It’s a significant moment for Bahrain and the Gulf. Ali Daylami, a Bahraini theatre and live entertainment producer based in New York City, is part of the production team behind Maybe Happy Ending—a 2024 musical now nominated for a Tony Award.
This makes Daylami perhaps the first Bahraini or Gulf national to receive a nomination at the Tonys, marking a notable moment for the region’s representation in international theatre.
“As the first Bahraini to be nominated for a Tony, I carry this honour to the world’s stage not for myself alone, but for every voice in Bahrain who dares to dream big,” he said.
Daylami’s professional background spans two starkly different careers. Between 2007 and 2018, he worked at Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), where he focused on economic strategy and global outreach. In 2018, he shifted gears, moving to New York to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management and Producing at Columbia University.
Since then, he’s been involved in a range of productions in both London’s West End and on Broadway, including Wicked, The Heart of Rock and Roll, and Umm Kalthoum and the Golden Era.
Maybe Happy Ending, which opened in November 2024 at the Belasco Theatre, has received widespread attention from critics and audiences alike. The musical has been named among the best theatre productions of the year by publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time Out NY.
Alongside its Tony nominations, the show has picked up over 30 other awards and nominations across New York’s theatre circuit, including the Drama Desk Awards. A cast album is currently available on digital streaming platforms, with physical editions on the way.
The Tony Awards, officially known as the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, were established in 1947 and are presented annually by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League. They are widely seen as one of the key measures of achievement in live theatre.
While they primarily focus on Broadway productions, their influence reaches well beyond New York, often serving as a platform for international collaboration and visibility. For a Bahraini producer to be part of this space reflects a growing exchange between regional talent and global stages.
This year’s ceremony will take place on Monday, 9th June, from 3:00 am to 6:00 am (Arabian Standard Time) with actor and singer Cynthia Erivo as host. The event will bring together theatre professionals from across the world, with Maybe Happy Ending among the productions to watch.
While Bahraini creatives have contributed to international platforms across film, literature, and design, Daylami’s work with a Tony-nominated musical marks a significant entry into the world of Broadway theatre.
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