Robot romance takes center stage as Maybe Happy Ending steals the show at this year’s Tony Awards, racking up six major wins and making room for history-making moments by Cole Escola and Kara Young.
Crowned Best Musical, Maybe Happy Ending also earned Darren Criss the honor of Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Accepting his first Tony, Criss expressed pride in being part of a “diverse and exquisite” Broadway season. Director Michael Arden, who claimed Best Direction of a Musical, left a heartfelt message: “Empathy is not a weakness – it’s a gift and a responsibility,” before closing with a cheerful “Happy Pride Month!”
In one of the night’s fiercest categories, Nicole Scherzinger took home Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her powerhouse performance in Sunset Boulevard, outshining Broadway icon Audra McDonald, a six-time winner. Scherzinger, who also earned an Olivier Award for the same role, turned to Andrew Lloyd Webber onstage and joyfully exclaimed, “It’s happened, Andrew!”
Sunset Boulevard didn’t stop there—it also won Best Musical Revival and Best Lighting Design. Webber praised the creative revamp, saying, “It’s thrilling to see classic works reimagined.”
Cole Escola shattered boundaries by becoming the first non-binary performer to win Best Leading Actor in a Play for their role as a boozy Mary Todd Lincoln in the irreverent historical comedy Oh, Mary!, which they also wrote. Escola edged out George Clooney, whose adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck brought in five nominations and record-breaking ticket sales—but left the Tonys empty-handed. Oh, Mary! also earned Sam Pinkleton the award for Best Direction of a Play, beating celebrated director Sam Mendes.
Family drama Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins was named Best Play, marking another triumph after his previous success with Appropriate, which earned three Tonys last year.
Kara Young made Tony history as the first Black actor to win back-to-back awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play, honored this year for her performance in Purpose. It marked her fourth consecutive nomination in the category. On stage, she called the theatre a “sacred space” we must “protect in divided times.”
Sarah Snook, known from Succession, claimed Best Leading Actress in a Play for her Broadway debut in The Picture of Dorian Gray, triumphing over Mia Farrow and Sadie Sink. The production also earned the award for Best Costume Design.
Buena Vista Social Club, a stage adaptation of the beloved 1997 album and film, captured four awards. Meanwhile, Eureka Day, a biting satire set in a school, won Best Play Revival, and the Stranger Things prequel The First Shadow picked up three technical honors.
In another powerful moment, Francis Jue became only the second Asian-American actor to win Best Featured Actor in a Play, honored for Yellow Face. “To everyone feeling unseen or targeted—know that you are seen,” he said in a moving speech.
Jak Malone, from the hit show Operation Mincemeat, continued his awards streak by winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical, after also earning an Olivier. Playing a female character, Malone used his moment to spotlight trans rights, saying the performance “opens hearts to a vibrant world that’s not going away.”
Cynthia Erivo, the night’s host and a previous Tony winner, opened with a rousing musical number, joined by Broadway Inspirational Voices and a surprise appearance from Oprah Winfrey. “Broadway is officially back,” she declared, celebrating a record-shattering season that pulled in $1.89 billion in box office revenue. However, fan-favorite Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, was completely shut out of nominations.
During the in memoriam tribute, Erivo and Sara Bareilles performed an emotional version of “Tomorrow” from Annie, paying homage to the late legends Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, Quincy Jones, and Gavin Creel.
The night also marked a milestone as the original cast of Hamilton reunited to celebrate the musical’s 10th anniversary with a special “mix tape” performance.
Despite all the buzz, several shows went home empty-handed, including Gypsy, John Proctor Is the Villain, English, Just in Time, Smash, Dead Outlaw, and The Hills of California.
Last year’s Tonys belonged to Stereophonic and Merrily We Roll Along, but this year was all about new voices, diverse stories, and barrier-breaking wins.