EVENT ENDEDLast updated June 09, 2025, 12:23 AM EST

Tony Awards 2025 highlights: 'Maybe Happy Ending' wins big, Cynthia Erivo hosts, 'Hamilton' cast reunites

This version of Tony Awards 2025 Live Updates Rcna211077 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.

This year's show, held on Sunday, returned to New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

The 78th Tony Awards hit all the right notes. Here's what to know:

  • "Maybe Happy Ending," which follows two helper-bots who discover each other in Seoul, dominated the night, winning six awards, including best musical. Darren Criss, who co-starred, also scored his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical.
  • Meanwhile, in the play categories, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” took home three awards during the preshow. “Oh Mary!” a comedy about Mary Todd Lincoln, took home two awards, including one for its creator and star Cole Escola.
  • The acting categories were stacked with a slew of Hollywood stars, including Sarah Snook, who took home her first Tony for best performance by a leading actress in a play for “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger also won her first Tony for her role as faded Hollywood actress Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of “Sunset Boulevard.”
  • The original cast of Lin Manuel-Miranda's beloved musical "Hamilton," one of Broadway’s top-grossing shows, reunited for a highly anticipated nostalgic medley performance in honor of the show's 10th anniversary (aka "Hamilten").
  • “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, a Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning actor and singer, hosted the 78th annual Tony Awards, which this year returned to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
150d ago / 12:23 AM EST

Tony Awards highlights in 3 minutes

Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the awards show was a night of first-time winners and big performances. Watch below.

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Watch highlights from the 2025 Tony Awards in under 3 minutes
151d ago / 11:16 PM EST

Cynthia Erivo sings out the 2025 Tony Awards

With a rendition of "And I am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" from the Tony-winning musical "Dreamgirls," summing up the big events of the night, Erivo sang the audience out following the final award.

Her last note, evoking Effie White at her breaking point in the 1981 show, was met with a standing ovation as the telecast ended.

151d ago / 11:09 PM EST

Nicole Scherzinger accepts the award for best actress in a musical

Winning the Tony for her Broadway debut, Scherzinger thanked God, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and her fiancé, Tom, after her win for performing in "Sunset Boulevard." She also thanked her co-star, Tom Francis, for "letting me cut your head off every night."

She closed by saying she felt like she didn't belong for a long time. She said she now feels accepted.

"If there’s anyone who feels like they don’t belong or your time hasn’t come, don’t give up," Scherzinger said. "Just keep on giving and giving, because the world needs your love and your light more than ever. This is a testament that love always wins.”

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Nicole Scherzinger says Tony win is a 'dream come true'
151d ago / 11:07 PM EST

Darren Criss dedicates award to late father and brother

In an emotional speech after his win for best lead actor in a musical, Darren Criss thanked an range of people — particularly his wife, Mia, to whom he expressed gratitude for taking on the brunt of childrearing as he chased his dreams.

“Your love and your support for me and our beautiful children, combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as ‘Maybe Happy Ending,’ has been and will always be award enough,” Criss said.

He closed his speech by dedicating his Tony Award to the memory of his father, Bill, and his brother, Chuck.

151d ago / 11:05 PM EST

Best musical

“Maybe Happy Ending” wins the best musical Tony.

151d ago / 11:01 PM EST

Best performance by a leading actress in a musical

Nicole Scherzinger wins the best performance by a leading actress in a musical Tony for “Sunset Boulevard.”

151d ago / 10:54 PM EST

Best performance by a leading actor in a musical

Darren Criss wins the best performance by a leading actor in a musical Tony for “Maybe Happy Ending.”

151d ago / 10:47 PM EST

Oprah gets a (toy) car from Cynthia Erivo

Oprah Winfrey is getting the Oprah Winfrey treatment from host Cynthia Erivo, who told the mogul she has a surprise gift under her seat.

Winfrey, seated next to BFF Gayle King, checked and sure enough: Candy and a red toy car were waiting for her.

“You get a car,” Erivo said, referring to Winfrey's longtime act of giving her talk show audiences gifts during tapings. “I’ve been waiting all night to do that.”

151d ago / 10:35 PM EST

Audra McDonald performs song from 'Gypsy' revival

McDonald performed the number "Rose's Turn," the show-stopping number near the end of the musical, for which she is nominated tonight for best leading actress in a musical. "Gypsy" had a total of five nominations this evening.

151d ago / 10:34 PM EST

Best revival of a musical 

“Sunset Boulevard” wins the revival of a musical Tony.

151d ago / 10:30 PM EST

Four categories to go

With about 30 minutes left, the Tonys have about four categories left to get through:

  • Best performance by a leading actress in a musical
  • Best performance by a leading actor in a musical
  • Best revival of a musical
  • Best musical

Let's see if the show actually wraps up on time. With Cynthia Erivo singing people off stage when they go overtime in their speeches, it's possible.

151d ago / 10:27 PM EST

It's quiet on politics so far

The Tonys appear to have taken a note from other awards shows this year and largely shied away from making any overtly political statements.

In their acceptance speeches, some winners have alluded to “divisions,” “challenging times” and the importance of theater — but few have directly mentioned any actual current events.

