The McNay invites visitors to step inside Tony Walton’s imaginative worlds

Drawn from the McNay’s Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts, “Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams” celebrates the artistry of one of Broadway’s most prolific scenic and costume designers

Fact Sheet: ‘Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams’

Exhibition: “Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams”

Dates: April 16-Aug. 23, 2026

Venue: McNay Art Museum, San Antonio

Admission: Exhibition included with general admission ($23 for adults; discounts and free admission available). Enjoy free general admission every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., courtesy of H-E-B, and the first Sunday of every month from noon to 5 p.m., courtesy of the Dickson Allen Foundation. Special exhibition access is $10 during these times.

About the Exhibition: Drawn from the McNay’s Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts, “Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams” celebrates the artistry of one of Broadway’s most prolific scenic and costume designers. While many might recognize only a few of his productions, such as the films “Mary Poppins” or “The Wiz,” or stage productions such as “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” or “Chicago,” Walton designed more than 50 productions on stage and more than 15 films. His work created iconic worlds still inspiring designers today.

Fast facts about scenic/costume designer Tony Walton:
• He was born in 1934. Walton, born in England, was active in the second half of the 20th century until his death in 2022.

• He designed on both sides of the Atlantic and across mediums. Walton’s work was seen on Broadway, London’s West End and in film.

• He was a pop culture influence. Walton created the costumes for Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins,” adding colorful flair to Edwardian England, and dreamed up the wardrobe for “The Wiz,” bringing surreal and dream-like twists to New York City.

• He was a triple winner. Walton was nominated for more than 20 awards and won an Oscar, an Emmy and three Tony awards.

Exhibition content: Maquettes, or small-scale sculptural models, of sets Walton designed, as well as watercolors and sketches of his costume creations and cast portraits, give a glimpse into the award-winning designer’s thinking.

Exhibition highlights:

• “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”
Walton’s work on this Stephen Sondheim musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1962, led to much of his fame as a designer, and prompted a meeting with Walt Disney. In the exhibition, viewers see how Walton’s bright fusion of Ancient Roman aesthetics and vaudevillian sensibilities was refined as he was brought on to design each iteration of the show, from Broadway to London’s West End and on to the 1966 film version and the 1996 Broadway revival. Watercolor and graphite sketches show his cast portraits and costume design thinking.

• “The Sea Gull”
Versatility and adaptation to the story were hallmarks of Walton who allowed the story to speak, rather than the design. For his production design on “The Sea Gull” starring Vanessa Redgrave, he created a rural two-story house in a somber and grounded style. The exhibition features a maquette of the intricately crafted home, which is featured prominently in the 1968 Warner Brothers movie adaptation.

• “Anything Goes”
Walton’s costumes and set design for “Anything Goes” brought the luxury of a cross-Atlantic cruise to the stage. The maquettes on view show how the designer brought to life an ocean liner’s upper deck, creating an immersive space for romance and shenanigans in the Cole Porter musical.

Related Events:
Film Screening: “A Funny Thing That Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1966)
Sunday, April 19
2-4 PM
McNay Art Museum, Chiego Lecture Hall
McNay presents a screening of the film “A Funny Thing That Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1966). This event is for guests ages 18 and older.

Tobin Distinguished Lecture
Thursday, May 21
6-7 PM
McNay Art Museum, Chiego Lecture Hall
Noted scholar and curator Brad Rosenstein discusses the artistry of Tony Walton, one of Broadway’s most prolific scenic and costume designers.

Credits: “Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams” is organized for the McNay Art Museum by René Paul Barilleaux, former head of curatorial affairs, and Remus Moore, The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund assistant curator.

Support: Support is provided by The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.

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About the McNay Art Museum
The McNay Art Museum engages a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. Built in the 1920s by artist and educator Marion Koogler McNay, the Spanish Colonial Revival residence became the site of Texas’ first modern art museum when it opened in 1954. Today, 200,000 visitors a year enjoy works by modern masters including Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Joan Mitchell, Alice Neel, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds include sculptures by Willie Cole, Robert Indiana, Luis A. Jiménez Jr., Alejandro Martín, George Rickey, Joel Shapiro, Kiki Smith, Tom Wesselmann and others. 

For more information about the McNay, visit www.mcnayart.org.

The McNay is open Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.