James Lapine received the 2026 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre and co-wrote Sunday in the Park with George.
Lapine was one of three recipients of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre honor, alongside André Bishop and Jules Fisher. He was a playwright, director, and librettist whose collaborations with Stephen Sondheim became central to late-20th-century American musical theatre.
Lapine wrote the book for Sunday in the Park with George, while Sondheim wrote its music and lyrics. Lapine and Sondheim also collaborated on Into the Woods and Passion, among other projects.
The Lifetime Achievement award was a non-competitive Tony honor, separate from the competitive awards presented for individual productions and performances. The 2026 ceremony recognized Lapine’s broader career rather than a single eligible Broadway production.