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New York. – On a night filled with emotions, applause, and memorable moments, the Tony Awards 2025 crowned Maybe Happy Ending as the best new musical, and Purpose as the best original play, marking a milestone of diversity and representation in the history of Broadway theater.
Maybe Happy Ending, starring Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen, took home six awards, including best musical, book, and original score. The romantic comedy about two retired androids exploring love and human connection became the big winner of the night. Criss also won his first Tony as lead actor and co-producer.
Meanwhile, Purpose, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, was crowned as the best new play. The intimate drama about an African-American family trapped by a snowstorm also earned Kara Young her second consecutive Tony, making her the first Black person to achieve such a feat in successive years.
The Tony Awards ceremony, held at the Radio City Music Hall and hosted by Cynthia Erivo, included a vibrant mix of tributes, live music, and historical moments. Erivo debuted as host with an original number and starred alongside Sara Bareilles in an emotional In Memoriam tribute, performing “The Sun Will Come Out” in honor of legendary figures of the theater.
One of the most celebrated moments was the return of the original cast of Hamilton, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who commemorated the musical's tenth anniversary with a special performance.
Nicole Scherzinger won the award for best leading actress in a musical for Sunset Blvd., a revival that also won in its category. The former Pussycat Dolls singer was applauded for her stage transformation and her powerful message of inclusion: “If you feel like you don't belong, don't give up. The world needs your light.”
Other highlights of the night:
- Sarah Snook won as best actress in a play for The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she plays 26 different characters.
- Cole Escola took home the Tony for best actor in a play for his extravagant portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!
- Francis Jue triumphed as supporting actor in a play for Yellow Face, thanking the generations of Asian artists who came before him.
- Jak Malone won as best supporting actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat, in a speech where he defended trans rights.
The award for best choreography went to Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado for Buena Vista Social Club, while the musical also received recognition in set design and music. The most outstanding costumes were for The Picture of Dorian Gray in theater and Death Becomes Her in musical.
Finally, the Lifetime Achievement Tony went to Harvey Fierstein, who moved the audience by dedicating his award "to the people in the dark," referring to the audience that keeps the magic of theater alive.
With a record-breaking revenue of $1.9 billion in the 2024-2025 season, Broadway celebrates not only the return to post-pandemic normalcy, but also a new era of diversity, emerging talent, and bold artistic ventures.
Selected List of Tony Award Winners
- Best Musical: "Maybe Happy Ending"
- Best Play: "Purpose"
- Musical Revival: "Sunset Blvd."
- Play Revival: "Eureka Day"
- Actress in a Musical: Nicole Scherzinger, "Sunset Blvd."
- Actor in a Musical: Darren Criss, "Maybe Happy Ending"
- Actress in a Play: Sarah Snook, "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
- Actor in a Play: Cole Escola, "Oh, Mary!"
- Featured Actor in a Musical: lJak Malone, "Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical"
- Featured Actress in a Musical: Natalie Venetia Belcon, "Buena Vista Social Club"
- Featured Actor in a Play: Francis Jue, "Yellow Face"
- Featured Actress in a Play: Kara Young, "Purpose"
- Play Direction: Sam Pinkleton, "Oh, Mary!"
- Musical Direction: Michael Arden, "Maybe Happy Ending"
- Musical Book: Will Aronson and Hue Park, "Maybe Happy Ending"
- Original Score: "Maybe Happy Ending" (music: Will Aronson, lyrics: Will Aronson and Hue Park)
- Choreography: Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, "Buena Vista Social Club"
