“Maybe Happy Ending,” a South Korean musical tailored for Broadway about two robots who discover connection, gained large at Sunday’s Tony Awards, scooping up six prizes on the gala celebrating the most effective in American theater.
Stars of the season Cole Escola and Nicole Scherzinger additionally gained their first Tonys, on an evening that celebrated Broadway’s revival after a years-long pandemic droop.
Cynthia Erivo — the Oscar-nominated “Wicked” star who herself boasts a Tony — hosted the ceremony at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall honoring this yr’s buzzy, various aggressive slate .
It was Broadway’s most financially profitable yr ever, she instructed the gang.
“Broadway is officially back — provided we don’t run out of cast members from ‘Succession,'” she joked, referring to the adorned TV dramedy a couple of household’s media empire.
Sarah Snook — who scored an Emmy for her position in “Succession” — gained the Tony for finest main actress in a play, taking over all 26 roles within the stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
A bunch of latest reveals and stars drew 14.7 million folks to the Broadway performances this season, grossing $1.89 billion on the field workplace.
Some of showbiz’s greatest names graced New York’s levels, together with George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal — and Snook’s “Succession” co-stars Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong.
“Please go to the theater, whether it’s a Broadway show or a school play,” mentioned Michael Arden, who gained a Tony for finest path of a musical for “Maybe Happy Ending.”
Darren Criss of “Glee” fame — already an Emmy winner for portraying killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” — gained the Tony for lead actor in that musical.
“I have such immense pride to get to be part of this notably diverse exquisite Broadway season this year,” he instructed the viewers as he accepted his award.
Scherzinger bested a packed area together with the legendary Audra McDonald — the performer with probably the most Tonys in historical past — for finest actress in a musical for her position as pale star Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard,” which additionally gained for finest revival of a musical.
“If there’s anyone out there who feels like they don’t belong or your time hasn’t come, don’t give up,” mentioned an emotional Scherzinger, who as soon as fronted the pop woman group The Pussycat Dolls.
“Just keep on giving and giving because the world needs your love and your light now more than ever. This is a testament that love always wins.”
Even although Escola’s hit darkish comedy “Oh, Mary!” was the favourite for finest new play, the award went to intense household portrait “Purpose” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, which additionally gained the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
But Escola nonetheless gained large for his or her unhinged efficiency within the one-act reimagining of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination by way of the eyes of his spouse — a raging alcoholic who goals of life as a cabaret star.
Escola bested a stacked area that included Clooney.
“Oh, Mary!” additionally snagged the prize for finest path, gained by Sam Pinkleton.
“You have taught me to make what you love and not what you think people want to see,” Pinkleton mentioned in his speech, talking on to a tearful Escola.
“We can bring joy to people at the end of a crappy day and that feels like a big deal to me,” Pinkleton added to ardent applause.
The evening’s rollicking performances included a gripping rendition of “Rose’s Turn” from McDonald, and a fascinating efficiency of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Scherzinger.
The gala additionally featured a much-touted reunion of the unique solid of “Hamilton,” as that groundbreaking smash musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda celebrates its tenth anniversary.
A heartfelt section honored these the theater group misplaced over the previous yr, with Erivo and Sara Bareilles delivering the basic “Tomorrow” from “Annie.”
The tune’s composer, Charles Strouse, died final month.
Some acceptance speeches made indirect references to ongoing political turmoil throughout the United States, as President Donald Trump’s immigration raids set off protests. But Trump was not explicitly talked about.
© 2025 AFP