151d ago / 10:26 PM EST

Cole Escola shouts out a Grindr match in acceptance speech

Cole Escola was out of breath as they accepted their best lead actor award. Escola thanked a slew of people in their speech, including someone from the dating app Grindr.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show

Cole Escola accepts the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play award for "Oh, Mary!" Theo Wargo / Getty Images

The creator and star of “Oh, Mary!" beat George Clooney ("Good Night, and Good Luck"), Jon Michael Hill ("Purpose”), Daniel Dae Kim (“Yellow Face”), Harry Lennix (“Purpose”) and Louis McCartney (“Stranger Things: The First Shadow”).

151d ago / 10:13 PM EST

Best performance by a leading actor in a play

Cole Escola wins the best lead actor in a play Tony for “Oh, Mary!”

151d ago / 10:08 PM EST

Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo harmonize for in memoriam tribute

Bareilles and Erivo sang "Tomorrow" from "Annie" while honoring those in the theater community who died over the last year.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show

Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo perform. Theo Wargo / Getty Images

The song is from three-time Tony Award winner and composer Charles Strouse, who died this year at age 96.

151d ago / 10:07 PM EST

Michael Arden wishes 'a happy Pride' to queer viewers

Arden, taking home the fourth award of the night for "Maybe Happy Ending," gave a shoutout to the queer people watching tonight, telling them, "Happy Pride."

"The darker it gets, the more we need the light," he said earlier in his acceptance speech.

151d ago / 10:04 PM EST

Sam Pinkleton shouts out writer and star Cole Escola

In accepting the award for "Oh, Mary!" Pinkleton thanked Escola for teaching an important lesson.

"You have taught me to make what you love and not what you think people will like," Pinkleton told Escola.

This was the first award of the night for "Oh, Mary!"

151d ago / 10:02 PM EST

Best direction of a musical

Michael Arden wins the best direction of a musical Tony for “Maybe Happy Ending.”

151d ago / 9:59 PM EST

Best direction of a play

Sam Pinkleton wins the best direction of a play Tony for “Oh, Mary!”

151d ago / 9:59 PM EST

'Hamilton' cast performs a medley of iconic songs

What's his name, man?

Ten years after the debut of Broadway’s iconic “Hamilton,” the original cast kicked off the most anticipated performance of the night dressed in all-black suits.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show

Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of "Hamilton" perform. Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro

The stars sang a rapid medley of “Non-Stop” to “My Shot” to “The Schuyler Sisters,” followed in quick succession by “Guns and Ships,” “You’ll Be Back” and “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down).” Last, the cast rotated through “The Room Where It Happens” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” before it closed out with “Alexander Hamilton.”

Everyone in the room gave the performance a standing ovation.

151d ago / 9:47 PM EST

We're ready to go Ham for 'Hamilton'

Erivo is currently introducing the highly anticipated "Hamilton" reunion performance.

The stage is set and we're ready.

151d ago / 9:42 PM EST

Jesse Eisenberg introduces 'Floyd Collins' performance

The actor, writer and playwright appeared at the Tonys to announce a performance by the "Floyd Collins" cast.

The musical is up for six awards tonight, including best revival of a musical.

Eisenberg, who most recently wrote, directed and starred in Oscar nominee “A Real Pain,” is among the star-studded lineup presenting tonight.

151d ago / 9:42 PM EST

Best revival of a play

“Eureka Day” wins the best revival of a play Tony.

151d ago / 9:33 PM EST

Nominee Mia Farrow's date is her son Ronan

Journalist Ronan Farrow posted a video from inside Radio City Music Hall, writing he's at the Tony awards "momaging" Mia Farrow.

Farrow was nominated in the best leading actress in a play category for her role in "The Roommate." She lost to Sarah Snook.

151d ago / 9:25 PM EST

Best play was a particularly competitive category

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ "Purpose" took home the best play Tony, edging out another Pulitzer-winner, "English,” as well as Pulitzer finalist "Oh Mary!"

Other nominees in the category were “The Hills of California” and “John Proctor Is the Villain."

151d ago / 9:21 PM EST

Best play

“Purpose” wins the best play Tony.

151d ago / 9:21 PM EST

Ben Stiller makes a Knicks joke

Introducing the next segment, introducing the nominees for best play, Ben Stiller told audience members that the theater is where he feels most at home.

“The stage has been a constant sanctuary for me, dating all the way back to last week when the Knicks lost the Eastern Conference finals,” Stiller joked, rousing cheers. “Thank you. I was told there’s a huge crossover between theater lovers and sports fans."

151d ago / 9:14 PM EST

'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' cast takes the stage

Ramin Karimloo, Jinkx Monsoon and David Hyde Pierce, cast members from '"Pirates! The Penzance Musical," gave a swashbuckling musical performance of We Sail the Ocean Blue."

The show is nominated for one award tonight: best revival of a musical.

151d ago / 9:06 PM EST

Erivo does black and white news broadcast

Cynthia Erivo read the news and was pretty good at it, according to sources at NBC News who are live blogging the Tonys.

The bit, which was broadcast in black and white, was a reference to George Clooney and his nominated "Good Night, and Good Luck," which is about veteran CBS newscaster Edward R. Murrow.

151d ago / 9:05 PM EST

Best performance by a featured actress in a musical

Natalie Venetia Belcon wins the best performance by a featured actress in a musical Tony for “Buena Vista Social Club.”

