From robots and pirates to the deeply personal and historic, the 2025 Tony Awards celebrated theater’s breadth and brilliance.
Hosted by Tony Award winner and “Wicked” movie star Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony aired June 8 and delivered unforgettable moments, including a rousing tribute to “Hamilton” and wins for breakthrough performances.
Best Plays and Musicals
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer-winning Purpose won Best Play, and he encouraged audiences to support local theater.
Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day won Best Revival of a Play under the “classics rule,” after notable off-Broadway and London runs.
Maybe Happy Ending won Best Musical, presented by Lin-Manuel Miranda, while Sunset Blvd. earned Best Revival of a Musical. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber called the revival “wonderful.”
Big Winners
Nicole Scherzinger, in her Broadway debut, won Best Actress in a Musical for Sunset Blvd. She broke down in tears while honoring “exceptional warrior women” and shared: “Don’t give up… the world needs your love and light more than ever.”
Sarah Snook won Best Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, her Broadway debut. Francis Jue earned Best Featured Actor in a Play for Yellow Face, thanking trailblazing Asian artists: “To those who don’t feel seen… I see you.”
Jak Malone picked up the first award of the night for Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, championing gender diversity and honoring his character, Hester.
Kara Young won her second consecutive Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play for Purpose.
“In this world that we are so divided, theater is a sacred space,” she said.
Natalie Venetia Belcon won Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Buena Vista Social Club, honoring real-life Cuban singer Omara Portuondo.
Sam Pinkleton won Best Direction of a Musical for Oh, Mary! “We can bring joy to people at the end of a crappy day.”
Michael Arden earned Best Direction of a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending: “Empathy is not a weakness, but a gift and a shared responsibility.”
Cole Escola took Best Leading Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!—a role they also wrote.
Darren Criss won Best Lead Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending, dedicating his performance to his late father and brother: “This play is about love and memory.”
‘Hamilton’ Turns 10
The original cast of “Hamilton” reunited for a special 10th anniversary performance. Dressed mostly in black—except for Jonathan Groff’s red-blazered King George—the ensemble delivered a high-octane mixtape of hits. Each character shined as the cast moved through the musical’s most iconic scenes, culminating with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton reminding us not to throw away our shot.
A Starry Opening
The show opened with a surprise appearance by Oprah Winfrey, who encouraged Erivo to “just be yourself.” Erivo launched into a stunning musical introduction, reminding us that “sometimes all you need is a song,” supported by a choir and dancers. She nodded to her Elphaba roots and kept the crowd laughing with playful nods to Broadway etiquette, Groff’s energetic spit takes, and a toy car gifted to Oprah.
Erivo closed the show drawing from musical theater canon: “And I am telling you − I AM going.”
In Memoriam and Honors
Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo sang “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” for the In Memoriam, concluding with an embrace as Gavin Creel was honored last.
Celia Keenan-Bolger received the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, introduced by a tearful Bareilles.
“By honoring me, you’re sending the message that the work of community care matters,” Keenan-Bolger said, dedicating her award to Gavin Creel and encouraging donations to his fellowship program.
Harvey Fierstein received the Lifetime Achievement Tony.
“If it had gone to plan, I would now be a retired high school art teacher,” he said. “What I find most humbling is somehow my journey means something to you.”
Early Winners and Design Awards
During Tony Awards: Act One on Pluto TV, Maybe Happy Ending picked up early awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design of a Musical. The story of two “helperbots” on a journey of friendship and love continues to resonate.
Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck won Best Choreography for Buena Vista Social Club. The show also took Best Sound Design of a Musical.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow earned wins for Best Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Scenic Design of a Play, lauded for its technical mastery.
Marg Horwell won Best Costume Design of a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Paul Tazewell, who won for Hamilton, earned Best Costume Design of a Musical for Death Becomes Her.
“A Black, queer little boy in Akron, Ohio… had no idea that in 2025 he would have the year that he had,” Tazewell said.
Honors and Tributes
The Excellence in Theatre Education Award went to Edwin Robinson of Brooklyn’s Boys and Girls High School. The Regional Theatre Tony went to The Muny.
Special awards were given to the Buena Vista Social Club band and the illusion team behind Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre recognized Great Performances, Michael Price, New 42, and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
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