NEW YORK — Twenty-nine shows on Broadway got Tony Award nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy — and the box office attention they usually bring.
Here are some key things to know as Broadway’s biggest night approaches, including how to watch, who is poised to make history, what old favorite gets to take a victory lap and how you can see George Clooney on Broadway from the comfort of your couch.
When are the Tony Awards?
The Tonys will be broadcast to both coasts at 7 p.m. on June 8, live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The ceremony will be televised on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Who’s hosting the Tony Awards?
Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, the “Wicked” star, will be making her debut hosting the Tonys. She won the lead actress in a musical Tony in 2016 for “The Color Purple” and will have just released her new album, “I Forgive You.”
Which shows got the most nominations?
There are three of them: “Buena Vista Social Club,” which takes its inspiration from Wim Wenders’ 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary; “Death Becomes Her,” based on the 1992 cult classic film; and “ Dead Outlaw,” a musical about a real-life alcoholic drifter shot dead in 1911 and whose afterlife proved to be stranger than fiction. Each show received 10 nominations.
Who is vying for best new play and musical?
For new musicals, it’s “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.”
For new plays, it’s “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor Is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Purpose,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning family drama that received its world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 2024. It’s up for six awards.
Can history be made?
Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in Tony Awards history could possibly extending her lead. Already the recordholder for most acting wins with six Tonys, McDonald could add to that thanks to her leading turn in an acclaimed revival of “Gypsy.” She will push the record for a performer to most wins with seven if she prevails on Tony night.
And Kara Young — the first Black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years — could become the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively should she win for her role in the play “Purpose.”
Other possible firsts: — Daniel Dae Kim could becomes the first Asian winner in the category of best leading actor in a play for his work in a revival of “Yellow Face.” And Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are vying to become the first female actors of Iranian descent to win a Tony.
A special event
Normally, shows open for several years don’t get any Tony telecast attention but “Hamilton” is no normal show. The original cast will celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary on Broadway with a performance featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, Ariana DeBose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan and Phillipa Soo.
Broadway’s big season
The health of Broadway — once very much in doubt during the pandemic lockdown — is now very good, at least in terms of box office. The 2024-2025 season took in $1.9 billion, the highest-grossing season in recorded history, overtaking the pre-pandemic previous high of $1.8 billion during the 2018-2019 season.
In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, the second best attended season on record, behind only 2018-2019. But sky-high ticket prices have led to fears that Broadway is getting financially out of touch.
A revival of “Othello” with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for top-grossing play in Broadway history with a gross of $2,818,297 for eight performances, fueled by some seats going for as high as $921.
Even if you haven’t been able to get to Broadway this season, you can still see one of the shows. The night before the Tonys, “Good Night, and Good Luck” — starring and co-written by Clooney, a Tony acting nominee — will stream across CNN properties.
