The melodies and the bursts of voices reach us as we arrive at the prestigious Théâtre Mogador through the backstage, this Monday, June 15, 2026. It's only 3:30 PM, but already, the musicians and the artists of the Chorus are rehearsing a number with the same intensity as if the entire audience were present. There are nearly thirty students, selected from the different musical theater schools in the region, participating in this show. On stage, the excitement is as palpable as it is contagious. Sound checks, placements, entrances and exits, transitions between the Chorus and Juliette Behar, the master of ceremonies... Under the direction of Cécile Chaduteau, everything is reviewed in the finest details to make this 8th edition of the Musical Theater Awards, a special event.
a moment as breathtaking as it is demanding.
Even though the atmosphere is serious, it's still warm and friendly. The camaraderie is clear: affectionate nicknames are flying around, compliments are flowing, and laughter fills the rehearsals of this big family that has come together in recent months around a show written by Stéphane Laporte and Gaétan Borg. “This ceremony allows us to create connections; it's not an audition, so it's all about sharing,” reminds Anna Megrier, a member of the Chorus.
A tribute to the genre, its artists, and their multidisciplinary nature
The curtain rises, and the cheers erupt. The energy of the actors on stage is amplified by shouts of joy and applause. From the very first moments, bolstered by this shared passion.
The stage is filled, the ceremony transforms into a true declaration of love for musical theater, as the tributes to the greatest shows that have marked this genre across the globe flow in succession. Behind the artists in colorful costumes, Juliette Behar in her sparkling evening gown, feather in her hair, kicks off the ceremony with a humorous tone, gently political but above all delightfully sharp.« Musical theater artists are superheroes, she begins, but public opinion in France has a hard time accepting that one can be multidisciplinary ». Highlighting artificial intelligence and the digital skills that are now imposed on artists who are already capable of excelling.in singing, playing, and dancing, the emcee emphasizes a primary necessity for bringing this genre to life: « Let's keep believing in artists for what they know how to do, let's focus on their journey rather than their number of followers. »
La Cage aux Folles and Dear Evan Hansen in the spotlight
Between the original and colorful performances created for the occasion, and the excerpts from the five nominated shows for the Musical Theatre Trophy, the various winners are called on stage to receive their golden awards from the hands of Pablo Cherrey-Iturralde, Carole Deffit, Nathan Desnyder, Jeanne Jerome, Camille Mesnard, and Daniel Njo Lobe.
La Cage aux Folles directed by Olivier Py at the Théâtre du Châtelet — and back to La Seine Musicale at the end of 2026 — takes home an impressive 7 awards: the trophy for scenography and the one for costume creation awarded to Pierre-André Weitz, the trophy for choreography for Ivo Bauchiero and Aurélien Lehmann, the trophy for direction for Olivier Py, the trophy for best supporting male role for Harold Simon, the trophy for best male performer for Laurent Lafitte, and the trophy for revival.
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Dear Evan Hansen is not to be missed. At just 20 years old, the lead actor, Antoine Le Provost, takes home the award for best male revelation, right after being nominated for the Molières 2026 just a few weeks ago. “It was the biggest challenge of my life,” he shares after receiving his trophy. Olivier Soliveres, the director, wins the adaptation award, while the show itself snagged the highly coveted musical award.
On the side of Chicago, two awards were won. Lisa Lanteri, who stepped in for Shy’m for much of the show's run, received...
;or the revelation of femininity. « A thought of solidarity for the understudies [...] it’s a labor of devotion, but above all, of resilience », she declares. Vanessa Cailhol, her co-star, takes home the trophy for Best Female Performer.
Nearly 16,000 voters for the public trophy
While in France, musical theater is still striving to establish itself permanently, this 8th Trophies ceremony has once again shown that the genre is carving out a lasting path on the French artistic scene. For this edition, the Mogador Theater was sold out. As for the public trophy, for which everyone is invited to vote, 15,900 votes have been recorded — a record.Time for love won the audience award in the region, while The Sun King received the audience award in Île-de-France.
Just like the American Tony Awards or the British Olivier Awards, the Trophies celebrate and honor excellence in musical theater in Paris and throughout France. It’s a ceremony as precious as each of the nominated shows and artists. So, as Antoine Le Provost beautifully said while wrapping up his speech: « Long live musical theater in France!»
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Young Audience Trophy: The Haunted House
Best Supporting Female Role Trophy: Tatiana Matre, Monte-Cristo, the Musical
Best Libretto Trophy: Stéphane Laporte and Yann Guillon, Monte-Cristo, the Musical
Best Score Trophy: Yanowski, Adèle Berry
Best Musical Trophy: Post!
Collective Trophy: Oliver Twist