151d ago / 8:58 PM EST

Nicole Scherzinger gets standing ovation for 'Sunset Boulevard' performance

Nicole Scherzinger wowed the crowd with "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Jamie Lloyd’s revival of “Sunset Boulevard."

The former Pussycat Dolls singer is nominated for her first Tony for her role as Norma Desmond, a faded Hollywood actress longing for a comeback.

“Don’t ever, ever, ever give up because you never know when your time is coming. I feel so grateful right now,” she told Today.com after nominations were announced.

151d ago / 8:56 PM EST

Cynthia Erivo gives her first sing-off of the night

Kara Young gave a heartfelt speech that ran a little too long. As she doled out her final thanks, Cynthia Erivo’s voice permeated the room, prompting Erivo’s first promised sing-off of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra of the night (a cue for winners to wrap up their speeches).

"Sorry, Cynthia," Young quipped as she rushed off the stage.

151d ago / 8:49 PM EST

Best performance by a featured actress in a play

Kara Young wins the best performance by a featured actress in a play Tony for “Purpose.”

151d ago / 8:48 PM EST

Jonathan Groff crawls over the audience during 'Just in Time' performance

Groff bounced from on stage to on top of the crowd while performing a lively medley from "Just in Time." That included crawling on Keanu Reeves’ chair, which delighted the audience (and at-home viewers).

The actor-singer is nominated in the best actor category for his role as Bobby Darin in the show. He's also slated to perform alongside the rest of the OG "Hamilton" crew during their planned reunion onstage tonight.

151d ago / 8:43 PM EST

We're not used to seeing Erivo in pink

We're used to seeing Cynthia Erivo in green, thanks to our collective obsession with "Wicked" and her character, the beloved Elphaba.

But tonight, the host's outfit change includes a puffy pink dress. She walked down the aisle of the venue before introducing a performance by nominee Jonathan Groff, who she joked makes "everyone wet" (a reference to the fact that he spits while performing as King George in "Hamilton").

151d ago / 8:37 PM EST

Best performance by a featured actor in a musical

Jak Malone wins the best performance by a featured actor in a musical Tony for “Operation Mincemeat.”

151d ago / 8:36 PM EST

'Buena Vista Social Club' cast performs

The cast of “Buena Vista Social Club" gave a lively performance of “Candela," a number from the hit Cuban musical.

The show has already picked up three awards tonight. The musical's band is also among those receiving special honors and awards tonight.

151d ago / 8:31 PM EST

Francis Jue thanks Asian artists who paved the way for his Tony win

During his acceptance speech, Jue said he only could win this award because of the Asian artists who came before him but didn't get the same opportunities.

He ended his speech by alluding to the current political climate and offering encouraging words to viewers at home.

"To those who don’t feel seen, to those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At it’s best, this community sees you." he said. "I hope that encourages you to be brave, to dream and to dream big."

151d ago / 8:26 PM EST

Erivo warns she will 'sing you off' if acceptance speeches go over

Cynthia Erivo is warning tonight’s winners to stay within their time windows: 90 seconds from the time they get up to make their speeches.

“If you go over, you will be played off or I will sing you off,” Erivo said, as the line “and now the end is near” from Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played on cue.

“Don’t mess with me. I’ve been known to cast a few spells in my time,” Erivo added. “And, most importantly, speak from the heart.”

151d ago / 8:24 PM EST

Best performance by a featured actor in a play

Francis Jue wins the best performance by a featured actor in a play Tony for “Yellow Face.”

151d ago / 8:20 PM EST

Megan Hilty is doing it for the gaze (gays!)

In the first musical number from a nominated show, Megan Hilty pulled out all the stops while performing a song from “Death Becomes Her.”

The performance included quick changes, headdresses, a Liza Minelli homage and a cavalcade of fabulous dancers.

151d ago / 8:17 PM EST

'Succession' star Sarah Snook is closer to an EGOT

Snook has already won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Shiv Roy on the HBO series "Succession." With her Tony award tonight, she's now halfway to an EGOT.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show

Sarah Snook accepts the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play award for "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Theo Wargo / Getty Images

And the Australian actress is not the only "Succession" star to be on the coveted four-award path. Jeremy Strong, who played her brother Kendall Roy on the show, took home the prize for best leading actor in a play last year.

151d ago / 8:14 PM EST

Bill and Ted are taking on Broadway

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter — yes, Bill & Ted, faves of elder Millennials and Gen Xers — are hitting the stage this fall in the decidedly excellent Samuel Beckett play, "Waiting for Godot."

The two presented Sarah Snook with the first award of the show.

151d ago / 8:13 PM EST

Cynthia Erivo praises Broadway's most lucrative year ever

Introducing the Tony Awards after kicking off the show with an energetic musical performance, Cynthia Erivo notes that this year was Broadway’s most financially lucrative yet.

“Broadway is officially back. Provided if we don’t run out of cast members from ‘Succession,’” Erivo joked, later praising the nominees.

"This is American theater’s biggest night... Whatever happens tonight, congratulations to you all.”

