Summary
The Tony Awards 2025 celebrated Broadway’s finest with groundbreaking wins and unforgettable performances. Maybe Happy Ending swept the awards with 6 wins, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Darren Criss. Purpose won Best Play, marking a second consecutive win for playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, while Nicole Scherzinger earned Best Actress in a Musical for Sunset Boulevard. The event was filled with historic milestones, powerful tributes, and a celebration of diversity and innovation in theater.
The Tony Awards 2025 brought glitz, history, and groundbreaking performances to the stage as Broadway’s best gathered at Radio City Music Hall on June 8. Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony celebrated excellence in theater while shining a spotlight on fresh talent and historic wins.
From a robot romance musical to iconic revivals and emotional tributes, here’s everything you need to know about the Tony Awards 2025 winners, must-see moments, and behind-the-scenes magic.
Best Musical: Maybe Happy Ending Dominates the Night
South Korea’s heartfelt musical Maybe Happy Ending was the biggest winner of the evening, scooping up 6 Tony Awards — including the highly coveted Best Musical.
This futuristic story of two outdated helper robots rediscovering love after being forgotten by society touched the hearts of critics and audiences alike.
Awards Won by Maybe Happy Ending:
- Best Musical
- Best Actor in a Musical: Darren Criss
- Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden
- Best Book of a Musical
- Best Original Score
- Best Sound Design (Musical)
Darren Criss delivered a moving acceptance speech, celebrating not just the creative team, but the growing diversity of Broadway in 2025.
Best Play: Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Another historic winner, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins made headlines as the first Black playwright to win Best Play two years in a row. His powerful play Purpose examines generational trauma and identity with gripping storytelling.
Actress Kara Young also made Tony history, winning Best Featured Actress in a Play for Purpose — making her the first Black actor to win the award in back-to-back years.
Acting Honors: Star Turns & Surprises
Best Actor in a Play: Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!
Comedian and playwright Cole Escola stunned audiences with a bold performance as a deeply reimagined Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! His blend of satire and poignancy earned him a well-deserved Tony.
Best Actress in a Play: Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Known for her role in Succession, Sarah Snook wowed the theater world by portraying 26 characters in a solo adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Her win reaffirmed her as a powerhouse performer.
Featured Acting Awards:
- Best Featured Actor in a Play: Francis Jue (Yellow Face)
- Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat)
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club)
Best Revival of a Musical: Sunset Boulevard
The iconic Sunset Boulevard returned in full glory, with Nicole Scherzinger dazzling as Norma Desmond. Her haunting performance earned her the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.
Other wins for Sunset Boulevard included:
- Best Lighting Design (Musical)
- Best Scenic Design
Dance & Design: Technical Brilliance on Display
The 2025 Tony Awards highlighted the immense effort behind the scenes. From choreography to sound and costumes, the night was a celebration of Broadway’s visual and auditory brilliance.
Notable Technical Winners:
- Best Choreography: Buena Vista Social Club
- Best Orchestrations: Buena Vista Social Club
- Best Costume Design (Musical): Death Becomes Her
- Best Lighting Design (Play): Stranger Things: The First Shadow
- Best Sound Design (Play): Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Special Awards and Lifetime Achievements
The ceremony also recognized long-time contributors to theater:
- Lifetime Achievement in Theatre: Harvey Fierstein
- Isabelle Stevenson Award: Celia Keenan-Bolger
- Regional Theatre Tony Award: The Muny in St. Louis
- Tony Honors for Excellence: Great Performances, New 42, NYPL for the Performing Arts
Musical Performances & Iconic Tributes
This year’s show wasn’t just about trophies—it was also packed with unforgettable performances.
- A star-studded Hamilton reunion brought Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., and Phillipa Soo together for the first time in years.
- Host Cynthia Erivo performed a touching tribute to late composer Charles Strouse, singing a heartfelt rendition of “Tomorrow” from Annie.
Diversity & History Made at the Tonys 2025
The Tony Awards 2025 made history with landmark wins and unprecedented representation:
- Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Kara Young set records for consecutive wins in their respective categories.
- Darren Criss became the first actor of Filipino descent to win Best Actor in a Musical.
- International productions like Maybe Happy Ending and Buena Vista Social Club dominated the spotlight, proving that Broadway is more global than ever.
Full List of Major Tony Awards 2025 Winners
Here’s a quick summary of the major 2025 Tony Award winners:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Musical | Maybe Happy Ending |
| Best Play | Purpose |
| Best Revival of a Musical | Sunset Boulevard |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Darren Criss |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Nicole Scherzinger |
| Best Actor in a Play | Cole Escola |
| Best Actress in a Play | Sarah Snook |
| Best Featured Actor in a Play | Francis Jue |
| Best Featured Actress in a Play | Kara Young |
| Best Direction of a Musical | Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) |
| Best Direction of a Play | Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) |
| Best Choreography | Buena Vista Social Club |
| Lifetime Achievement | Harvey Fierstein |
Also Read : Tony Awards 2025 Guide: Hamilton’s Return, Top Nominees, How to Watch & More
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Broadway
The Tony Awards 2025 wasn’t just another ceremony. It was a celebration of change, creativity, and inclusion. With unforgettable performances, historic wins, and groundbreaking productions, this year’s Tonys have redefined what Broadway can be.
If you’re a fan of theater, now’s the perfect time to book a ticket and witness these award-winning productions live. The future of Broadway is brighter—and more diverse—than ever.
FAQs
1. Who won Best Musical at the Tony Awards 2025?
Maybe Happy Ending, a South Korean musical about robot love, won Best Musical at the 2025 Tony Awards.
2. Who were the major acting winners at the 2025 Tonys?
- Best Actor in a Musical: Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending)
- Best Actress in a Musical: Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Boulevard)
- Best Actor in a Play: Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!)
- Best Actress in a Play: Sarah Snook (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
3. What play won Best Play at the 2025 Tony Awards?
Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won Best Play, making him the first Black playwright to win back-to-back Tonys.
4. Which revival won Best Revival of a Musical?
Sunset Boulevard won Best Revival of a Musical, with standout performances and top-tier production design.
5. What were the biggest surprises of the Tony Awards 2025?
Notable surprises included Kara Young’s historic consecutive win, Maybe Happy Ending’s massive sweep, and the Hamilton reunion performance featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda and original cast members.
6. Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025?
Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Theatre award.
7. Where was the 2025 Tony Awards held?
The event took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and was hosted by Cynthia Erivo.
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