NEW YORK (AP) – Broadway has wrapped up a vibrant and diverse season, showcasing a unique variety of stories and performances. Among the highlights are a pair of singing androids, Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, a drunken Mary Todd Lincoln, a musical featuring a corpse as its hero, and an unexpected modern twist on “Romeo and Juliet” with teddy bears and rave music. All of these will be celebrated during the upcoming Tony Awards, which will be hosted by Cynthia Erivo on Sunday night, streaming live on CBS and Paramount+.
This year has shifted the spotlight from musicals to plays, fueled by A-list talent. High-profile stars such as George Clooney in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” Denzel Washington, and Jake Gyllenhaal in “Othello,” along with Sarah Snook’s one-woman version of “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” have dominated Broadway conversations. Each of these stars is nominated for a Tony, adding to the excitement surrounding the awards.
The season also brought accolades for two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: “English,” awarded in 2024, and “Purpose,” from 2025. However, standout performances have emerged from Cole Escola’s outrageous and irreverent work “Oh, Mary!”, which reimagines history through the eyes of Mary Todd Lincoln. “Oh, Mary!” is nominated for Best Play, along with “John Proctor is the Villain,” and “The Hills of California.”
On the musical front, anticipation is building around three contenders for the top prize: “Maybe Happy Ending,” a romantic comedy about androids; “Dead Outlaw,” centered on an alcoholic drifter whose embalmed body becomes a prized possession; and “Death Becomes Her,” a humorous take on eternal youth and beauty. All three musicals lead with ten nominations each, aiming for one of Broadway’s most prestigious awards.
The 2024-2025 Broadway season broke records, generating $1.9 billion in revenue, surpassing the previous high of $1.8 billion achieved in the 2018-2019 season. This surge signifies Broadway's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and indicates a strong resurgence in interest and attendance.
Harvey Fierstein, who is set to receive a special Tony for lifetime achievement, remarked on the transformative influence of current performances, likening it to the resurgence of musicals in the early 1980s following the AIDS crisis. Additionally, Audra McDonald, known for holding the record for the most acting wins with six Tonys, may extend her lead with her acclaimed role in the revival of “Gypsy,” vying against Nicole Scherzinger in “Sunset Blvd.”
Setting potential milestones, Kara Young could become the first Black actor to win two consecutive Tonys, while Daniel Dae Kim is in the running to be the first Asian actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Play for his performance in “Yellow Face.” Furthermore, Marjan Neshat and Tala Ashe could make history as the first female actors of Iranian descent to win Tony awards.
The current Broadway season also highlights a notable trend toward alternative rock and stories aimed at younger audiences, notably with productions like “John Proctor is the Villain” and a modernized “Romeo + Juliet.” The Tony Awards telecast will feature musical numbers from the nominated productions, highlighting the best new musical candidates and other notable performances that didn’t receive nominations.
This year’s celebration includes guest performances from acclaimed shows like “Hamilton,” which marks its 10th anniversary on Broadway, while shows like “BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical” and “SMASH” unfortunately did not secure slots for performances during the event. With so much talent and creativity on display, the Tony Awards promise to be a memorable occasion for the Broadway community.
