The 78th Annual Tony Awards will air Sunday June 8, 2025, live from the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The telecast will be aired on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+, giving Broadway theater lovers everywhere a front-row seat to this celebration of theatrical excellence. Hosting this year’s show is Cynthia Erivo, who delivered powerhouse performances in “The Color Purple” and the “Wicked” movie.

The Tony Awards, which began in 1947, are named after Antoinette “Tony” Perry, an actress, director and trailblazer in American theater. Every June, Broadway’s most prominent stars gather to honor the greatest plays, musicals, performers and designers of the past season. Live stage performances, bold storytelling and creative vision take center stage, making it an authentic celebration of Broadway artistic honesty. Such a concentration of bold, innovative productions and rising stars in this year’s nominations proves that Broadway is as sizzling and fresh as ever.

Among the season’s most watched shows is “Maybe Happy Ending,” an emotional musical that tells the story of two old robots finding their way again into the love and friendship that they believed was lost. With ten nominations, the production has touched hearts with its emotional impact, catchy music and innovative staging. The production stars Darren Criss as Oliver and Helen J. Shen as Claire, both delivering performances that have been appreciated for their nuance and chemistry.

Tying with “Maybe Happy Ending,”and “Death Becomes Her” for ten nominations is “Buena Vista Social Club,” a musical based on the iconic Cuban music group. It seamlessly blends individual testimonies with terrific live performances to create a show that’s energetic and powerful. Viewers have enjoyed its lively atmosphere and the manner in which it brings Cuban culture to the stage of Broadway. Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara, Julio Monge as Compay and Mel Semé as Ibrahim, among others star in this production.

Another standout from this past season is “John Proctor Is the Villain,” Kimberly Belflower’s new play. It takes inspiration from Arthur Miller’s classic “The Crucible” but reimagines the drama in a contemporary Georgia high school at the height of the #MeToo movement. The play explores themes of gender roles, truth and power through the eyes of students struggling to figure out their own identities and the world at large. Directed by Danya Taymor, it has earned seven nominations, including Best Play. The cast features Sadie Sink as Shelby Holcomb and Fina Strazza as Beth Powell, both delivering powerful performances that have resonated with audiences and critics alike.

“As someone who has taught The Crucible for the past 15 years, it was refreshing to see a modernized version of the play told from a different perspective,” English teacher Mr. Stencel said. “It’s interesting to view John Proctor as the actual villain in the story.”

“Operation Mincemeat,” a quirky British import that tells the story of a real World War II spy mission through music and humor, has been called one of the year’s most improbable successes and has earned four nominations. The show’s smart script and fast pace have a loyal following, proving that Broadway has room for stories of all sorts. The cast includes David Cumming as Charles Cholmondeley, Claire-Marie Hall as Jean Leslie, Natasha Hodgson as Ewen Montagu, Jak Malone as Hester Leggatt and Zoë Roberts as Johnny Bevan.

The 2025 Tony Awards presents a diverse range of nominees—not just among the actors, but in the genre of stories presented. From period espionage dramas to space-age romance, and from high school teen dramas to Cuban musical greats, the diversity of themes and voices appears to be greater than ever. TV actors are also making the crossover to the stage, with Odenkirk nominated for his turn in “Glengarry Glen Ross” and Louis McCartney recognized for his performance as Henry Creel in the new stage play “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

“I thought ‘John Proctor is the Villain’ had the best shop to sweep for any play-related awards,” junior Evangelia Englezos said. “For musical, I thought “Maybe Happy Ending” had the best shot to sweep for those awards.”

The 2025 Tony Awards delivered a night full of surprises and triumphs. “Maybe Happy Ending” took home Best Musical and swept several major categories, including Best Direction and Score. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose” won Best Play, with Kara Young making history with back-to-back Tony wins. Nicole Scherzinger stunned in “Sunset Blvd.,” earning Best Actress in a Musical and helping it win Best Revival. Sarah Snook took Best Actress in a Play for “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, and Cole Escola took Best Actor in a Play for “Oh, Mary!” This year’s Tonys proved Broadway is alive, daring, and unforgettable.