151d ago / 8:12 PM EST

Best performance by a leading actress in a play

Sarah Snook wins the best performance by a leading actress in a play Tony for “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

151d ago / 8:06 PM EST

Erivo shows off her incredible voice

Sometimes all you need is a song ... from Cynthia Erivo, and a gospel choir, dressed in all white.

Erivo continued her opener with a song that gave shout outs to several nominees in the crowd, joking that "half of Hollywood did a play." The camera, of course, panned to George Clooney.

The star then walked through the aisles giving the mic to others to sing along, before ending the number on stage with the choir benhind her.

The room gave her a standing ovation.

151d ago / 8:03 PM EST

Cynthia Erivo kicks off show, with help from Oprah

Singer-actress Cynthia Erivo is already off to a great start.

One minute in, the awards show opener already included a joke about "Wicked" and the note she notoriously belts at "Defying Gravity."

There was also, of course, a reference to the "holding space" meme, with Erivo spotting Oprah on stage and holding her finger.

151d ago / 8:00 PM EST

It's showtime

After an hour-long pre-show, where a slew of awards were handed out, the official Tony Awards are now kicking off.

151d ago / 7:58 PM EST

Harvey Fierstein honored with Lifetime Achievement in the Theater award

Four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein was honored tonight for his writing, performance and advocacy.

"Don't make mommy cry," Fierstein joked as he began his speech. "Thank you so much you gorgeous people."

The actor said if everything had gone to plan, he'd be a retired art teacher. Instead, he volunteered for a play in Brooklyn, "and I found my community," he said.

"I was always accepted just as I was," said Fierstein, who known for his roles in multiple shows, including “Torch Song Trilogy” and “Hairspray,.

He thanked his mother, who drove him to rehearsals, and his brother, who he joked “used my shows as a personality test for his dates. If they freaked out seeing his drag queen brother, they were history."

The speech ended with the actor "dedicating his award to the audience and offering his thanks to his community.

151d ago / 7:53 PM EST

Best original score (music and/or lyrics) written for the theatre

Will Aronson (music and lyrics) and Hue Park (lyrics) win the best original score Tony for “Maybe Happy Ending.”

151d ago / 7:39 PM EST

Best costume design of a musical

Paul Tazewell wins the best costume design of a musical Tony for “Death Becomes Her.”

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show

Paul Tazewell accepts the best costume design of a musical award for "Death Becomes Her." Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro

151d ago / 7:37 PM EST

Best costume design of a play

Marg Horwell wins the best costume design of a play Tony for “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

151d ago / 7:35 PM EST

Celia Keenan-Bolger accepts Isabelle Stevenson Award

Sara Bareilles presented American actress and singer Celia Keenan-Bolger, who won a Tony Award for her role as Scout Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird," with the Isabelle Stevenson Award tonight.

The award honors "a member of the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations," according to the Tonys website.

Alongside the late Broadway star Gavin Creel, Keenan-Bolger co-created the Activist Artist Endowed Scholarship Fund "to help provide scholarship support to students in the Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan who are dedicated to service and social justice."

"She served on the advisory board of Broadway Impact, which worked (successfully) to advocate for same-sex-marriage rights throughout the country, as well as the Entertainment Community’s Looking Ahead Advisory Committee, and TDF’s Young Patron’s Committee," the Tonys wrote in its press release. "At the onset of the devastating COVID pandemic, Celia jumped into action to co-found “Broadway Feeds Bellevue,” a meal train service for nurses working in the ravaged NYC public healthcare system."

In her speech, Keenan-Bolger said "in honoring me, you're sending a message that the work of community care matters."

She also honored Creel onstage, asking attendees to honor his legacy by donating to a fellowship fund in his name.

151d ago / 7:25 PM EST

Theater teacher honored during Tonys preshow

Gary Edwin Robinson, who is head of the theater arts program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, accepted the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award during the preshow.

The award, which is presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, honors the achievement and impact of a K-12 theater educator in the U.S.

During his speech, the New York-based educator said he was born for the theater and thanked his students for being his rock.

151d ago / 7:22 PM EST

Best scenic design of a musical

Dane Laffrey and George Reeve win the best scenic design of a musical Tony for “Maybe Happy Ending.”

151d ago / 7:19 PM EST

Best scenic design of a play

Miriam Buether and 59 Studio win the best scenic design of a play Tony for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

151d ago / 7:09 PM EST

Best lighting design of a musical

Jack Knowles wins the best lighting design of a musical Tony for “Sunset Boulevard.”

151d ago / 7:07 PM EST

Best lighting design of a play

Jon Clark wins the best lighting design of a play Tony for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

151d ago / 7:03 PM EST

Best choreography

Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck win the best choreography Tony for “Buena Vista Social Club.”

151d ago / 6:52 PM EST

Best orchestrations

Marco Paguia wins the best orchestrations Tony for “Buena Vista Social Club.”

151d ago / 6:50 PM EST

Best sound design of a musical

Jonathan Deans wins the best sound design of a musical Tony for “Buena Vista Social Club.”

151d ago / 6:47 PM EST

Best sound design of a play

Paul Arditti wins the best sound design of a play Tony for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

151d ago / 6:47 PM EST

The preshow is here

The red carpet is winding down and the preshow is now airing on PlutoTV.

Expect several categories to be announced during this time.

