The 2025 Tony Award nominations have been revealed — and it’s shaping up to be one of the most star-studded seasons on Broadway in recent memory. Several major Hollywood names have made the shortlist, including George Clooney, Sarah Snook, and Sadie Sink.
Let’s take a closer look at the big nominees, the surprises, and what to expect as Broadway gears up for theatre’s biggest night.
Hollywood Meets Broadway: Big Names in the Spotlight
A wave of screen stars made their mark on stage this year, with several securing nominations for their standout performances.
Notable Actors Who Received Nominations:
George Clooney – A first-time Tony nominee for his Broadway debut.
Sarah Snook – Recognised for her powerful performance this season.
Sadie Sink – The Stranger Things star continues to impress with her theatre work.
Mia Farrow – A welcome return to Broadway and now a Tony contender.
Other Celebrities Who Earned Nods:
Darren Criss
Daniel Dae Kim
Bob Odenkirk
However, not every big name made the cut. Stars such as Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Nick Jonas, David Hyde Pierce, and Idina Menzel were all left off the list this year.
Leading Ladies in Musicals: A Tough Competition
This year’s Best Leading Actress in a Musical category is packed with talent, including both seasoned performers and new faces.
Top Contenders Include:
Audra McDonald – With her 11th nomination, McDonald is now the most-nominated performer in Tony history. She has already won six Tony Awards.
Nicole Scherzinger – The former Pussycat Doll makes a strong Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard.
Musicals That Stole the Spotlight
With 14 new musicals debuting this season, competition is fierce. Three shows tied for the most nominations, each receiving 10.
Top Musical Nominees:
Buena Vista Social Club – A moving tribute to legendary Cuban musicians.
Death Becomes Her – A dazzling adaptation of the cult classic film.
Maybe Happy Ending – A unique love story between two robots.
These productions will compete with:
Dead Outlaw – Based on the bizarre true story of a train robber whose corpse became a tourist attraction.
Operation Mincemeat – A quirky World War II tale about British espionage.
Interesting Note: Three of the five Best Musical contenders involve stories about death or the undead.
Revivals Bringing Classics Back to Life
Several well-loved classics have been reimagined and are now vying for the Best Musical Revival title.
Best Musical Revival Nominees:
Gypsy
Sunset Boulevard
Floyd Collins
Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Best Play Revival Nominees:
Eureka Day
Romeo + Juliet
Our Town
Yellow Face
Best Play Category: Stories That Move the Audience
This year’s Best Play nominees explore powerful and often emotional themes.
Best Play Nominees Include:
English – A Pulitzer-winning story about Iranians learning English.
The Hills of California – A British drama about sisters reuniting during their mother’s final days.
John Proctor Is the Villain – A reflection on modern teenage life through the lens of The Crucible.
Oh, Mary! – A comedy spoofing Mary Todd Lincoln with an ahistorical twist.
Purpose – A family drama centred on political activism in a Black family from Chicago.
Special Tony Awards and Honours
In addition to the competitive categories, several special awards were also announced.
Special Recognition Went To:
The musicians of Buena Vista Social Club for their extraordinary performance.
The special effects team behind Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a stage prequel to the hit Netflix series.
Louis McCartney, the 21-year-old lead of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, also earned a nomination.
Shows Left Without a Nomination
Out of the 29 eligible productions, 13 received no nominations at all, including:
Tammy Faye (new musical)
Redwood (new musical)
Old Friends (Sondheim revue)
What Happens Next? The Countdown to June 8
Now that the nominations are out, the real competition begins. The 840 Tony voters, made up mainly of theatre professionals and investors, will spend the next five weeks watching shows and casting their votes.
Event Details:
Date: 8 June 2025
Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Host: Cynthia Erivo
Broadcast: Live on CBS
The State of Broadway in 2025
This season, Broadway has welcomed:
42 new productions – An impressive number for any year.
A strong mix of original and experimental shows alongside mainstream titles.
A rising number of younger audiences coming through the doors.
Challenges Still Loom:
Ticket prices remain too high for many fans.
Production costs have soared, affecting profitability for producers.
About the Tony Awards
The Tony Awards are jointly presented by the Broadway League and the American Theater Wing. To be eligible this year, shows must have opened on Broadway between 26 April 2024 and 27 April 2025.
A committee of 65 theatre experts — with 54 participating due to recusals — selected the nominees. They do not have any professional or financial ties to the productions.
Other Honours and Lifetime Achievements
Already Announced Honourees:
Harvey Fierstein – Lifetime Achievement Award (4-time Tony winner).
Celia Keenan-Bolger – Isabelle Stevenson Award for her volunteer efforts.
Tony Honours for Excellence in Theatre:
Great Performances (PBS arts programme)
Michael Price, Goodspeed Musicals
New 42, a children’s theatre group
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
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