The 78th Annual Tony Awards 2025 nominations are finally out, and they bring with them both excitement and shockwaves across Broadway. With names like George Clooney, Nicole Scherzinger, and the Stranger Things prequel earning key nods, this year’s list is star-studded, competitive, and ripe with surprises. However, the biggest buzz is around Denzel Washington’s snub, despite an otherwise celebrated season.
Broadway’s Biggest Night: June 9, 2025
The 2025 Tony Awards will take place on June 9, celebrating the best in Broadway theatre. This year’s top contenders include:
- Death Becomes Her
- Maybe Happy Ending
- Buena Vista Social Club
Each of these musicals earned 10 nominations, reflecting their impact on both audiences and critics.
Hollywood Icons Take the Stage
George Clooney, making his Broadway debut, is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Good Night, and Good Luck. Clooney portrays journalist Edward R. Murrow in the stage adaptation of his own 2005 film, which originally earned multiple Oscar nominations.
Joining Clooney among the notable Hollywood crossovers:
- Nicole Scherzinger, earning raves and a Tony nod for her lead in Sunset Blvd., which received multiple nominations and a 6-minute standing ovation at debut.
- Sarah Snook is also nominated for her powerful performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel.
Netflix’s Stranger Things Debuts on Broadway
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the Netflix phenomenon, bagged five nominations. Notably, Sadie Sink and Louis McCartney were recognized for their performances, marking Netflix’s successful transition from screen to stage.
Major Snubs Raise Eyebrows
While the nominations list is diverse and dynamic, several high-profile omissions have stirred conversations online:
- Denzel Washington, despite a powerful performance, was overlooked.
- Kieran Culkin and Jake Gyllenhaal were also absent from the nomination sheet, sparking debate about this year’s Tony snubs.
Major Categories and Nominees
The Best Musical
- Buena Vista Social Club
- Dead Outlaw
- Death Becomes Her
- Maybe Happy Ending
- Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Best Play
- English
- The Hills of California
- John Proctor is the Villain
- Oh, Mary!
- Purpose
Nominee For Best Revival of a Musical
- Floyd Collins
- Gypsy
- Pirates! The Penzance Musical
- Sunset Blvd.
Best Revival of a Play
- Eureka Day
- Romeo + Juliet
- Our Town
- Yellow Face
Standout Performances
Leading Actors in a Play
- George Clooney – Good Night, and Good Luck
- Cole Escola – Oh, Mary!
- Daniel Dae Kim – Yellow Face
- Jon Michael Hill – Purpose
- Harry Lennix – Purpose
- Louis McCartney – Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Leading Actresses in a Play
- Sarah Snook – The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Sadie Sink – John Proctor is the Villain
- Mia Farrow – The Roommate
- Laura Donnelly – The Hills of California
- LaTanya Richardson Jackson – Purpose
Names for Leading Actors in a Musical
- Darren Criss – Maybe Happy Ending
- Jeremy Jordan – Floyd Collins
- Tom Francis – Sunset Blvd.
- Jonathan Groff – Just in Time
Nominees for Leading Actresses in a Musical
- Nicole Scherzinger – Sunset Blvd.
- Megan Hilty – Death Becomes Her
- Audra McDonald – Gypsy
Direction, Design, and Musical Excellence
The technical and creative direction categories are just as competitive:
Award for Best Direction of a Play
- Sam Mendes – The Hills of California
- Danya Taymor – John Proctor is the Villain
- Kip Williams – The Picture of Dorian Gray
Best Direction of a Musical
- Jamie Lloyd – Sunset Blvd.
- Michael Arden – Maybe Happy Ending
- Saheem Ali – Buena Vista Social Club
The Best Scenic and Costume Design
Top contenders in visual storytelling include Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Death Becomes Her, and Good Night, and Good Luck, with nominations for lighting, sound, and scenic design.
The 2025 Tony Awards nominations showcase a compelling mix of Broadway excellence, Hollywood power, and new-age storytelling. With names like George Clooney, Nicole Scherzinger, and franchises like Stranger Things earning high praise, this year’s awards will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about nights in theatre history. As Broadway evolves, the spotlight grows brighter and so does the competition.
