Spotlight on Broadway: The 2025 Tony Awards nominees unveiled

The curtain has officially risen on this year’s most celebrated theatrical achievements as the 2025 Tony Awards nominees are finally here. A dazzling tribute to a season bursting with inventive musicals, gripping plays, daring revivals, and breakout stars, the list showcases a Broadway brimming with reinvention, representation, and a healthy dose of magic.

With the eligibility window closing just last week, the roster reflects a rich blend of original works, Hollywood imports, and global talent—proof that the stage remains a canvas for boundless imagination and unfiltered emotion.

The race for Best Musical and Best Play

Leading the charge in the Best Musical category are five diverse productions:

Buena Vista Social Club, a rhythm-filled tribute to Cuban music and legacy;

Dead Outlaw, a genre-bending tale of an American folk legend;

Death Becomes Her, the darkly comedic adaptation of the cult classic film;

Maybe Happy Ending, a poignant Korean import exploring the inner lives of robots; and

Operation Mincemeat, a critically adored British satire finally crossing the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, the Best Play contenders reflect a global and timely scope. English and Purpose confront identity and politics in intimate ways; John Proctor Is the Villain reinvents the canon through a Gen Z lens; The Hills of California captures Sam Mendes’ cinematic vision; and Oh, Mary!, starring Cole Escola, offers camp with emotional gravitas.

A season of star power and surprises

The acting categories are star-studded and fiercely competitive. In Best Actor in a Play, George Clooney scores a nomination for Good Night, and Good Luck, while Cole Escola’s audacious turn in Oh, Mary! secures a well-earned nod. Best Actress in a Play sees a mix of screen and stage royalty, with Mia Farrow, Sarah Snook, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson earning critical acclaim.

Over in the musical categories, Nicole Scherzinger dazzles in Sunset Boulevard, while Audra McDonald brings yet another powerhouse performance in Gypsy. Maybe Happy Ending star Darren Criss returns to Tony contention, joined by fan-favorite Jonathan Groff (Just in Time) and Broadway stalwart Jeremy Jordan (Floyd Collins).

Revival renaissance and technical triumphs

The Best Revival of a Play lineup honors four radically reimagined classics, including Eureka Day, Our Town, and Yellow Face—the latter especially relevant in today’s sociopolitical climate. Musical revivals shine, too, with Gypsy, Sunset Blvd., and Pirates! drawing fresh praise for reinventing beloved scores and staging.

Technical categories continue to reflect Broadway’s collaborative brilliance. From the surreal set design of Stranger Things: The First Shadow to the vivid choreography of SMASH and Buena Vista Social Club, the visual and auditory crafts are as central to storytelling as the scripts themselves. A special citation goes to the Stranger Things illusions team—Jamie Harrison and company—for bringing cinematic-level spectacle to the stage.

Special honors and legacy awards

Beloved playwright and performer Harvey Fierstein receives this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, while Celia Keenan-Bolger is honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for her advocacy and community work. The musicians behind Buena Vista Social Club are also honored with a Special Tony for their live contributions—a rare and meaningful recognition of the artists behind the music.