78th Tony Awards
DateJune 8, 2025
LocationNew York City, New York
HostsCynthia Erivo
Most winsMaybe Happy Ending (6)
Most nominationsBuena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending (10)
NetworkCBS
Paramount+
Pluto TV
Viewership4.9 million (CBS)
ProducerRicky Kirshner
Glenn Weiss
DirectorGlenn Weiss
Previous77th
MainTony Awards
Next79th
Websitetonyawards.com
VenueRadio City Music Hall

The 78th Tony Awards were held on June 8, 2025, to recognize excellence in Broadway productions during the 2024–25 season. The ceremony took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and was broadcast on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.[1] The show was hosted by Cynthia Erivo.

The musicals Death Becomes Her, Buena Vista Social Club, and Maybe Happy Ending led the field with ten nominations each. Maybe Happy Ending emerged as the night's most-awarded production, winning six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for Darren Criss. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Purpose won Best Play.

Other top acting honors went to Nicole Scherzinger (Best Actress in a Musical), Cole Escola (Best Actor in a Play), and Sarah Snook (Best Actress in a Play).

Ceremony information

Pluto TV streamed the pre-ceremony broadcast The Tony Awards: Act One, hosted by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry.[2] Brian Stokes Mitchell served as the announcer.[3]

Cynthia Erivo served as host.[4] Following the ceremony, NPR praised her comedy,[5] the Associated Press described her as an "amiable host",[6] and Deadline called her "absolutely flawless".[7] Vulture praised her opening number, noting she had "a really smart strategy...: joking to a minimum (not her strong suit), vocals on max (there’s no one better)".[8]

The ceremony opened with a brief sketch of Erivo walking from her dressing room to the stage, while various people advise her on what she should do for the opening number, before Oprah Winfrey advises her to be herself. Upon reaching the stage, Erivo sang "Sometimes All You Need Is a Song", an original piece written by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul which referenced various nominees.[6][7][9] She was joined by the Broadway Inspirational Voices choir partway through the number.[6]

Erivo and Sara Bareilles performed a duet of "Tomorrow" for the In Memoriam section of the ceremony.[5][6] The original cast of Hamilton also performed a medley of eight songs from the show in honor of the musical's 10th anniversary, choosing to wear all-black rather than their original costumes.[5][6] The closing number was an adapted version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," with lyrics changed to reference events of the night.[8][9]

Eligibility

The Tony Awards eligibility dates for the 2024–2025 Broadway season were April 29, 2024, through April 27, 2025. Productions were also required to meet all other eligibility criteria as set forth by the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League. There are 41 legitimate Broadway-eligible theaters in which a production must be performed in to attain eligibility for award consideration. Nominations for the 2025 Tony Awards were announced on May 1, 2025.[10][11][12]

Original plays
Original musicals
Play revivals
Musical revivals

Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 78th Tony Awards were announced on May 1, 2025, at 8:30am EDT by Wendell Pierce and Sarah Paulson. The winners were announced on June 8, 2025. The ceremony was hosted by Cynthia Erivo.[13] The awards were largely spread out across various shows, with no one show "sweeping" the awards.[5] Vulture criticized the choice to exclude some awards from the main ceremony, including Best Book, Best Score and Harvey Fierstein's acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award.[8]

Purpose, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, won Best Play.[14] Jacobs-Jenkins had received Best Revival of a Play for his play Appropriate at the 77th Tony Awards.[15] Maybe Happy Ending received six awards including Best Musical, while its director Michael Arden won Best Direction of a Musical[16] and Darren Criss won Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Oliver,[17][18][19] the first Asian-American man to do so.[9] Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard won Best Revival of a Musical with Nicole Scherzinger winning Leading Actress in a Musical,[18][20] the second Asian-American woman to do so.[9] Paul Tazewell won Best Costume Design in a Musical for his work in Death Becomes Her.[21] Actors who won on their Broadway debut included Sarah Snook who won Best Actress in a Play for her 26 roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray, most notably Dorian Gray,[6] and Jak Malone, who won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in Operation Mincemeat as Hester Leggatt.[21]

