The 2025 Tony Awards, held on June 8 at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, showcased the best of Broadway talent. This year’s ceremony celebrated the highest achievements in theater, with many of this year’s nominees and winners reflecting a rich tapestry of productions. Sam Pinkleton and Michael Arden, we salute you for those clearly deserved best wins! With them, both veteran and up-and-coming artists garnered a record amount of praise.
The evening started with a beautiful red carpet filled with stars. Actors, directors, playwrights were all on hand to pay tribute to some of the season’s most outstanding performances. The audience buzzed with anticipation as the nominees were announced for various categories, leading to exciting moments and emotional speeches throughout the evening.
Major Winners
Sam Pinkleton took home the highly coveted award for Best Choreography for his fantastic work in Oh, Mary! The musical stunned audiences with its groundbreaking choreography and catchy narrative hook. It was Pinkleton’s commitment to his artistry that showed, winning his name out in one of the most competitive fields.
That was cause for Pinkleton to rejoice at a big victory. In other news, Michael Arden took home the award for Best Director of a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. Thanks to Arden’s perceptive vision, this production became a lush, dreamy experience, full of love and hope, drawing us in with its warmth and leaving theatergoers utterly moved. His upset win helped to establish his stature as one of Broadway’s most visionary directors.
It was a magical night, and a fitting celebration of all that talent! Sarah Snook was awarded Best Actress in a Play widely for her beautiful performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snook’s unique ability to add complexity and nuance to her character made an indelible mark on critics and audiences, winning Snook a lot of acclaim. Her performance featured both emotional heft and charismatic stage presence.
Notable Nominations
Although many artists had notable wins, there are just as many who were honored for their outstanding contributions with nominations. Our own Sam Mendes missed out on a best director nomination despite winning the Palme d’Or for his direction on The Hills of California. Although Mendes didn’t win, Mendes’ direction was lauded for its visionary, technical approach and compelling, immersive storytelling.
Brigitte Reiffenstuel was nominated for her scenic design in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a production that brought the beloved Netflix series to life on stage. Her designs were a critical element in constructing the detailed, temple-like environment that brought audiences into her contemporary world of make-believe.
Additionally, Jon Clark and Paul Arditti received nominations for their technical contributions to Stranger Things: The First Shadow, showcasing the collaborative nature of theater production. Their work went a long way in lifting the material of the show as a whole, adding to its universal acclaim.
Emerging Talent
The awards shed light on rising stars making waves in our industry. Cole Escola, the Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Oh, Mary! Whether cracking them up or breaking their hearts, he held patrons spellbound with his impeccable comedic timing matched only by his soaring vocal performances. Winning the musician grant at 23 years old was a big step in his developing career.
Kara Young won rave reviews for her dazzling work in Purpose. This honor only cemented her place as a promising up-and-comer in the Broadway community. Young’s emotional depth and authenticity throughout the production left audiences and critics alike captivated, cementing her place among Broadway’s youngest bright stars.
Jack Knowles received a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for his work on Sunset Blvd. At the same time, Nicole Scherzinger took home the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in the same creation. It’s because of their creativity and no small thanks to their passion for their craft and their jobs that brought so much success to the show.
