- Thursday, May 01, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
The curtain has officially risen on Broadway’s biggest night, with the 2025 Tony Awards nominations announced on Thursday (1), setting the stage for a star-studded celebration. This year’s nominee list has sent waves across the theatre world, with Hollywood royalty George Clooney and pop icon Nicole Scherzinger earning nods for their critically acclaimed Broadway debuts.
Announced live on CBS Mornings by past Tony winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce, the nominations for the 78th annual Tony Awards include a mix of veteran performers and new faces electrifying the Broadway scene. Clooney received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Good Night, and Good Luck, while Scherzinger earned a Best Leading Actress in a Musical nomination for her captivating performance in Sunset Blvd.
The 2025 ceremony, hosted by multi-talented Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, will take place on Sunday, June 8, at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The event will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. ET, with a 90-minute pre-show on Pluto TV kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Adding to the buzz, Broadway legend Audra McDonald has made history yet again, becoming the most Tony-nominated performer of all time. Already a six-time Tony winner, McDonald returns to the spotlight with a nomination for her lead role in Gypsy. Also making headlines is Kara Young, who secured her fourth consecutive acting nomination following her win last year for Purlie Victorious.
This season’s nominations also spotlight breakout performances from Mia Farrow (The Roommate), Sadie Sink (John Proctor is the Villain), Sarah Snook (The Picture of Dorian Gray), and Bob Odenkirk (Glengarry Glen Ross). Other notable debuts include Cole Escola in Oh, Mary!, Louis McCartney in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and Jasmine Amy Rogers in BOOP! The Musical.
Here’s a snapshot of the top nominated productions:
Best Musical contenders include Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, and Operation Mincemeat.
Best Play nominations went to English, The Hills of California, John Proctor is the Villain, Oh, Mary!, and Purpose.
The Best Revival of a Musical category features Floyd Collins, Gypsy, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, and Sunset Blvd.
Best Revival of a Play includes Eureka Day, Our Town, Romeo + Juliet, and Yellow Face.
Among the most competitive categories is Best Leading Actor in a Musical, with nominations for Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending), Jonathan Groff (Just in Time), and Jeremy Jordan (Floyd Collins), while Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard each earned nods for Death Becomes Her alongside Scherzinger and McDonald in the Leading Actress category.
Best Featured Performances highlight the talents of Brooks Ashmanskas, Joy Woods, Bob Odenkirk, and Kara Young, whose work helped shape this Broadway season into one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Beyond acting, the creative talents behind the scenes were also recognized. Jamie Lloyd received a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical for Sunset Blvd., while Sam Mendes was honored in Best Direction of a Play for The Hills of California. The musical Maybe Happy Ending stood out with multiple nominations across categories including score, orchestrations, and design.
With a dynamic lineup of musicals, revivals, and plays, the 2025 Tony Awards promises an unforgettable night celebrating theatrical excellence. For fans of Broadway — and especially those following the spectacular transitions of Clooney and Scherzinger from screen and stage to the Great White Way — this year’s ceremony is not to be missed.
Stay tuned as the countdown to the big night continues. Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or a newcomer to theatre, the 2025 Tony Awards are shaping up to be a true showstopper.
