book written by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch.
"I will never stop screaming about how special this combination of humans is," added Bean.
The role of Lucy Emerson originally belonged to Caissie Levy, who exited the production to remain with the musical Ragtime, opening an unexpected path for Bean.
"I've only marveled at what it is," said Bean.
Bean had recently earned a previous Tony nomination for playing a single mother in Hell's Kitchen and initially hesitated to take on a similar role.
"I've only marveled that my dear friend, who's like a sister, would make a decision that, on like a soul level, was handing me a gift like this," continued Bean.
The actress explained that spiritual intuition led her to accept the part despite initial reservations on paper.
"Nothing on paper made it seem like this was the next right move, and something in my spirit moved me to say yes," stated Bean.
Bean expressed absolute certainty regarding her choice to join the Broadway production.
"I'm so glad I said yes, I've never thought about what if I said no," added Bean.
She attributed much of her positive experience to collaborating with young actors LJ Benet and Benjamin Pajak, who portray her onscreen sons.
"I'm not a mother myself," said Bean.
The character utilizes a combination of firm and affectionate guidance to manage her family within the storyline.
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"I've just always had that sort of maternal instinct, and gratefully this time I landed in an experience with two boys who receive that, who want that," concluded Bean.
