Sydney production of Picture of Dorian Gray gets New York award in huge win

New York’s famed Tony Awards have recognised Australian actress Sarah Snook and the Sydney theatre Company’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Snook, who plays 26 different parts in the remarkable and theatrically acclaimed production, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Marg Horwell won Best Constume Design in a Play.

The Tony Awards, the highest honour in American theatre, celebrate outstanding achievements across Broadway productions.

The win is a big boost for Sydney producer Michael Cassel, who is a major force in theatre in Australia, the UK and the US. His production of MJ The Musical is still running at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.

The production also received nominations for:

• Best Direction of a Play – Kip Williams
• Best Scenic Design of a Play – Marg Horwell and David Bergman
• Best Lighting Design of a Play – Nick Schlieper
• Best Sound Design of a Play – Clemence Williams

Snook said in her acceptable speech: “This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway… it is billed as a one person show, but I don’t feel alone on any night that I do this show. There are so may people on stage making it work, and so many people behind the stage making it work – in particular a huge thank you to [adapter and director] Kip Williams who is incredible to create this.”

Michael Cassel, who produced this Broadway hit, added: “Sarah Snook’s Tony Award win is a deeply deserved honour. Her performance has captivated audiences night after night, and this recognition is a celebration of her extraordinary artistry.

“It is also a proud moment for our entire creative team, whose vision and talent have also been recognised tonight. From its beginnings in Sydney to standing ovations on the West End and Broadway, the journey of this show has been nothing short of phenomenal. This accolade is not only a testament to the brilliance of everyone involved, but also to the courage of Sydney Theatre Company and Kip Williams, whose creative genius, ambition and innovation made this groundbreaking piece of theatre possible. I am so proud to be a part of Australian theatre being shared on the global stage.”

Sarah Snook, making her Broadway debut, leads the virtuosic solo adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s only novel, portraying 26 characters in a performance hailed as a “tour-de-force.”

Snook is best known for her role as Shiv Roy in HBO’s Succession, for which she earned an Emmy, two Golden Globes and two Critics’ Choice Awards. Her Olivier Award-winning performance in Dorian Gray captivated London audiences in a sold-out West End season.

Originally premiering at Sydney Theatre Company in 2020, the production extended its season twice due to demand and toured nationally to critical acclaim. The London season saw Snook named Best Actress at the 2024 Olivier Awards, with Marg Horwell also honoured for Best Costume Design.

The Broadway season is produced by Michael Cassel, Adam Kenwright, Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen, Daryl Roth, Amanda Lipitz and Henry Tisch, with Foresight Theatrical as General Manager, Aaron Lustbader as Executive Producer, and Michael Cassel Group as Worldwide Executive Producer. 

Opening 27 March 2025 at the Music Box Theatre and running through 29 June 2025, the production has already made history – breaking the box office record at the 104-year-old venue.

According to the Financial Review the show has grossed $US14.5 million ($22.3 million) at an average over $US1 million a week since it opened for previews, and last month it was extended for two weeks until June 29.