Tony Winners 2025: Complete List, Biggest Surprises & Historic Firsts of Broadway’s Biggest Night

Broadway’s biggest night returned to Radio City Music Hall on June 8 with the 78th Tony Awards, and the 2025 winners list is already rewriting record books. Hosted by Oscar and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony crowned “Maybe Happy Ending” as Best Musical and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose” as Best Play, while iconic productions like “Sunset Blvd.” and “Eureka Day” also took home major prizes. Star-power fueled the evening. Pop sensation Nicole Scherzinger clinched Best Actress in a Musical for her powerhouse turn in “Sunset Blvd.,” securing her first Tony after a decade-long transition from pop charts to the Great White Way. Television favorite Darren Criss added Best Actor in a Musical to his Emmy and Golden Globe collection, leading “Maybe Happy Ending” to a six-award sweep that included Best Original Score and Best Scenic Design. Film A-listers also left with hardware. Cole Escola edged out George Clooney for Best Actor in a Play thanks to the wildly irreverent “Oh, Mary!,” while Sarah Snook—fresh off her Emmy-winning “Succession” run—earned Best Actress in a Play for her kaleidoscopic, 26-character performance in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Beyond the trophies, the telecast delivered viral moments designed for next-day searches: a show-stopping “Hamilton” reunion during the In Memoriam, Cynthia Erivo’s live medley of Stephen Sondheim classics, and an emotional standing ovation for Lifetime Achievement recipient Harvey Fierstein. Key 2025 Tony 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 Musical: Darren Criss, “Maybe Happy Ending” • Best Actress in a Musical: Nicole Scherzinger, “Sunset Blvd.” • Best Actor in a Play: Cole Escola, “Oh, Mary!” • Best Actress in a Play: Sarah Snook, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” • Featured Actor in a Play: Francis Jue, “Yellow Face” • Featured Actress in a Play: Kara Young, “Purpose” • Featured Actor in a Musical: Jak Malone, “Operation Mincemeat” • Featured Actress in a Musical: Natalie Venetia Belcon, “Buena Vista Social Club” Why these winners matter for Broadway’s 2025–26 season Industry insiders expect immediate box-office bumps. “Maybe Happy Ending,” which follows two service robots who discover love in a near-future Seoul, has already announced an expanded national tour and a West End transfer for spring 2026. “Purpose,” a searing examination of activism on college campuses, is finalizing a premium streaming capture to reach global audiences, mirroring the post-Tony success of “Hamilton.” Diversity and representation took center stage. This year’s acting trophies spanned genres, ages and backgrounds—from K-pop–inspired choreography in “Buena Vista Social Club” to the all-Asian-American company of “Yellow Face,” which earned Francis Jue the night’s first ovation. Voters clearly rewarded boundary-pushing storytelling and non-traditional casting, signaling that Broadway’s post-pandemic renaissance is here to stay. What’s next With the 2025 Tony winners now etched in history, summer travelers are expected to drive ticket sales to record highs. Theater analysts project a 20 percent uptick in New York City tourism tied directly to Tony buzz, aided by discounted “Broadway Week” promotions and dynamic pricing strategies. Meanwhile, producers are already eyeing the 2026 race. Early contenders include Disney’s stage adaptation of “Encanto,” the Michael R. Jackson-penned “White Girl in Danger,” and the long-delayed revival of “Sweeney Todd” starring Daniel Radcliffe. For theater fans, the message is clear: secure those seats now. The 2025 Tony Award winners have ignited Broadway’s hottest summer in years, and the curtain is just going up.