2026 GRAMMYS: MAYBE HAPPY ENDING and GYPSY Lead Nominees for Best Musical Theatre Album
The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album have been announced. This year’s nominees include five captivating cast albums: “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Gypsy,” “Just in Time,” and “Maybe Happy Ending.” These nominations reflect the commitment to showcasing the best in Broadway musical theatre.
2026 Grammy Awards Overview
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, and will air on CBS. These awards will honor recordings released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Notably, the 2026 ceremony continues a trend, marking the fourth consecutive year where only Broadway cast recordings are nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Changes in Award Criteria
- This is the first year following the Recording Academy’s update to the award’s criteria.
- The number of recognized Principal Vocalists has increased from four to six.
- Up to six principal vocalists along with album producers contributing 50% or more of the album’s playtime are now eligible for the award.
- Composers and lyricists of 50% or more of the score can also receive nominations, provided their work has not been previously recognized.
Nominees for Best Musical Theatre Album
The diverse nominees highlight the talent within the musical theatre community:
- Buena Vista Social Club – Producers: Marco Paguia, Dean Sharenow & David Yazbek (Original Broadway Cast)
- Death Becomes Her – Principal Vocalists: Taurean Everett, Megan Hilty, Josh Lamon, Christopher Sieber, Jennifer Simard & Michelle Williams; Producers: Noel Carey, Sean Patrick Flahaven, Julia Mattison & Scott M. Riesett (Original Broadway Cast)
- Gypsy – Principal Vocalists: Danny Burstein, Kevin Csolak, Audra McDonald, Jordan Tyson & Joy Woods; Producers: David Caddick, Andy Einhorn, David Lai & George C. Wolfe (2024 Broadway Cast)
- Just in Time – Principal Vocalists: Emily Bergl, Jonathan Groff, Erika Henningsen, Gracie Lawrence & Michele Pawk; Producers: Derik Lee, Andrew Resnick & Bill Sherman (Original Broadway Cast)
- Maybe Happy Ending – Principal Vocalists: Marcus Choi, Darren Criss, Dez Duron & Helen J Shen; Producers: Deborah Abramson, Will Aronson, Ian Kagey & Hue Park (Original Broadway Cast)
Significance of the Award
The Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album aims to celebrate exceptional recordings created for musical theatre. The award acknowledges performance excellence while focusing on the artistic integrity of the recorded works, without taking the accompanying stage production elements into account.
As the 2026 Grammy Awards approach, the anticipation for these remarkable nominations builds. Each album showcases unique storytelling and musical prowess, reflecting the vibrant landscape of contemporary musical theatre.
