Broadway’s brightest stars lit up Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2025, for the 78th Tony Awards, a dazzling celebration of theatre’s finest. Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the night honored breakout wins for Cole Escola in Oh, Mary!, Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending, and Buena Vista Social Club as Best Musical. A nostalgic Hamilton reunion and emotional tributes captivated audiences, despite technical hiccups. Dive into the triumphs, performances, and historic moments that defined the 2025 Tonys.
On a balmy June evening in New York City, the iconic Radio City Music Hall pulsed with anticipation. The 78th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 8, 2025, brought together theatre’s luminaries to celebrate a triumphant Broadway season. From a show-stopping Hamilton reunion to historic wins for Cole Escola, Darren Criss, and Buena Vista Social Club, the night was a vibrant tapestry of artistry, diversity, and resilience. Despite minor technical glitches, the 2025 Tonys underscored Broadway’s enduring magic, with performances that electrified 6,000 attendees and millions watching worldwide. Here’s a deep dive into the night’s highlights, winners, and what it all means for the Great White Way.
The Stage Is Set: A Return to Radio City
For the first time since 2022, the Tony Awards 2025 returned to their storied home at Radio City Music Hall, a venue synonymous with Broadway’s grandeur. With its Art Deco elegance and 6,000-seat capacity, the Midtown Manhattan landmark provided the perfect backdrop for a night celebrating the 2024-2025 season’s finest plays and musicals. The ceremony aired live on CBS from 8 to 11 p.m. ET, with streaming available on Paramount+ for SHOWTIME subscribers. A pre-show, Tony Awards: Act One, was also hosted on Pluto TV by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
Cynthia Erivo, a Tony and Emmy winner known for her role as Elphaba in Wicked, took the helm as host. Her commanding presence set the tone with a witty, heartfelt opening number that blended humour with reverence for Broadway’s legacy.
“Tonight, we celebrate the stories that move us, the artists who inspire us, and the community that binds us,”
Erivo declared, earning a standing ovation.
The stakes were high. Broadway’s 2024-2025 season grossed an unprecedented $1.89 billion, marking its strongest financial year ever, according to industry reports. With star-studded nominees like George Clooney, Audra McDonald, and Nicole Scherzinger, the night promised glamour and gravitas. But it was the unexpected victories and emotional moments that stole the show.
Key Moments: Performances That Dazzled
The 2025 Tony Awards were a showcase of Broadway’s diversity and dynamism, with performances from all five Best Musical nominees—Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, and Operation Mincemeat—alongside revivals like Gypsy and Sunset Boulevard. Each number was a high-energy bid for audience affection, offering a glimpse into the season’s creative breadth.
The night’s emotional peak came with a Hamilton reunion, marking the musical’s 10th anniversary. Original cast members Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Jonathan Groff, and Daveed Diggs took the stage for a medley of hits like “My Shot” and “The Room Where It Happens.” The performance, a nod to Hamilton’s transformative impact, left the audience in tears and ignited social media buzz.
“Seeing the OGs back together was pure magic,”
tweeted one fan, echoing the sentiment of millions.
Cynthia Erivo also led a poignant In Memoriam segment, performing “Tomorrow” from Annie alongside Sara Bareilles. The tribute honoured theatre legends lost in the past year, with names projected on a minimalist backdrop, drawing sobs from the crowd.
“It was a reminder of how fleeting this art form is, yet how eternal its impact,”
said theatre critic Laura Collins-Hughes in a New York Times review.
Not everything went smoothly. Technical issues, particularly with audio mixing, frustrated viewers at home. Social media posts on X complained of muffled dialogue and poorly timed commercial breaks, with one user quipping,
“The Tonys sound like my old car stereo—fix it, CBS!”
Despite these hiccups, the performances’ energy and the night’s historic wins kept the focus on Broadway’s brilliance.
The Winners: A Season of Surprises
The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated a season where new voices and bold stories dominated. Buena Vista Social Club, a vibrant musical inspired by the Cuban music phenomenon, took home the Best Musical award, sweeping additional categories including choreography, orchestration, and sound design. Its win highlighted Broadway’s embrace of global narratives, with producer Orin Wolf noting,
“This is a love letter to Cuban culture and the power of music to unite us.”
Purpose, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama exploring a Black family’s political and personal struggles, won Best Play, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, accepting the award, said,
“This story is about who we are as a nation, and I’m honored to share it.”
