Introduction to the Tony Awards
The Tony Awards, Broadway’s biggest night, is just around the corner, taking place on Sunday in the legendary Radio City Music Hall, New York City. This event marks a moment for an industry that not only recovered from the dark days of pandemic shutdowns but also rose to new creative and financial heights. With a record contract of $1.9 billion for the 2024–25 season, Broadway is thriving in its splendor of renewed interest, strengthened by a selection of shows.
When and How to Watch the Tony Awards
The Tony Awards will be broadcast on both coasts. In the USA, it will be shown on television on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. For those outside the USA, there are options to stream the event. A notable mention is the pre-show, which will be broadcast from 6:40 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Pluto TV, hosted by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry. The audience can access this on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app, or online by visiting Pluto TV and clicking on the "Live Music" channel.
Hosting the Tony Awards
This year’s Tony Awards will be hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, a three-time Oscar nominee and star of Evil. Erivo won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016 for The Color Purple and has just released her new album, I Give You. Her debut as a host of the Tony Awards promises to bring excitement and elegance to the event.
Awards and Nominations
A total of 26 competitive categories will be awarded, from lead and featured actors to scenic, costume, and lighting design. Some technical awards will be presented, and their winners may not appear in the live show but will be included in edited parts of the program. The top-nominated shows include Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Dead Law, each with 10 nominations.
Competing for Best New Play and Musical
For new musicals, the competition includes Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Law, Death Becomes Her, Maybe a Happy Ending, and Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical. For new plays, the nominees are English, The Hills of California, John Proctor is the Villain, Oh, Mary!, and Purpose. Many of the categories are unusually narrow this year, reflecting a Broadway that has largely recovered from the pandemic and is producing excellent work.
Historic Moments and Special Guests
Audra McDonald, the most nominated performer in Tony history, could expand her lead by winning another Tony for her role in a celebrated revival of Gypsy. Kara Young, the first black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years, could be the first black person to win two Tonys in a row if she wins for her role in Purpose. Daniel Dae Kim could be the first Asian winner in the category of Best Leading Actor in a Play for his work in a revival of Yellow Face. Additionally, Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are the first female actors of Iranian origin to be nominated for a Tony.
A Special Performance
The original cast of Hamilton will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show on Broadway with a performance that includes creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, Ariana Debose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan, and Phillipa Soo. This promises to be a highlight of the evening, showcasing the talent and enduring popularity of Hamilton.
Avoiding Past Mistakes
Producers aim to avoid any repetition of last year’s controversy when Jay-Z’s appearance with Alicia Keys was found to be pre-recorded, contrary to the live nature of the show. This year, the focus is on live performances that showcase the best of Broadway.
Broadway’s Big Season
The health of Broadway, once undoubtedly affected by the pandemic closures, is now very good in terms of box office sales. The 2024-2025 season reached $1.9 billion, the highest grossing season in recorded history, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of $1.8 billion in the 2018-2019 season. With almost 14.7 million ticket buyers, it’s the second-best season in terms of attendance, only surpassed by the 2018-2019 season. However, high ticket prices have raised concerns about the financial accessibility of Broadway shows. A revival of Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for the top-grossing play in Broadway history, with a gross of $2,818,297 for eight performances, including some seats priced up to $921.