151d ago / 6:45 PM EST

Best book of a musical

Will Aronson and Hue Park win the best book of a musical Tony for “Maybe Happy Ending.”

151d ago / 6:42 PM EST

Kristin Chenoweth praises the talent on Broadway this season

While walking the red carpet, the "Wicked" darling said she was thrilled by "so much talent and so much good work this season."

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Kristin Chenoweth at the Tony Awards. Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

She said her favorite production of the season was "Sunset Boulevard"

151d ago / 6:40 PM EST

It's a good night for George Clooney (and we wish him good luck)

George Clooney, who is nominated for his role in "Good Night and Good Luck," hit the carpet with wife Amal tonight.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Amal and George Clooney on the red carpet. Arturo Holmes / WireImage / Getty Images

The couple looks sharp, as always, as they gear up for a big night for the Hollywood star.

151d ago / 6:39 PM EST

Tonys host Cynthia Erivo arrives on the red carpet

It's Cynthia Erivo's big night taking the helm as the awards show host.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Cynthia Erivo on the Tony Awards red carpet. Arturo Holmes / WireImage

The British actress, who won a Tony Award in 2016 for her breakout performance in a revival of “The Color Purple," just debuted a new album and is gearing up for part two of the "Wicked" film (which hits theaters in November.)

In addition to hosting tonight, Erivo will take the stage again in August, when she is set to play Jesus in a one-weekend run of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Next year, she's also slated to star in a one-woman version of “Dracula” in London.

151d ago / 6:34 PM EST

Patti LuPone backlash is the backdrop at the Tonys

Comments made by Patti LuPone about her Broadway colleagues have divided the community ahead of the award show tonight.

In a May interview with the New Yorker, Lupone used an expletive word to refer to Kecia Lewis and described Audra McDonald as "not a friend." The comments from LuPone were so upsetting to some, that hundreds of theater performers, including Broadway actors, signed a letter calling the statements "degrading and misogynistic."

LuPone apologized on Instagram for her remarks last week.

"I am deeply sorry for the words I used during The New Yorker interview, particularly about Kecia Lewis, which were demeaning and disrespectful," she wrote.

She went on to write that she regretted her "flippant and emotional responses during this interview, which were inappropriate," adding she was devastated her behavior "has offended others and has run counter to what we hold dear in this community.”

Some have called on LuPone to be disinvited to the Tonys. It is unclear if she will be in attendance tonight.

LuPone co-starred in "The Roomates" with Mia Farrow this Broadway season.

151d ago / 6:31 PM EST

Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry helm Tonys preshow

Some awards will be announced during a preshow broadcast, hosted by Darren Criss (nominated this year for the first time for “Maybe Happy Ending”) and Renée Elise Goldsberry (who won a Tony in 2016 for her role in “Hamilton”).

It will air on Pluto TV beginning at 6:40 p.m. ET.

151d ago / 6:28 PM EST

Cole Escola is wearing a gown inspired by Bernadette Peters

Cole Escola, nominated tonight for “Oh, Mary!” says they feel like “a kid in a candy store” on the Tonys red carpet.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Cole Escola at the Tony Awards. Alyssa Greenberg / Getty Images

Escola says their floor-length ball gown is inspired by Bernadette Peters’ 1999 Tonys gown, her costume from the Broadway revival of “Annie Get Your Gun” — for which she won a Tony Award that year.

151d ago / 6:25 PM EST

'Buena Vista Social Club' is among the top nominees tonight

Learn more about the hit musical, which has 10 nominations this season, below.

151d ago / 6:23 PM EST

For the cast of 'Yellow Face,' the show is especially timely

Francis Jue, who is nominated for his performance in “Yellow Face,” says the show feels like it “came at exactly the right moment.”

“We’re in a really critical point in our country where we’re all asking ourselves, what does it mean to be American? Who gets to decide who’s American?” Jue told Playbill. “And it was great to represent Americans on stage on Broadway this season.”

His cast mate Daniel Dae Kim, who is nominated tonight for best actor in a leading role, echoed Jue’s sentiments.

“As artists, it’s nice to be able to tell those stories, to be the ones who are not in a classroom or making a documentary,” Kim said. “We’re able to share this message and at the same time entertain, and that’s a real privilege.”

Kim became the first Asian nominee in the category of best leading actor in a play.

151d ago / 6:18 PM EST

For Marjan Neshat, being nominated for 'English' is a 'dream come true'

Marjan Neshat, who is nominated for her performance in “English,” told Playbill that being at the Tony Awards tonight feels like “a dream come true.” 

“Right before we started rehearsal, Trump won again. Three days ago, there was a new travel ban,” Neshat said. “And so to have been a part of a play that is funny and romantic and nuanced but also speaks to the deeper reaches of what we’re all living with, it is profoundly moving to me.”

Both Neshat and fellow "English" nominee Tala Ashe have a chance to become the first female performers of Iranian descent to win a Tony Award.

151d ago / 6:15 PM EST

Julia Knitel says she hopes to inspire through theater

For Julia Knitel, being nominated at the Tony Awards is simultaneously “overwhelming” and “magical.” The actor is nominated tonight for her performance in “Dead Outlaw.”

“The little girl in me is freaking out so hard,” Knitel told Playbill on the red carpet. “I cried hysterically when I walked into Radio City this morning for our sound check.”

