The 2025 Tony Awards delivered an unforgettable night filled with star power, including performances by Cynthia Erivo and Oprah, along with a much-anticipated reunion from the cast of Hamilton. As always, the ceremony was rife with surprises and snubs that left awards-season prognosticators buzzing with excitement. Following our earlier predictions, here’s a closer look at the most significant twists and turns from the evening.
The competition for the Best Actress in a Musical award was as fierce as ever. Nicole Scherzinger, an early favorite for her electrifying performance in Sunset Boulevard, faced doubts from voters due to a recent social media incident involving a controversial baseball cap. As the ceremony approached, many believed the award would likely go to Audra McDonald for her powerful portrayal in Gypsy. However, in a thrilling upset, Scherzinger claimed the trophy, underscoring the competitiveness of this year’s awards.
Despite being a frontrunner, Audra McDonald narrowly missed out on her seventh Tony for her heart-wrenching role as Mama Rose in Gypsy. The revival was also a strong contender for Musical Revival, with its choreographer, Camille A. Brown, a five-time nominee still seeking her first win. Ultimately, Sunset Boulevard dominated the evening, securing top awards for both Musical Revival and Leading Actress in a Musical (Nicole Scherzinger), leaving many other nominees, including McDonald, disappointed.
The highly anticipated stage adaptation of the cult classic Death Becomes Her was among the trio of musicals that garnered 10 nominations this year. While Maybe Happy Ending won six awards, including Best Musical, and Buena Vista Social Club claimed four, Death Becomes Her only managed to secure a single win for costume designer Paul Tazewell. This outcome left many fans and critics surprised given the musical's popularity.
In the race for the Best Actor in a Musical award, Jonathan Groff appeared to be the favorite, celebrated for his compelling performance in the bio-musical Just in the Time. However, the talented Darren Criss, renowned for his roles in Glee and various Broadway productions, clinched the award for his charming portrayal of a robot in the futuristic romance Maybe Happy Ending. His victory added another layer of excitement to the night.
The Tony Awards kept viewers engaged with a fast-paced show that was rich in performances from the very beginning. Following the pre-telecast awards, the ceremony kicked off with a stunning win for Sarah Snook for her solo performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray. This was quickly followed by lively numbers from Death Becomes Her, Buena Vista Social Club, and Just in Time, all within the first hour. Notably, the award for Best Play was announced early in the evening, going to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins for Purpose.
Before the nominations were revealed, Dead Outlaw and Maybe Happy Ending emerged as the top contenders for the prestigious Best Musical award. This darkly comedic tale about a hapless wild-west figure earned critical praise during its Off-Broadway run and garnered seven nominations, including Best Musical. However, the show ended the night without a single win, a disappointing outcome for its fans.
In a closely watched category for Best Revival of a Play, many anticipated a win for Yellow Face, a play by David Henry Hwang that addresses themes of race and representation in the theater world. Despite its relevance, the award ultimately went to Eureka Day, a comedic examination of a group of parents navigating vaccine policies. Fortunately, Yellow Face did not leave empty-handed, as Frances Jue secured a Tony for her standout performance as a featured actor.
