Hamilton-born Caissie Levy wants to use Tony win to start conversations about motherhood

Caissie Levy won her first Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical on June 7 for her role as Mother in the revival of Ragtime. According to The Globe and Mail, the Hamilton, Ontario-born actress is using her win to highlight the difficulties working parents face when balancing Broadway careers with family life.

Levy, 45, described the experience of returning to the stage after the awards ceremony as “electric.” She told The Globe and Mail that the audience’s reaction was special and left her feeling deeply connected to the crowd.

How did Caissie Levy’s career lead to her Tony win?

Levy’s path to the 79th Tony Awards began in 1989. At age eight, she watched a Mirvish production of Les Misérables in Toronto with her parents and brothers, a moment she says made her realize she wanted to act. She later credited her Hamilton roots and mentors David Dayler of the New Faces program and Gary Smith of the Players’ Guild for providing the foundation of her career.

Her Broadway debut occurred in 2002 as Penny in Hairspray. Since then, she has originated the role of Elsa in the Frozen musical and appeared in several other productions, including Leopoldstadt, Caroline, or Change, Next to Normal, and The Bedwetter.

Did You Know? Caissie Levy’s decision to pursue acting was sparked at age eight in 1989 after seeing a production of Les Misérables in Toronto.

Why did Levy leave The Lost Boys musical?

Levy departed the prerun of The Lost Boys in November 2025. She explained to The Globe and Mail that the decision came after a struggle to balance the demands of two different projects with her responsibilities as a mother to her children, 10-year-old Izaiah and five-year-old Talulah.

She noted that Broadway schedules are particularly difficult because performers are gone at night. Levy described the conflict of driving into Manhattan just as her children are getting off the school bus. Ultimately, she stated that her children needed her more, leading her to choose them over the production.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that Levy’s departure from The Lost Boys illustrates the systemic tension between rigid theatrical schedules and modern family needs. The trade-off between a high-profile career milestone and parental presence remains a significant point of friction in the industry.

How could Broadway change to support working parents?

Levy believes her Tony Award may give her more influence to advocate for industry innovation. She told The Globe and Mail that parents, including both actors and backstage crew, should not have to choose between their home life and a career in theatre.

Caissie Levy wins for Lead Actress in a Musical at The 79th Annual Tony Awards

Possible solutions she suggested include the implementation of more alternates and various forms of role-sharing. Such changes could allow parents to work one or two shows a week, which would enable them to put their children to bed while still contributing their talents to the stage.

Levy argued that a full life offstage allows an artist to bring more life to a character onstage. She believes these adjustments would help the industry keep great artists working.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role did Caissie Levy play to win her Tony Award?
She won for her performance as Mother in the revival of Ragtime.

Which Broadway role did Caissie Levy originate?
Levy originated the role of Elsa in the musical Frozen.

Who were Caissie Levy’s early mentors in Hamilton?
She credited David Dayler, who ran the New Faces program and taught at Westdale High School, and Gary Smith, who directed her at the Players’ Guild.

How do you think the theatre industry can better balance professional demands with family life?