Other winners included Cole Escola who won Best Actor in a Play for their role in Oh, Mary! as Mary Todd Lincoln and Kara Young who won Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in Purpose as Aziza Houston.[21] Escola was the first non-binary actor to win the category,[8][9] while Young became the first Black actor to win a Tony Award in two consecutive years.[22] Francis Jue won Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his role in Yellow Face, and said in his acceptance speech that 20 years prior, "he was gifted his tuxedo from another Asian actor who wanted him to wear it to the Tonys".[6][9] Jue was the second Asian-American man to win the category, the first being B.D. Wong for M. Butterfly in 1988.[9]

In an upset to some critics, the revival of Gypsy, headed by Audra McDonald, who is the most awarded performer in Tony history, did not win a single award.[23] Additionally, Death Becomes Her, which tied for most nominated with ten nominations, won only a single award for costuming.[23]

Awards

width:50%" |Best Play ‡width:50%" |Best Musical ‡
Best Revival of a Play ‡Best Revival of a Musical ‡
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a MusicalBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlayBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Direction of a PlayBest Direction of a Musical
Best Book of a MusicalBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Best Scenic Design of a PlayBest Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Costume Design of a PlayBest Costume Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a PlayBest Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a PlayBest Sound Design of a Musical
Best ChoreographyBest Orchestrations

Source:[21]

‡ The award is presented to the producer(s) of the musical or play.

Non-competitive awards

Those being recognized with non-competitive awards are below.[24]

AccoladeNames
Lifetime Achievement in the TheatreHarvey Fierstein
Isabelle Stevenson AwardCelia Keenan-Bolger
Special Tony Award"The musicians who make up the band of Buena Vista Social Club[a]
"The illusions and technical effects of Stranger Things: The First Shadow[b]
Tony Honors for Excellence in TheatreGreat Performances
New 42
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Michael P. Price
Regional Theatre Tony AwardThe Muny[25]
Excellence in Theatre Education AwardGary Edwin Robinson from Boys and Girls High School[26]

Multiple nominations and awards

Productions with multiple nominations and awards

NominationsAwardsProduction
104Buena Vista Social Club
1Death Becomes Her
6Maybe Happy Ending
70Dead Outlaw
The Hills of California
John Proctor Is the Villain
3Sunset Boulevard
60Floyd Collins
Just in Time
2The Picture of Dorian Gray
Purpose
50English
Good Night, and Good Luck
Gypsy
2Oh, Mary!
3Stranger Things: The First Shadow
41Operation Mincemeat
30Boop! The Musical
1Yellow Face
2Eureka Day
0Real Women Have Curves
Smash

Individuals with multiple nominations and awards

NominationsAwardsIndividual
32Will Aronson
20David Cumming
1Cole Escola
0Christopher Gattelli
Felix Hagan
Natasha Hodgson
1Marg Horwell
0Rob Howell
Peter Hylenski
Derek McLane
2Hue Park
0Zoë Roberts

Presenters and performers

Presenters

Presenters
NamesNotes
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winterpresented Best Actress in a Play
Michelle Williamsintroduced Death Becomes Her
Danielle Brooks and Katie Holmespresented Best Featured Actor in a Play
Julianne Houghintroduced Buena Vista Social Club
Charli D'Amelio and Adam Lambertpresented Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Cynthia Erivo (host)introduced Just in Time
Carrie Preston and Tom Feltonpresented Best Featured Actress in a Play
Glenn Closeintroduced Sunset Boulevard
Kristin Chenoweth and Rachel Bay Jonespresented Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Kelli O'Haraintroduced Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Ben Stillerintroduced nominees and presented Best Play
Lea Salongaintroduced Maybe Happy Ending
Jesse Eisenbergintroduced Floyd Collins
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jacksonpresented Best Revival of a Play
Cynthia Erivo (host)introduced the original cast of Hamilton
Bryan Cranston and Allison Janneypresented Best Director of a Play and Best Director of a Musical
Jean Smart and Sarah Paulsonpresented Best Actor in a Play
Renée Elise Goldsberryintroduced Dead Outlaw
Lea Michele and Aaron Tveitpresented Best Revival of a Musical
Cecily Strongintroduced Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Auliʻi Cravalhointroduced Real Women Have Curves
Ariana DeBosepresented Best Actor in a Musical
Oprah Winfreypresented Best Actress in a Musical
Lin-Manuel Mirandapresented Best Musical

