The 2025 Tony Awards deliverd emotional speeches, standout wins, a viral Oprah moment and historic firsts for Broadway’s biggest night.
Broadway‘s biggest night brought a mix of emotional highs, dazzling performances, and history-making wins as the 78th Annual Tony Awards unfolded at Radio City Music Hall.
The breakout hit of the night was Maybe Happy Ending, a moving sci-fi musical about two helper robots in near-future South Korea. The show swept six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Director for Michael Arden, and Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Darren Criss, who beat out strong contenders like Jonathan Groff and Tom Francis. Darren Criss emotionally dedicated his win to his wife, Mia, for her unwavering support while he balanced life as a father of two and performing eight shows a week.
“Your love and 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,” Darren Criss said.
The night’s host, Cynthia Erivo, brought humor, heart, and a viral moment to her first turn as emcee. She turned down zany opening number ideas before meeting Oprah Winfrey backstage. When she asked Oprah for advice on how to handle the pressure, Oprah Winfrey simply said, “Be yourself.” Cynthia Erivo then recreated her viral “holding space” meme with a playful finger-grab and later told the audience, “There’s no place like home. And Broadway has always been mine,” in a nod to Wicked.
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Nicole Scherzinger stunned the crowd with her powerhouse performance of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Sunset Boulevard, introduced by Glenn Close, the original Norma Desmond. Nicole Scherzinger later took home the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Through tears, she shared, “Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong. But you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home, at last.”
Sarah Snook, widely known for her role as Shiv Roy in Succession, claimed her first Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Play for her demanding solo performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she portrayed 26 characters. Backstage, she revealed the Succession group chat lit up with congratulatory messages. “We’re all theater nerds deep down,” she said.
The Hamilton original cast reunion brought the house down with a celebratory 10-year anniversary medley featuring “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” and “The Room Where It Happens.”
Audra McDonald also delivered a show-stopping rendition of “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy, giving Nicole Scherzinger tough competition in one of the night’s most anticipated showdowns.
Elsewhere, Purpose snagged Best Play over Oh, Mary!, while Buena Vista Social Club and Stranger Things: The First Shadow also collected multiple awards.
In a historic and hilarious win, Cole Escola became the first nonbinary performer to win Best Leading Actor in a Play for their outrageous turn as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! Wearing an off-the-shoulder gown, they joked about luncheons with George Clooney, thanked their mom, and even gave a shoutout to “Tebow from Grindr.” Cole Escola urged creators to “trust that voice that says, ‘I think I’m right actually.’”
@cbs #ColeEscola accepting the Tony Award is a whole moment 😍 #TonyAwards #OhMary ♬ original sound – CBS
With heartfelt speeches, show-stopping performances, and moments that lit up both the stage and the internet, the 2025 Tony Awards celebrated the transformative power of theater while making space for bold new voices.
