New York (AP) – Broadway’s No. 29 show Tony Award nominations are in for this season, but not every nominee walks away with a trophy.
As Broadway’s biggest night approaches, here are some key details on how to watch, who might make history, beloved favorites taking a victory lap, and much more. George Clooney on Broadway can be enjoyed from your own couch.
When is the Tony Award?
The Tony Awards will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8th, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, which is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.
How can I see them?
You can stream the event on CBS and Paramount+ in the U.S.
Who is hosting the Tony Awards?
The ceremony will be hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner (and three-time Oscar nominee) Cynthia Erivo. The “Evil” star will be making her debut as the host of The Tonys. She won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony in 2016 for “The Color Purple” and recently released her new album, “I Forgive You.”
The pre-show will air on Pluto TV from 6:40 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring several Tony awards presented. Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry will host this segment. Viewers can access it on smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile apps, or online Plus TV. Simply select the Live Music channel within the entertainment category.
Who can see it?
Presenters include Aaron Tveit, Adam Lambert, Alex Winter, Allison Janney, Ariana DeBose, and Ben Stiller. Other notable names include Bryan Cranston, Carrie Preston, Charlie Damelio, Daniel Brooks, Jean Smart, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Kelli O’Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, Lea Michele, and many more.
How many awards are there?
A total of 26 competitive categories are up for grabs, including best lead and featured actors, as well as scenic, costume, and lighting designs. Some technical awards may be pre-taped, with winners appearing only in edited segments during the live show.
What are the top candidates?
This year, three productions lead the pack. “Buena Vista Social Club,” inspired by Wim Wenders’ 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary, “Death Becomes Her,” based on the classic 1992 film, and “Maybe Happy Ending,” a rom-com musical about Android pairings, each have ten major nominations.
Who is competing for Best New Plays and Musicals?
For Best New Musical, contenders include “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Become a Death Boy,” “Maybe a Happy Ending,” and “Operation Min Sheet: A New Musical.”
In the Best New Play category, nominees include “English,” “California Hills,” “John Proctor is the Villain,” “Ah, Mary!” and “Purpose.”
This year’s competition is particularly captivating, and Broadway is thriving in the wake of the pandemic.
“I’ve never seen a year where I’ve been so surprised by the nominations. Each show brings something unique to the table,” commented Lowe Cunningham, a leading voter producer for the Tonys.
“It’s remarkable how the Broadway community has unified and risen with such incredible talent,” she joked. “I had to make everything else more difficult, and I’m grateful for it.”
Can history be made?
Audra McDonald, the most decorated performer in Tony Award history, may extend her lead. Already holding the record for most acting victories with six Tonys, she could further solidify her record with a win for her acclaimed role in the revival of “Gypsy.”
Kara Young, the first Black female actor nominated for a Tony for four consecutive years, could also make history by becoming the first Black actor to win two Tonys in a row for her role in “Purpose.”
Other potential milestones include Daniel Dae Kim, vying for a lead actor win in the revival of “Yellow Face,” and Mahsand Neshat and her co-star Tara Ash, who are competing to become the first Iranian female actors to win a Tony.
Special Guests
Typically, shows that have been running for several years don’t garner much attention from the Tony telecast, but “Hamilton” is an exception. The original cast will reunite to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary on Broadway, featuring 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.
What do producers want to avoid?
Last year’s electrifying reunion featuring Jay-Z and Alicia Keys drew attention for their live duet of “Empire State of Mind.” Unfortunately, this collaboration became a Hollywood distraction from the genuine embrace of live singing and dancing in the Broadway community.
A Thriving Season for Broadway
Broadway’s health, particularly from a box office perspective, has improved significantly, especially post-pandemic. The 2024-2025 season generated $1.9 billion, marking the highest growth in recorded history, surpassing the previous peak of $1.8 billion from 2018-2019.
In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, making it the second-highest participating season on record since 2018-2019. However, high ticket prices raised concerns about the financial accessibility of Broadway.
The revival of “Othello” featuring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal set the record for top-grossing shows in Broadway history, with an astounding $921 per ticket sold and a total of $2,818,297 for just eight performances.
How can you enjoy the shows?
If you can’t make it to Broadway this season, you can still catch one of the performances. The night before the Tonys, “Goodnight and Lucky,” which stars and was co-written by Tony nominee Clooney, will be streamed across CNN properties.
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For more information on the 2025 Tony Awards, visit https://apnews.com/hub/tony-awards.
Source: apnews.com