Knitel, the only female cast member in “Dead Outlaw,” added that the possibility of inspiring others to pursue theater or “create a life with more art in it” is part of what keeps her going.

151d ago / 6:05 PM EST

'Chess' stars tease the show's upcoming Broadway revival

Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher, who are starring in a Broadway revival of “Chess” this fall, said they are excited to bring the show to audiences.

“I’ve loved this music for so long, i’ve sung it for far too long at home in the shower, in the car,” Michele told Playbill on the red carpet. “I feel like I had an anthem for a really long time with ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’ and this music felt like a new anthem for me.”

Christopher described the show as “funny and beautiful and heartbreaking,” adding that it “really has something for everybody.”

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit at the Tony Awards. Jenny Anderson / Getty Images

Tveit further noted that “Chess” — a musical about Cold War themes and politics — is perhaps more relevant today than in the early 80s.

“Good art holds the mirror up to our society,” Tveit said. “So we hope that amidst the great music and humor and and great love story, that there’s going to be a little bit of thought that takes place for the audience that sees the show too.”

151d ago / 6:00 PM EST

How the 'Hamilton' cast is gearing up for their reunion performance

Tonight, Radio City Musical Hall is going to be the room where it happens.

The "it" being a "Hamilton" reunion that fans are already hyped about online.

So how does the cast get ready for such an affair? Morgan Marcell, an OG cast member, shared a series of videos documenting the behind-the-scenes experience of the "Hamil'TEN'" reunion on her Instagram page.

In her video, she said the Tonys reunion performance starts with composers Lin-Manuel Miranda (also known as Hamilton himself) and Alex Lacamoire creating the number, then sending it over to the choreographer. Then, the ensemble gets together and preps for hours before going to a movement rehearsal with the entire cast.

"We really do love each other," she says in the video. "Watching these people relearn something they created ... look at all these people. Bananas!"

151d ago / 6:00 PM EST

David Henry Hwang says revival of 'Yellow Face' is 'more relevant today'

Playwright David Henry Hwang said that revisiting his semi-autobiographical play “Yellow Face” was gratifying and "maybe more relevant today."

"It's been really gratifying to see that a play that I wrote really 15 years ago or so feels maybe more relevant today at a time when this whole notion of 'Who is American?' is being re-litigated," Hwang told Variety on the red carpet ahead of the Tonys.

"Yellow Face" is nominated tonight for best revival of a play. For those who didn't catch it on Broadway, the show is streaming on PBS, Hwang added.

151d ago / 5:44 PM EST

Sarah Snook has some help getting ready for the Tonys

Sarah Snook, who stars in "The Picture of Dorian Gray," shared a photo to Instagram of four different people helping her to get ready for the show.

"What it takes to get ready," she wrote in the caption.

The "Succession" alum is nominated for best leading actress in a play tonight.

151d ago / 5:41 PM EST

A rainy New York City afternoon on awards night

As Broadway stars continue to arrive at Radio City Music Hall, light rain has started to fall in New York City.

Luckily, the Tonys start at 8 p.m. ET, so once they walk the carpet, attendees will be able to avoid getting their glam outfits wet.

151d ago / 5:36 PM EST

'Good Night, and Good Luck' becomes first Broadway show to be broadcast live

CNN on Saturday aired a performance of the Broadway production "Good Night, and Good Luck." The Tony-nominated play, which stars George Clooney, is based on the 2005 movie of the same name (which Clooney also starred in and co-wrote). It follows veteran CBS newscaster Edward R. Murrow as he gears up to challenge then-Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

“Although McCarthyism was bad, it wasn’t anywhere near as pervasive as it is right now, the kind of fear that you see kind of stretching through law firms and universities,” Clooney told CNN's Anderson Cooper in a recent interview.

The play, which is nominated for five awards tonight, recently broke a box office record when it grossed more than $4 million in one week, according to NBC's "TODAY" show.

151d ago / 5:33 PM EST

'Hamilton' cast on carpet: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom Jr. & Daveed Diggs 

The OG stars of "Hamilton" have started arriving on the Tonys red carpet.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Renée Elise Goldsberry at the Tony Awards.  Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

The cast is gearing up for a reunion tonight.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Daveed Diggs at the Tony Awards. Arturo Holmes / WireImage / Getty Images

The performance will celebrate the show's 10th anniversary.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Leslie Odom Jr. Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

Those participating include: Carleigh Bettiol, Andrew Chappelle, Ariana DeBose, Alysha Deslorieux, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Sydney James Harcourt, Neil Haskell, Sasha Hutchings, Christopher Jackson, Thayne Jasperson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Stephanie Klemons, Morgan Marcell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Phillipa Soo, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes and Voltaire Wade-Greene.

151d ago / 5:24 PM EST

'English' writer reflects on Tony nominations in wake of travel ban

Ahead of the show tonight, Sanaz Toossi, the Iranian American playwright whose play “English” is nominated for several Tony Awards, touched on President Donald Trump's new travel ban.

The ban, which starts Monday, affects nationals from 19 countries, including Iran. Toossi wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning play, about a language test-prep class in Iran, eight years ago "as a response to the (first) Travel Ban," she said in an Instagram post on Friday. She described the new travel ban as "more expansive in its hatefulness," but said "that does not mean it is less Islamophobic than the first."

