New York: Broadway celebrated its most outstanding achievements of the year on Sunday night at the 2025 Tony Awards, held at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. This year’s ceremony recognized bold storytelling, powerful performances, and a post-pandemic resurgence that has breathed new life into American theatre.
The futuristic and heartwarming musical Maybe Happy Ending emerged as the top winner, claiming Best Musical, with Darren Criss winning Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Oliver. The show’s director, Michael Arden, also took home the Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reimagined classic Sunset Blvd. also had a strong night, winning Best Revival of a Musical, and Nicole Scherzinger was awarded Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Norma Desmond.
In the world of drama, Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning work exploring generational trauma and faith, won Best Play. Kara Young, who starred in Purpose, secured her second consecutive Tony for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play.
Meanwhile, Oh, Mary! took home two top awards — Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Cole Escola and Best Direction of a Play for Sam Pinkleton — thanks to its innovative blend of satire and historical absurdity surrounding Mary Todd Lincoln.
Sarah Snook, of Succession fame, earned Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her Broadway debut in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she performed over two dozen characters.
Veteran actor Francis Jue won Best Featured Actor in a Play for Yellow Face, delivering a heartfelt message to aspiring Asian American artists during his acceptance.
Natalie Venetia Belcon won Best Featured Actress in a Musical for portraying Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club, while Jak Malone earned Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, a WWII-era comedic espionage tale.
Rounding out the top awards, Best Revival of a Play went to Eureka Day, a timely and sharp satire tackling public health, misinformation, and identity politics within a progressive school community.
Also Read | ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ dominates Tony Awards, celebrates Broadway’s record-breaking comeback
Full List of 2025 Tony Award Winners:
- Best Musical: Maybe Happy Ending
- Best Play: Purpose
- Best Revival of a Musical: Sunset Blvd.
- Best Revival of a Play: Eureka Day
- Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending
- Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd.
- Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!
- Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Francis Jue, Yellow Face
- Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Kara Young, Purpose
- Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
- Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Natalie Venetia Belcon, Buena Vista Social Club
- Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending
- Best Direction of a Play: Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary!
