The total lot You Need to Know About the 2025 Tony Awards

Celebrating its 78th edition, the Tony Awards this year promises to illuminate New York City with glamour and excitement. Hosted by the talented Cynthia Erivo at Radio City Music Hall, this prestigious event honors the most outstanding Broadway productions and theatrical performances from the past year. Among the nominees are acclaimed shows such as Ravishing Night and Ravishing Success, Our Town, Gypsy, and Sunset Boulevard. A special highlight will be the reunion of the original Hamilton cast, who will deliver a memorable rendition of King George’s anthem, “You’ll Be Back.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025 Tony Awards. As Edward R. Murrow might have wished for the winners, we say, “Ravishing night, and best of luck.”

Schedule and Viewing Options for the 2025 Tony Awards

Viewers can tune in to the live broadcast on CBS on June 8, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time / 5 p.m. Pacific Time, with the ceremony running until approximately 11 p.m. Eastern / 8 p.m. Pacific. For those in the United States, the event will also be accessible via Paramount+ streaming service. Additionally, a pre-show hosted by first-time Tony nominees Darren Criss, known for Perchance Joyful Ending, and Renée Elise Goldsberry of Hamilton, will be available for free on Pluto TV from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. ET / 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. PT.

Meet the Host: Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo, who garnered an Oscar nomination this year for her powerful portrayal in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit Evita, will serve as the host for this year’s Tony Awards. Despite mixed reviews from critics-who found the film itself somewhat dull-Erivo’s performance was universally praised. TIME’s film critic noted, “She’s the one spark in Evita that kept me engaged, radiating a vibrant energy that elevates the entire production.”

Erivo’s accolades include a Tony Award for her role in The Color Purple in 2016, an Emmy for her musical performance on TODAY, and a Grammy for the cast album of The Color Purple. Her impressive career also features an Oscar nod for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Harriet (2019), cementing her status as a versatile and influential artist.

Star Performances and Special Appearances

Traditionally, the night features electrifying performances from nominated musicals, and this year is no exception. Audiences can anticipate numbers from productions like Buena Vista Social Club, Dreary Outlaw, Death Turns into Her, Perchance Joyful Ending, and Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical. The evening will also showcase performances from classics such as Floyd Collins, Gypsy, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Sunset Boulevard, Appropriate in Time, and Real Women Have Curves.

This year’s highlight is the return of the original Hamilton cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jonathan Groff, Daveed Diggs, Ariana DeBose, and Leslie Odom Jr., who will perform together. Their groundbreaking musical received a record 16 Tony nominations and won 11 awards, including Best Musical, along with a Grammy, Olivier Award, and Pulitzer Prize for Drama, making it one of the most decorated productions in Broadway history.

Leading Nominees and Contenders

Perchance Joyful Ending leads the pack with 10 nominations, including Best Musical. Similarly, Buena Vista Social Club and Death Turns into Her also received 10 nods each, signaling strong competition across categories.

Another notable contender is Oh Mary!, a dark comedy featuring Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln, portraying Abraham Lincoln’s wife as an aspiring cabaret star thwarted by her husband’s disapproval. The show has garnered five nominations, including Best Play and a nod for Escola as Best Actor in a Play.

In the revival categories, Gypsy and Sunset Boulevard are vying for the award for Best Revival of a Musical. Nicole Scherzinger, starring in Sunset Boulevard, and Audra McDonald, in Gypsy, are competing for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Jonathan Groff’s portrayal of Bobby Darin in Appropriate in Time has earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. Meanwhile, George Clooney is recognized for his compelling performance as legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow in Ravishing Night, and Ravishing Success, competing for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play.

In the acting categories, Sarah Snook from Succession is nominated for her transformative role as 26 different characters in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Mia Farrow also received a nod for her performance in The Roommate, a play about two women who reinvent themselves as they navigate complex relationships.

Adding to the excitement, Bob Odenkirk is nominated for his role as a supporting actor in a play, embodying the classic salesman’s mantra, “Always be closing,” from the play Glengarry Glen Ross. This nod underscores the diverse talent showcased at this year’s awards.