"To stand in this moment, where it's all in the same room-- the grief and the celebration, the violence and the art -- is not unique to only me," she wrote. "Maybe we can breathe through the nausea together."

Trump has said the ban is necessary to preserve national security and prevent terrorism in the U.S.

Toossi then dove into what it means to her to be Iranian and Middle Eastern, saying her play was "an attempt to transmute rage and bewilderment. I will never really understand the ways Iranians are willfully misunderstood."

She said the play is meant “to ask: why do we only make sense to you when we are being brutalized? Is that how you would want to be known?”

The show is nominated in five categories, including best play, best direction of a play, best scenic design of a play, and two acting nominations for featured actress.

"I think it's important to hold onto the possibility that art can change the world, even if you are pretty sure art cannot change the world," she wrote in the Instagram post, noting she wants to celebrate he historic nominations of the play's stars, Marjan Neshat and Tala Ashe.

151d ago / 5:06 PM EST

Tom Felton says he's ready to step back into Draco Malfoy's shoes

Tom Felton, who is headed to Broadway to reprise his role as Draco Malfoy in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” said he’s happy to be following in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe, who has also waded into the Broadway world post-“Harry Potter.”

“What actor wouldn’t want to do Broadway?” Felton told Playbill on the red carpet. “I mean, it’s one of the greatest cities, if not the greatest city, in the world, and it’s the home of some of the best theater musicals.”

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals

Tom Felton at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Though it has been more than a decade since he embodied Malfoy onscreen, Felton said he expects to slip back into the role fairly easily.

“As soon as they put the wig, the blond hair, back on, I got very teary. And the Draco clothes and his regalia, his rings and shoes,” Felton said. “He feels like a best mate that I haven’t seen for a long time.”

Asked later by Variety whether controversy surrounding Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling's political views has affected him, Felton said he's “not really that attuned to” it all.

“The only thing I always remind myself is that I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world ... and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter,” Felton said. “And she’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”

151d ago / 4:50 PM EST

Tonys 2025: Read the full list of nominees

Best new musical

“Buena Vista Social Club”

“Dead Outlaw”

“Death Becomes Her”

“Maybe Happy Ending”

“Operation Mincemeat”

Best new play

“English”

“The Hills of California”

“John Proctor Is the Villain”

“Oh, Mary!”

“Purpose”

Best musical revival

“Floyd Collins”

“Gypsy”

“Pirates! The Penzance Musical”

“Sunset Boulevard”

Best play revival

“Eureka Day”

“Our Town”

“Romeo + Juliet”

“Yellow Face”

Best leading actress in a play

Laura Donnelly, “The Hills of California”

Mia Farrow, “The Roommate”

LaTanya Richardson Jackson, “Purpose”

Sadie Sink, “John Proctor Is the Villain”

Sarah Snook, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Best leading actor in a play

George Clooney, “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Cole Escola, “Oh, Mary!”

Jon Michael Hill, “Purpose”

Daniel Dae Kim, “Yellow Face”

Harry Lennix, “Purpose”

Louis McCartney, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”

Best leading actress in a musical

Jasmine Amy Rogers, “Boop! the Musical”

Megan Hilty, “Death Becomes Her”

Audra McDonald, “Gypsy”

Nicole Scherzinger, “Sunset Boulevard”

Jennifer Simard, “Death Becomes Her”

Best leading actor in a musical

Darren Criss, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Andrew Durand, “Dead Outlaw”

Tom Francis, “Sunset Boulevard”

Jonathan Groff, “Just in Time”

Jeremy Jordan, “Floyd Collins”

James Monroe Iglehart, “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical”

Best direction of a musical

Saheem Ali, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Michael Arden, “Maybe Happy Ending”

David Cromer, “Dead Outlaw”

Christopher Gattelli, “Death Becomes Her”

Jamie Lloyd, “Sunset Boulevard”

Best direction of a play

Knud Adams, “English”

Sam Mendes, “The Hills of California”

Sam Pinkleton, “Oh, Mary!”

Danya Taymor, “John Proctor Is the Villain”

Kip Williams, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Best featured actress in a play

Tala Ashe, “English”

Jessica Hecht, “Eureka Day”

Marjan Neshat, “English”

Fina Strazza, “John Proctor Is the Villain”

Kara Young, “Purpose”

Best featured actor in a play

Glenn Davis, “Purpose”

Gabriel Ebert, “John Proctor Is the Villain”

Francis Jue, “Yellow Face”

Bob Odenkirk, “Glengarry Glen Ross”

Conrad Ricamora, “Oh, Mary!”

