There is no more remarkable event for theater lovers than the Tony Awards. This annual event celebrates the best and brightest stars, directors, and productions of the past year. The Tonys are the Oscars of the theater world, and winning one is the ultimate validation of one’s work in the Broadway Industry.
But for those new to the theater world, navigating all that the Tony Awards entail can be challenging, from how it works to who has won. In this blog post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Tony Awards, including a rundown of the recent winners, records, and how to score tickets.
Pro tip: These are the best Broadway shows and Broadway Plays right now.
The Tony Award nominations 2025
These are only some of the nominations:
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
Productions with the Most Nominations
Buena Vista Social Club – 10
Death Becomes Her – 10
Maybe Happy Ending – 10
Dead Outlaw – 7
The Hills of California – 7
*John Proctor Is the Vill … * – 7
Sunset Blvd. – 7
You can find the full list of all 2025 Tony Award nominations here.
What are the Tony Awards, and How Do They Work?
The Tony Awards are the most coveted accolades in the American theater industry. They were established in 1947 and are named after the co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, Antoinette Perry. The awards are presented annually to Broadway productions and theater professionals, recognizing excellence in live Broadway theater.
What are the categories for the 2025 Tony Awards?
Best Play
Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Best Revival of a Play
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Costume Design of a Play
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Play
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Best Direction of a Play
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Choreography
Best Orchestrations
When do the Tony Awards take place?
This year the awards ceremony will take place on June 8, 2025, and will broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. The awards are divided into two main categories: the competitive awards, which are voted on by a panel of theater professionals, and the special awards, which are given to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to the theater community.
Where do the Tony Awards take place?
Traditionally, the Tony Awards are held at the Radio City Music Hall.
See which Broadway shows and plays were nominated the most this year here:
Tony Award Records
Over the years, several records have been set, including the most awards won by a single production and the most awards won by an individual. The musical Hamilton holds the record for the most nominations ever received by a production, with a whopping 16 nods in 2016.
Meanwhile, Harold Prince, the legendary director, and producer, has won an incredible 21 Tonys throughout his career, making him the most awarded individual in the history of the awards. In addition, Audra McDonald holds the record for the most Tony Awards won by an actress. She has won six Tony Awards in various categories, including Best Actress in a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Play.
And these are all records:
The play production with the most Tony nominations is Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play (2020) with 12 nominations.
The play production that won the most Tony Awards is Tom Stoppard’s The Coast of Utopia (2007) with 7 awards.
The musical production with the most Tony nominations is Hamilton (2016) with 16 nominations.
The musical production that won the most Tony Awards is The Producers, the new Mel Brooks musical (2001) with 12 awards.
The musical revival with the most Tony Awards is South Pacific (2008) with 7 awards.
The musical revival with the most Tony nominations is Kiss Me, Kate (2000) with 12 nominations.
The performers with the most Tony nominations are Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, and Julie Harris, each with 10 nominations.
The performers with the most Tony Awards are Audra McDonald with 6 competitive Tony Awards, Angela Lansbury with 6 including one Special Tony Award, and Julie Harris with 6 including one Special Tony Award.
The composer with the most Tony Awards is Stephen Sondheim with 8 awards.
The choreographer with the most Tony Awards is Bob Fosse with 8 awards (plus one for direction).
The host of the most Tony Awards telecasts is Angela Lansbury, who has hosted 5 times.
The longest-running musical is The Phantom of the Opera which started in 1988 and had its last performance on April 16, 2023 (overall: 13,981 performances). The longest running Broadway show you can still watch is Chicago – it premiered on November 14, 1996).
The theatre that has housed the most Tony-winning Best Plays and Best Musicals is the Richard Rodgers Theatre with 11 such productions.
There have been 10 ties in the history of the Tony Awards.
How do I get tickets for the 2025 Tony Awards?
The good news is that there are a few ways to score a seat: you can enter the official Tony Awards lottery, check with your preferred ticket vendor, or reach out to the Tony Awards directly. Remember, tickets for this exclusive event are in high demand and sell out quickly, so act fast and keep your eyes peeled for updates on ticket sales. With some luck and persistence, you could be watching the stars shine bright on stage at the 2024 Tony Awards.
Usually there are Student Rush tickets just prior to the event. For the exclusive offer, students are required to show their valid student ID at the famed Radio City Music Hall’s box office. The ticket cost will be around $250, with an additional $6 for the facility fee.
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