Performances

The ceremony featured performances from 11 nominated musicals, along with four additional performances.[27]

Performers
NamesSong(s)
Cynthia Erivo and Broadway Inspirational Voices"Sometimes All You Need Is a Song"
Megan Hilty from Death Becomes Her"For the Gaze"
The ensemble of Buena Vista Social Club"Candela"
Jonathan Groff from Just in Time"Mack the Knife" / "That's All" / "Once in a Lifetime"
Nicole Scherzinger from Sunset Boulevard"As If We Never Said Goodbye"
The ensemble of Pirates! The Penzance Musical"The Sail the Ocean Blues"
Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen from Maybe Happy Ending"Chasing Fireflies" / "Never Fly Away"
The ensemble of Floyd Collins"The Ballad of Floyd Collins" / "The Call"
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo
Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Christopher Jackson,
Jasmine Cephas Jones, Anthony Ramos, Jonathan Groff,
Ariana DeBose, and the original ensemble of Hamilton
"Non-Stop" / "My Shot" / "The Schuyler Sisters" /
"Guns and Ships" / "You'll Be Back" /
"Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" /
"The Room Where It Happens" / "History Has Its Eyes on You"
Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo ("In Memoriam" segment)"Tomorrow"
The ensemble of Dead Outlaw"Ballad" / "Dead"
Audra McDonald from Gypsy"Rose's Turn"
The ensemble of Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical"Born to Lead"
The ensemble of Real Women Have Curves"Jugglin'"
Cynthia Erivo"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"

Reception

Ratings

The ceremony drew an average of 4.85 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-viewed Tonys ceremony since the 73rd Tony Awards in 2019. Figures from Paramount+, which was up 208%, brought total viewership up to 5.1 million.[28][29] This follows the news that the 2024-25 season was the highest grossing season ever for Broadway.[30]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that the ceremonies' highlights were the Hamilton 10-year anniversary performance, Cynthia Erivo's hosting abilities, and the performances of Nicole Scherzinger and Jonathan Groff.[31] Erivo received widespread acclaim for her hosting abilities with Deadline Hollywood declaring, "[She] did an absolutely flawless job as host...This is what an awards show should look like".[32] Entertainment Weekly cited her as one of the show's highlights saying, "From the opening seconds, Erivo defied expectations" adding, "Throughout the ceremony, she played to her strengths and it made for a superb outing as a host."[33]

In Memoriam

Host Cynthia Erivo along with Sara Bareilles performed the song Tomorrow from the musical Annie during the In Memoriam segment, As the names and images of theater personalities who died in the past year were shown in the following order. [34]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Marco Paguia (music director, conductor/piano); David Oquendo (associate music director, guitar); Renesito Avich (tres); Gustavo Schartz (bass); Javier Días, Román Diaz, Mauricio Herrera (percussion); Jesus Ricardo (trumpet); Eddie Venegas (trombone); Hery Paz (woodwinds); and Leonardo Reyna (piano)"
  2. ^ Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone, and Edward Pierce"

