At a recent event in New York celebrating the 2026 Tony nominees, Joshua Henry, the star of the Broadway revival of "Ragtime," shared his experiences, notably his nervousness during his performance of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" at the Met Gala. Despite being a seasoned performer, Henry admitted that he was more anxious than ever, especially about the prospect of falling down the staircase during the number. He humorously expressed his concerns, stating, “Can you imagine? I want to dance, and it’s just tap, tap, tap all the way down.”
Henry's solid footing on stage—demonstrated through his commitment to performing eight shows a week—has cemented his status as one of this Broadway season's standout performers. His acclaimed portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in "Ragtime" has garnered significant recognition, and anticipation is building for the upcoming Tony Awards ceremony scheduled for June 7.
Interestingly, Henry did not witness his own Tony nomination being announced live. He and his wife, Cathryn, were spending time with their children via FaceTime the morning after the Met Gala when they inadvertently missed the announcement of his category for best leading actor in a musical. This moment felt quite representative of his life, as Henry reflects on how his role as a husband and father has reshaped his understanding of success, patience, and gratitude. He attributes much of his stability to his wife and three sons.
Taking on the role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in “Ragtime” comes with its challenges, particularly given the heavy themes surrounding racism and personal upheaval. Henry credits the late playwright Terrence McNally for creating a poignant narrative based on E. L. Doctorow’s novel, accompanied by the powerful score crafted by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. He noted how the story reflects crucial moments, paralleling America's historical crossroads in 1908 with current societal inquiries regarding identity. This enduring emotional resonance keeps audiences connected to the production.
“They’re seeing themselves as Americans and seeing their journeys individually,” he remarked, indicating the broader themes of the musical resonate with contemporary audiences. However, Henry pointed out the challenges faced by Broadway productions amidst rising operational costs and fierce competition for audiences, especially for shows opening in the fall. “They really do,” he added, acknowledging the pressures that many shows face despite critical acclaim. “We thankfully got extended a couple of times,” he remarked about their show’s success in navigating these difficult circumstances.
Henry’s successful trajectory contrasts sharply with his experience in his first lead role in "The Scottsboro Boys," where he played a young Black man wrongfully accused of a crime. The 2010 production, despite critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, struggled financially, yet it provided a significant formative experience for Henry, placing him alongside Colman Domingo in their early Broadway careers.
Now in "Ragtime," Henry leads the second Broadway revival of the show, sharing the stage with Nichelle Lewis, who steps into a role made iconic by Audra McDonald. On opening night, the presence of both McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, who originally made the roles famous, was particularly meaningful for Henry. He reflected on listening to the original cast recording as an aspiring performer and expressed hope that he could move audiences in a similar manner as those legends once did. The warmth and encouragement from both performers have fostered Henry’s sense of belonging within the competitive Broadway community.
For additional details about the 2026 Tony Awards, interested parties are invited to visit the provided link to the dedicated coverage hub.