Best featured actress in a musical

Natalie Venetia Belcon, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Julia Knitel, “Dead Outlaw”

Gracie Lawrence, “Just in Time”

Justina Machado, “Real Women Have Curves”

Joy Woods, “Gypsy”

Best featured actor in a musical

Brooks Ashmanskas, “Smash”

Jeb Brown, “Dead Outlaw”

Danny Burstein, “Gypsy”

Jak Malone, “Operation Mincemeat”

Taylor Trensch, “Floyd Collins”

Best book of a musical

“Buena Vista Social Club”

“Dead Outlaw”

“Death Becomes Her”

“Maybe Happy Ending”

“Operation Mincemeat”

Best scenic design of a play

Marsha Ginsberg, “English”

Rob Howell, “The Hills of California”

Marg Horwell and David Bergman, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Miriam Buether and 59, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”

Scott Pask, “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Best scenic design of a musical

Rachel Hauck, “Swept Away”

Dane Laffrey and George Reeve, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Arnulfo Maldonado, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Derek McLane, “Death Becomes Her”

Derek McLane, “Just in Time”

Best lighting design of a play

Natasha Chivers, “The Hills of California”

Jon Clark, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”

Heather Gilbert and David Bengali, “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Natasha Katz and Hannah Wasileski, “John Proctor is the Villain”

Nick Schlieper, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Best costume design of a play

Brenda Abbandandolo, “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Marg Horwell, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Rob Howell, “The Hills of California”

Holly Pierson, “Oh, Mary!”

Brigitte Reiffenstuel, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”

Best choreography

Joshua Bergasse, “Smash”

Camille A. Brown, “Gypsy”

Christopher Gattelli, “Death Becomes Her”

Jerry Mitchell, “Boop!”

Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Best orchestrations

Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber, “Just in Time”

Will Aronson, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Bruce Coughlin, “Floyd Collins”

Marco Paguia, “Buena Vista Social Club”

David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Sunset Boulevard”

Best sound design of a play

Paul Arditti, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”

Palmer Hefferan, “John Proctor Is the Villain”

Daniel Kluger, “Good Night, and Good Luck”

Nick Powell, “The Hills of California”

Clemence Williams, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Best original score

“Dead Outlaw,” David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna

“Death Becomes Her,” Julia Mattison and Noel Carey

“Maybe Happy Ending,” Will Aronson and Hue Park

“Operation Mincemeat,” David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts

“Real Women Have Curves,” Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez

Best costume design of a musical

Dede Ayite, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Gregg Barnes, “Boop!”

Clint Ramos, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Paul Tazewell, “Death Becomes Her”

Catherine Zuber, “Just in Time”

Best lighting design of a musical

Jack Knowles, “Sunset Boulevard”

Tyler Micoleau, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Scott Zielinski and Ruey Horng Sun, “Floyd Collins”

Ben Stanton, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Justin Townsend, “Death Becomes Her”

Best sound design of a musical

Jonathan Deans, “Buena Vista Social Club”

Adam Fisher, “Sunset Boulevard”

Peter Hylenski, “Just in Time”

Peter Hylenski, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Dan Moses Schreier, “Floyd Collins”

151d ago / 4:32 PM EST

Broadway broke records this year

Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, told Playbill that tonight is “the greatest culmination of an incredible season you could have.”

It was the highest-attended season since before the pandemic, he said, and Broadway broke records for gross revenue.

“The industry deserves a night to just celebrate after the season we had,” Laks said. “And I think, I mean, honestly, you feel it. People are really happy to be here. And so I’m hoping for a night of excitement, but also a night to kind of exhale and just appreciate what we have.”

Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, echoed Laks’ sentiments on the red carpet.

“Theater matters, and we knew it matters,” Hitchens said. “There’s nothing like going to the theater. It’s one of the last places where we truly all come from different places. We take the same journey together, and we have a dialog together.”

The Tonys can have a significant impact on the financial success of Broadway shows, as winning the biggest awards of the night often has the power to extend the lives of struggling shows. A Tony win can also help turn already-strong sellers into box office juggernauts.

151d ago / 4:25 PM EST

Cynthia Erivo is ready to host tonight's Tonys

Cynthia Erivo, who starred alongside Ariana Grande in the record-breaking film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” will host this year’s main show.

Erivo won her own Tony Award in 2016 for her performance as Celie in “The Color Purple.” She’s also a Grammy, an Emmy winner and a three-time Oscar nominee.

“Cynthia is a remarkable talent and with her deep roots in the theater community, we are honored to have her host this year’s Tony Awards on CBS,” Mackenzie Mitchell, CBS’ vice president of specials, said in a statement. “There is no doubt with her innate creativity and captivating presence, she will deliver an unforgettable evening highlighting the extraordinary achievements of this Broadway season.”

She has a big year ahead. Her new album, “I Forgive You,” debuted Friday. The second installment of “Wicked,” titled “For Good,” premieres Nov. 21 (its trailer also dropped last week).

In an interview with NBC’s "TODAY" show, Erivo said the opportunity to host the Tonys was "a dream come true."

"I couldn't say no," she said, joking that she didn't know at the time she'd be releasing her sophomore album ahead of the awards show weekend. "I'm just going for it. I'm just enjoy every single thing."

Erivo is taking the reins from three-time host Ariana DeBose, who will return to the stage as a presenter.

151d ago / 4:07 PM EST

Which Broadway stars are vying for 2025 Tony Awards

Take a look at some of this year's nominees.

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Broadway's biggest stars vying for 2025 Tony Awards
151d ago / 4:07 PM EST

How to watch the 2025 Tony Awards

The awards show takes place tonight at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, running from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. It will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

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Angela Yang
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Kalhan Rosenblatt

Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.

Michelle Garcia and Saba Hamedy contributed.
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