New York: “Maybe Happy Ending,” a heartwarming, futuristic tale about two outdated helper robots exploring love, loneliness, and the essence of humanity, triumphed at the Tony Awards on Sunday. The show was crowned Best Musical, capping off a milestone season that saw Broadway rebound with record-breaking revenues and attendance in the post-pandemic era.
The musical secured three major awards, with Darren Criss earning his first Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for portraying Oliver, one of the gentle-hearted robots. Michael Arden also won Best Director of a Musical, further establishing the show’s critical acclaim.
A striking modern revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Blvd”. also had a successful night. It took home Best Revival of a Musical, while Nicole Scherzinger was honored with Best Actress in a Musical for her powerful performance as the aging screen star Norma Desmond.
In the dramatic category, “Purpose”, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, won Best Play. The story centers around a family’s fragile legacy that begins to unravel when their youngest son returns home with a mysterious guest, forcing long-buried secrets to the surface.
Host Cynthia Erivo, star of the upcoming Wicked film, opened the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall with a nod to viral Broadway culture. Her entrance mirrored Tom Francis’s widely shared post-intermission Manhattan stroll while singing from Sunset Blvd.
The 2024-25 Broadway season brought in $1.89 billion in gross revenue and drew 14.7 million attendees, the Broadway League announced, marking the industry’s most financially successful year to date.
Cole Escola won Best Lead Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!, an offbeat reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln’s life. The show’s blend of historical satire and absurdist humor also won Sam Pinkleton the award for Best Director of a Play.
Sarah Snook, famed for her role in HBO’s Succession, made a commanding Broadway debut and won Best Leading Actress in a Play for playing more than 20 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Hamilton Cast Reunites for 10th Anniversary
In one of the evening’s most electrifying moments, the original cast of Hamilton, led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, reunited for a dynamic medley celebrating the musical’s 10-year anniversary. Leslie Odom Jr. made a surprise appearance, reprising his role as Aaron Burr, which he will soon revisit in an upcoming limited-run performance.
Francis Jue received the award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for Yellow Face, paying tribute to pioneering Asian American actors. “This community sees you and I hope that encourages you to be brave, and to dream and to dream big,” he said.
Kara Young took home Best Featured Actress in a Play for the second consecutive year, honored this time for her performance in Purpose.
In musical categories, Natalie Venetia Belcon won Best Featured Actress in a Musical for portraying Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club. Jak Malone won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in Operation Mincemeat, a fast-paced WWII spy comedy based on a true story.
Best Revival of a Play was awarded to Jonathan Spector’s “Eureka Day”, a witty satire about parental disagreements over vaccine policies at a progressive school.
Also Read | Complete List of Winners at Broadway’s 2025 Tony Awards
Broadway’s Boom Comes with a Price
Despite the artistic highs, the season also highlighted rising concerns over affordability and accessibility. Premium seats for popular shows have soared past $400, with even discounted tickets increasingly elusive. Demand-based pricing, while lucrative, has led to worries that younger and casual audiences may be priced out.
Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, acknowledged the issue in a statement: “Rising costs have affected every facet of production, making it harder and harder to bring live theater to the stage.”
Still, the season was marked by diversity and inclusion, with productions led by Asian American, Black, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic artists earning widespread praise and recognition.
Finally, Harvey Fierstein, the four-time Tony Award-winning actor and playwright, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. “I dedicate this award to the people in the dark,” he said, “and I offer my most profound thanks to the people in my community.”
