Unforgettable Highlights from the 2025 Tony Awards You Can’t Miss!
This year marks the 78th edition of the Tony Awards, and it’s a grand occasion where all the luminaries are gracing us with their presence to honor Broadway’s special evening.
As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that this year’s awards are being hosted by none other than Cynthia Erivo, who captivated both young and old with her enchanting portrayal of Elphaba in the “Wicked” movie. However, theater aficionados already know her as a Tony Award winner, recognized for her exceptional performance in “The Color Purple.”
Interestingly, Oprah Winfrey is rumored to grace us with her presence tonight as a presenter, along with other illustrious figures like Charli D’Amelio, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson, Adam Lambert, and Keanu Reeves. The evening promises to be star-studded!
In terms of entertainment, we can look forward to 11 Broadway musical performances tonight, including “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Gypsy,” “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical,” “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” “Sunset Boulevard,” and “Real Women Have Curves.” But the highlight of the night is a reunion of the original cast of “Hamilton,” including its creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This is definitely an event not to be missed!
This past season on Broadway was a bustling one, boasting 21 plays and 21 musicals vying for awards across 26 different categories. Don’t worry if you have an early bedtime, as some of the awards are given out before the live broadcast. The shows with the most nominations this year are the musicals “Buena Vista Social Club,” inspired by the lives of the Cuban musicians behind the hit 1997 album, “Death Becomes Her,” based on the 1992 Robert Zemeckis film, and an original production, “Maybe Happy Ending.” Each of these shows has garnered 10 nominations.
This year’s competition is particularly intense as two plays vying for Play of the Year, “Purpose” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and “English” by Sanaz Toossi, have previously won the Pulitzer Prize. Some awards have already been bestowed; notably, the on-stage band from “Buena Vista Social Club” is receiving an award, while “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is taking home a prize for exceptional special effects. Four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein will be honored with a lifetime achievement award in the theater, and Celia Keenan-Bolger is set to receive the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, which recognizes an individual from the theater community who has contributed significantly to humanitarian, social service, or charitable organizations.
Regarding who else could claim a title tonight, let’s review the contenders, with a special focus on Audra McDonald, who is vying for her 11th nomination as Mama Rose in Gypsy, and Sarah Snook, who won an Emmy for her role as Shiv Roy in Succession. The night began with Snook winning her first Tony Award for her remarkable performance of 26 characters in a technologically advanced adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Also noteworthy is Cole Escola, the creator and lead actor of the comedy Oh, Mary!, who could potentially outshine George Clooney in the best lead actor category.
Best Reminder
To start off the event, Cynthia Erivo delivered a profound historical recap for those who may have forgotten about her stage career before she became famous in “Wicked.” The host of the evening is an exceptionally gifted artist, just one step away from achieving an EGOT. Her rendition of “Sometimes All You Need Is a Song” served as a captivating demonstration for those more accustomed to seeing her in green makeup. In her opening address, Erivo highlighted the fact that Broadway had its most financially successful season yet, partially due to a wave of Hollywood actors gracing the stage. She acknowledged rising talent George Clooney, nominated for “Good Night, and Good Luck,” and joked that Broadway will remain vibrant as long as there’s no shortage of “Succession” cast members. Sarah Snook, known for her role as Shiv Roy in that HBO series, was among the nominees (and eventually won), mirroring the achievements of her costars Jeremy Strong and Keiran Culkin.
Best Reunion
The famous duo, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (recognized by many as Bill and Ted), kicked off the night’s ceremony while hinting at their upcoming joint performance later this year in a live staging of “Waiting for Godot“.
Most Undercompensated Winner
It’s no shock that Sarah Snook took home her initial Tony award. What was unexpected, however, was that she wasn’t honored with a total of 26 awards for portraying 26 distinct characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.
Most Impressive Costume Change(s)
Megan Hilty has been nominated for her impressive performance in “Death Becomes Her.” She dazzled audiences by performing the show’s song “For the Gaze” and flawlessly executing numerous costume changes, even slipping into iconic roles such as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” and Liza Minnelli’s daughter on stage. It would be fitting to award her a Tony for her outstanding multitasking skills.
Best Memento
Back in 2018, as I stepped up on stage to receive the top prize for my performance in “Yellow Face,” I was proudly donning a tuxedo that had been passed down to me by the legendary Alvin Ing. This very suit, tailored for him during the opening of “Pacific Overtures” on Broadway in 1976, was handed over to me two decades ago with the hope that I would wear it when I accepted my Tony Award. And here I am, standing on this stage, a testament to the encouragement and inspiration I’ve drawn from generations of talented Asian artists who came before me, yet never received the recognition they truly deserved.
Most Wanderlust-Inducing Performance
The ensemble from “Buena Vista Social Club” transported viewers to Cuba without the need for plane tickets, through an extraordinary, electrifying rendition of “Candela”. This show boasts 11 nominations and has garnered awards for Best Choreography, while the musicians were honored with a Special Tony Award, acknowledging their exceptional musical abilities.
Best Potential Crossover
During a rendition of Bobby Darin tunes from the musical “Just in Time”, nominee Jonathan Groff playfully climbed onto Keanu Reeves’ seat, mounted him (who was about to make his Broadway debut), and sang with Reeves’ head positioned near his legs. This unconventional approach might be what’s needed to attract young audiences to a revival of “Waiting for Godot”.
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Best Souvenir
In his speech upon being cast as Hester in the musical “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical”, Jak Malone playfully suggested to the audience that they might have unknowingly picked up a small memento from the performance. Essentially, if you appreciated his portrayal of Hester, it could mean you’ve said goodbye to cynicism, old-fashioned thoughts, and that limiting duality, and embraced a vibrant world that is beautifully colorful and won’t disappear anytime soon. Not every Broadway performance leaves you with a tangible souvenir!
First Play-Off of the Night
Kara Young not only won Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her performance in Purpose, which later became the Best Play winner, but she also earned the distinction of being the first person ever to be cut off during an acceptance speech due to its length. It’s worth noting that she had numerous people to thank, with her mother being at the top of the list.
Best Reinvention
Previously recognized primarily as a former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger has undeniably found a new niche on Broadway. Her rendition of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard garnered a standing ovation, indicating warm reception and acceptance.
Most Musical Musical Moment
If someone mentions they dislike musicals, it’s likely they’re recalling a production similar to “Pirates: The Penzance Musical”. A group of around three dozen individuals, dressed as sailors and their associates, wore washboards and sang tunes from the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. For musical enthusiasts, there was probably much to appreciate, but it’s unlikely that it would convert any skeptics.
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2025-06-09 05:06