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SJ150 • 2026

Commending Sam Pinkleton.

Commending Sam Pinkleton.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Aird
Last action
2026-03-14
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about Sam Pinkleton's education or the exact number and types of Tony Award nominations for 'Oh, Mary!'.

Praise for Sam Pinkleton

This bill commends Sam Pinkleton, a theater director from Hopewell who won the Best Direction of a Play Tony Award in 2025.

What This Bill Does

  • Honors Sam Pinkleton for winning the Best Direction of a Play Tony Award in 1978th (2025) at the Tony Awards.
  • Recognizes his achievements as a theater director and choreographer, including directing 'Oh, Mary!' which won multiple Tony nominations.
  • Requests the Senate Clerk to give Sam Pinkleton a copy of this resolution.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Sam Pinkleton

Terms To Know

Tony Award
An award given to recognize excellence in Broadway theatre.
General Assembly
The legislative body of a state, responsible for making laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not provide any financial support or benefits.
  • It only expresses the General Assembly's admiration and wishes for Sam Pinkleton's future success.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-14 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ150ER)

  2. 2026-03-09 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  3. 2026-03-06 House

    Received

  4. 2026-03-06 House

    Laid on Speaker's table

  5. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  6. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Presented 26105362D

  7. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Sam Pinkleton.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Sam Pinkleton.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, Sam Pinkleton, an acclaimed theater director and choreographer and native of Hopewell, received an Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre for Best Direction of a Play at the 78th Tony Awards on June 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, after attending Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, Sam Pinkleton enrolled at the Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology in Petersburg, where he was first exposed to theater production; and
WHEREAS, Sam Pinkleton relocated to New York City to study musical theater and directing at New York University and soon thereafter received his first Broadway credit as the assistant director of the production of The Lyons at what was formerly the Cort Theatre; and
WHEREAS, Sam Pinkleton was presented the Tony Award by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League for his accomplishments directing the historical comedy,Oh, Mary!, by Cole Escola, a satirical reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's life as an aspiring cabaret performer; and
WHEREAS, following a tremendously successful off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York, Oh, Mary! first opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024, at the Lyceum Theatre, marking the first time a play directed by Sam Pinkleton appeared on Broadway; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Best Direction of a Play, Sam Pinkleton's Oh, Mary! was nominated for four other Tony Awards, including Best Play; previously he was nominated for Best Choreographer in 2017 for his work on Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; and
WHEREAS, Sam Pinkleton's accomplishments have brought great pride to the Commonwealth, and they will be an inspiration to young actors, playwrights, and directors in the Commonwealth for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Sam Pinkleton for receiving the 2025 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sam Pinkleton as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his achievements and best wishes for his continued success.