The 50th Annual Tony Awards was broadcast by CBS from the Majestic Theatre on June 2, 1996. Nathan Lane was the host.

Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1995–1996 season before May 2, 1996 are eligible.

The opening number was "The Show Must Go On" performed by Liza Minnelli and Bernadette Peters, with Tony Award Alumni.

Presenters included: Bea Arthur, Edward Albee, Christine Baranski, Harry Belafonte, Matthew Broderick, Diahann Carroll, Hume Cronyn, Nanette Fabray, Robert Goulet, Gregory Hines, Uta Hagen, James Earl Jones, John Lithgow, Liza Minnelli, Patricia Neal, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bernadette Peters, John Rubinstein, Jane Seymour, Ron Silver, Lily Tomlin, Ben Vereen, Eli Wallach, Ray Walston, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Musicals represented:

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ("Comedy Tonight" – Nathan Lane and Company);
• The King and I ("Shall We Dance?" – Lou Diamond Phillips, Donna Murphy, and children);
• Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk ("Taxi"/"Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk" – Savion Glover, Ann Duquesnay, Jeffrey Wright and Company);
• Big ("Fun" – Daniel Jenkins, Jon Cypher and Company);
• State Fair ("All I Owe I-Oh-Way" – John Davidson, Andrea McArdle, and Company);
• Rent ("Seasons of Love"/"La Vie Boheme" – Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel and Company);
• Chronicle of a Death Foretold;
• Swinging on a Star ("Swinging on a Star" – Company)

Winners are in bold

• Special Regional Theatre Award
  • Alley Theatre, Houston, Texas

• Drama Desk Awards
• 1996 Laurence Olivier Awards – equivalent awards for West End theatre productions
• Obie Award
• New York Drama Critics' Circle
• Theatre World Award
• Lucille Lortel Awards