Individual performances shone brightly. Cole Escola, a comedic force in Oh, Mary!, won Best Leading Actor in a Play for their irreverent portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln.
“I wrote this to make people laugh, but I’m crying now,”
Escola said, clutching their Tony. Darren Criss, no stranger to the spotlight, earned Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending, a futuristic love story between two robots.
“This show is about connection in a disconnected world,”
Criss reflected, dedicating his win to his cast.
Sarah Snook, known for Succession, claimed Best Leading Actress in a Play for her mesmerizing turn in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Her performance, a gender-bending take on Oscar Wilde’s classic, was lauded for its intensity.
“Broadway pushed me to my limits, and I’m grateful for it,”
Snook said backstage.
Francis Jue made history as the second male Asian American to win a Tony, taking Best Featured Actor in a Play for Yellow Face. His emotional speech, calling for greater representation, resonated deeply.
“This is for every kid who felt invisible on stage,”
Jue said, sparking applause. Other standout feature wins included Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club), Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat), and Kara Young (Purpose).
Revivals also had their moment. Sunset Boulevard won Best Musical Revival, with its bold reimagining earning praise for director Jamie Lloyd’s vision. Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about vaccine debates, took Best Play Revival, proving its timeliness. Technical categories saw Maybe Happy Ending dominate with wins for book, score, and scenic design. In contrast, directors Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) and Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) were honoured for their innovative staging.
Behind the Scenes: Broadway’s Big Picture
The 2025 Tony Awards weren’t just about trophies; they reflected a Broadway rebounding with vigor. The 2024-2025 season’s $1.89 billion box office haul signaled a post-pandemic renaissance, driven by star power and diverse storytelling. Nominees like George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck), Audra McDonald (Gypsy), and Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Boulevard) drew crowds, while shows like Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending showcased cultural and creative innovation.
Representation was a recurring theme. Jue’s win, alongside the success of Buena Vista Social Club and Purpose, highlighted Broadway’s push for inclusivity.
“We’re seeing stories that reflect the world, not just a sliver of it,”
said Tony voter and producer Kumiko Yoshii. Yet, challenges remain. Critics noted that while progress is evident, Broadway’s leadership and creative teams still skew white and male, a point raised in post-ceremony analyses on X.
The night also spotlighted Broadway’s economic impact. With tourism rebounding, the industry employed over 87,000 people in New York City alone, according to the Broadway League. Shows like Hamilton, still a box office juggernaut a decade later, and newcomers like Death Becomes Her fueled ticket sales, with performances at the Tonys boosting their visibility.
“A Tony performance can add months to a show’s run,”
said theatre economist Michael Riedel.
Criticisms and Controversies
No awards show is immune to critique, and the 2025 Tonys faced their share. Audio issues plagued the CBS broadcast, with viewers reporting inconsistent sound levels during performances.
“It’s 2025—how do we still have mic problems?”
Tweeted critic Ashley Lee, echoing widespread frustration. Commercial breaks also drew ire, with ads cutting into key moments, such as the Hamilton medley.
Some questioned the nomination process, noting that Maybe Happy Ending and Death Becomes Her tied for the most nods (10 each) but split wins, potentially diluting their impact. Others debated the absence of certain shows, like Just in Time, despite Jonathan Groff’s nomination. Still, the ceremony’s focus on new works over legacy productions was largely praised as a bold move.
Looking Ahead: Broadway’s Bright Future
The 2025 Tony Awards were a testament to Broadway’s resilience and reinvention. With record-breaking revenue and a commitment to diverse voices, the industry is poised for growth. Upcoming seasons promise more star-driven projects and experimental works, with producers already eyeing adaptations like Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which won for scenic design.
The Hamilton reunion reminded audiences of theatre’s lasting impact, while wins for Escola, Criss, and Jue signalled a new generation of talent. As Erivo said in her closing remarks,
“Broadway isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling, a movement, a home.”
The 2025 Tonys captured that spirit, imperfections and all, leaving theater lovers eager for what’s next.
For those who missed it, the ceremony is available on-demand via Paramount+ Essential starting June 9, 2025. Whether you’re a Broadway buff or a casual fan, the 2025 Tony Awards offered something unforgettable—a night where art, heart, and history took center stage.