References

  1. ^ Evans, Greg (September 23, 2024). "Tony Awards Returning To Radio City Music Hall, Sets 2025 Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Purdy, Shawn & Weissman, Elyse (May 28, 2025). "First-Time Tony Nominee Darren Criss and Tony Award Winner Renée Elise Goldsberry to Host "The Tony Awards: Act One"". Tony Awards. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Gans, Andrew & Culwell-Block, Logan (June 3, 2025). "Oprah Winfrey, Ariana DeBose, Lea Michele, Lea Salonga, Samuel L. Jackson, More Are 2025 Tony Award Presenters". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  4. ^ Intarasuwan, Kiki (February 19, 2025). "Cynthia Erivo will host the 2025 Tony Awards". CBS News. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  5. ^ Vanasco, Jennifer (June 9, 2025). "Broadway celebrates a spectacular season at the 2025 Tony Awards". NPR
  6. ^ Kennedy, Mark (June 8, 2025). "Tony Awards laud android rom-com 'Maybe Happy Ending' and history-making 'Purpose'". AP News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  7. ^ Evans, Greg; Oganesyan, Natalie; Gomez, Dessi (June 9, 2025). "'Oh, Mary!' Loses, Cole Triumphs And Oprah Shades Patti Lupone: The Biggest Takeaways From Tonight's Tonys". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  8. ^ Alter, Rebecca; Frank, Jason P.; Hoepfner, Fran (June 9, 2025). "The Highs, Lows, and Whoas of the 2025 Tony Awards". Vulture. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "The best and worst moments from the 2025 Tony Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "Tony Awards Administration Committee Meets for First Time to Determine Eligibility for the 2024–2025 Season". tonyawards.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Tony Awards Administration Committee Meets for Second Time to Determine Eligibility for the 2024–2025 Season". tonyawards.com. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ "Tony Awards Administration Committee Meets for Third Time to Determine Eligibility for the 2024–2025 Season". tonyawards.com. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "'Maybe Happy Ending' tops Broadway's Tony Awards". France24. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "'Purpose' makes Tony Awards history for Kara Young and wins best play". The Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2025. – via Rocky Mountain Outlook.
  15. ^ "'The Outsiders' wins best musical and 'Stereophonic' best play as women make strides at Tony Awards". Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "Tony Awards biggest moments: Cynthia Erivo holds space, Nicole Scherzinger wins big". USA Today. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "Filipino-Americans Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss win Tony Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  18. ^ "Cole Escola, Nicole Scherzinger and More Win Big at the 78th Tony Awards! Read Full List of Winners". Broadway Buzz. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  19. ^ "Maybe Happy Ending Wins Best Musical at the Tony Awards 2025". Playbill. 8 June 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  20. ^ "Tony awards 2025: Maybe Happy Ending and Nicole Scherzinger win big while George Clooney misses out". Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  21. ^ "'Maybe Happy Ending,' 'Sunset Blvd.' Win Key 2025 Tony Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard. Archived June 9, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  22. ^ Carson, Lexi (June 9, 2025). "Kara Young Becomes First Black Performer to Win a Tony Award Two Years in a Row". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  23. ^ Cox, Gordon (June 9, 2025). "Tony Awards 2025 Snubs and Surprises: Nicole Scherzinger, Audra McDonald and More". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  24. ^ Vanasco, Jennifer (May 1, 2025). "2025 Tony Nominations Are Out — And They're Full of Celebrities". NPR. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  25. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 4, 2025). "St. Louis' Muny Honored With 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award". Playbill. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "Brooklyn Teacher Receives Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education". The New York Carib News. May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  27. ^ Purdy, Shawn & Weissman, Elyse (June 2, 2025). "Powerhouse Performances Announced for the 78th Annual Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  28. ^ "2025 Tonys Score 4.85 Million Viewers Across Platforms, Up 38% From Last Year". TheWrap. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  29. ^ "TV Ratings for Tony Awards 2025 Highest Since 2019; Streaming Audience Biggest Ever". Playbill. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  30. ^ "Broadway Grosses Analysis: 2024-2025 Broadway Season Is the Highest-Grossing in Recorded History". Playbill. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  31. ^ "Best and Worst Moments From the 2025 Tony Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  32. ^ "The Biggest Takeaways From The Tonys: 'Oh, Mary!' Loses, Cole Triumphs And Oprah Shades Patti Lupone". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  33. ^ "The best and worst moments from the 2025 Tony Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  34. ^ "Sara Bareilles Breaks Down in Tears, Is Comforted by Cynthia Erivo After Honoring Friend Gavin Creel, More at Tony Awards 2025". People.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.