The curtains have just risen on the tony nominations 2025, and Broadway is buzzing with excitement! Announced on May 1, 2025, by Tony winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce, this year’s nominees for the 78th Annual Tony Awards celebrate a vibrant 2024-2025 season packed with 42 eligible productions—21 plays and 21 musicals. From dazzling debuts to star-studded revivals, the tony nominations 2025 spotlight a mix of Hollywood heavyweights, Latino talent, and groundbreaking shows like Oh, Mary! and Maybe Happy Ending. With the awards set for June 8, 2025, at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, let’s dive into the drama, surprises, and standout moments of this historic race.
Tony Nominations 2025: A Season of Star Power
This year’s tony nominations 2025 reflect a Broadway season bursting with A-list names and fresh voices. Shows like Oh, Mary!, a comedic gem, and Maybe Happy Ending, a futuristic musical, are expected to lead the pack, with Sunset Boulevard also in the spotlight. Kieran Culkin could make history with a nomination for Good Night, and Good Luck, potentially completing an awards triple crown. Other Hollywood stars like Jake Gyllenhaal (Othello), George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck), and Denzel Washington (Othello) are strong contenders, raising the stakes in a competitive field. Meanwhile, Latino-led productions like Real Women Have Curves are earning buzz, signaling a push for diversity.
The nominating committee, 62 theater pros, had a tough job. With 14 new musicals and 14 new plays eligible, categories are packed. Deadline noted the fierce competition, especially with movie stars dominating box offices. Will they sweep the awards too? Only time will tell, but the buzz is electric.
Standout Shows and Performers in Tony Award Nominations 2025
The tony award nominations 2025 highlight a blend of innovation and nostalgia. Here’s a quick look at some frontrunners:
- Best Musical: Maybe Happy Ending and Dead Outlaw are near-locks, with A Wonderful World and Boop! also in the mix. Boop! desperately needs a nod to boost its struggling box office.
- Best Play: Oh, Mary!, John Proctor Is the Villain, and The Hills of California lead, with English (a Pulitzer winner) a strong contender.
- Leading Actors: Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!), Denzel Washington, and Jake Gyllenhaal are favorites, with Kit Connor (Romeo + Juliet) as a wildcard.
- Featured Actors: Bernadette Peters (Old Friends) could set a record with a 53-year nomination gap, alongside Jinkx Monsoon and Lea Salonga.
Directors like Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) and Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Boulevard) are also tipped for nods. The variety of talent—from veterans like Peters to newcomers like Connor—makes this year’s race unpredictable and thrilling.
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Tony Nominations 2025: Special Honors and Surprises
Beyond the main categories, the 2025 tony nominations include special awards that add heart to the season. Harvey Fierstein will receive a Lifetime Achievement Tony for his legendary contributions, from Torch Song Trilogy to Kinky Boots. Celia Keenan-Bolger earns the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her advocacy through the arts. Organizations like Great Performances, New 42, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will be honored with Tony Honors for Excellence, recognizing their behind-the-scenes impact.
Surprises? The eligibility rulings shook things up. Jinkx Monsoon, Bernadette Peters, and Lea Salonga will compete as featured actors, not leads, in their respective shows. The score for Smash was ruled ineligible, a blow to its campaign. These decisions, announced days before the nominations, sparked heated debates among fans on platforms like X.
When Are the Tony Awards 2025?
Mark your calendars: the 78th Annual Tony Awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 8:00–11:00 PM ET (5:00–8:00 PM PT). Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony returns to Radio City Music Hall for the first time in three years. The event promises glitz, emotional speeches, and maybe a few upsets. Fans can also join the Tony Awards Challenge, predicting winners for a chance to earn Audience Rewards ShowPoints—500 just for playing!
The nominations themselves were a spectacle, with select categories revealed on CBS Mornings at 8:30 AM ET, followed by a full announcement on the Tony Awards’ YouTube page at 9:00 AM ET. If you missed it, the complete list is now live at TonyAwards.com.
Why This Year’s Tony Nominations Matter
The tony nominations 2025 aren’t just about trophies—they reflect Broadway’s evolving landscape. This season’s diversity, from Latino representation to bold new works, signals a shift toward inclusivity. Yet, the dominance of Hollywood stars raises questions: Are celebrity names overshadowing theater veterans? Posts on X show fans split—some cheer the star power, others want more focus on unsung heroes.
The economic stakes are high too. A Best Musical nod can make or break a show’s box office, as seen with last year’s The Outsiders versus The Great Gatsby. With Boop! struggling, a nomination could be its lifeline. The Tony Awards remain a cultural touchstone, celebrating art while navigating commercial pressures.
Looking Ahead to June 8
As we count down to when are the tony awards 2025, anticipation is building. Will Oh, Mary! sweep? Can Culkin clinch history? Will underdogs like Dead Outlaw steal the spotlight? The beauty of the Tonys lies in their unpredictability. Every nominee, from the spotlight-stealing star to the unsung stagehand, brings something special to this season.
So, grab your playbill and join the conversation. Predict your winners, stream the nominated shows, or catch a Broadway performance before June. The tony nominations 2025 have set the stage for a night of drama, laughter, and maybe a few tears. Broadway’s biggest night is coming, and it’s going to be one for the history books.