2025 Tony Awards Nominations Predictions in Every Category

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06-05-2025

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Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
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Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Othello'
Tonys Commentary (Updated: April 30, 2025): The 62 theater professionals serving on the 2024–2025 Tony Awards Nominating Committee have been busy this season, attending every Broadway opening and meticulously tracking standout performances, eye-catching design, and memorable direction. Their notes will soon translate into nominations — recognizing the productions and artists that raised the bar, as well as those that may have fallen short. While the official nominations won't be revealed until Thursday, May 1, anticipation is already building. So, who's likely to score a coveted nod, and who might be left out? While nothing is guaranteed, we've assembled our predictions for the titles and talents most likely to make the cut.
One of the most intriguing storylines heading into this year's Tonys is the potential for Kieran Culkin to make awards history. Having just earned an Emmy for his searing final-season turn in HBO's 'Succession' and an Oscar for his vulnerable, aching performance in 'A Real Pain,' Culkin is now generating Tony buzz for his Broadway debut — and could be on track to complete the elusive Triple Crown of Acting (Emmy, Oscar, and Tony) in just 18 months. If he pulls it off, Culkin would break the record previously held by Paul Scofield, who achieved the feat over a span of seven years.
Another star turning heads this season is 'Stranger Things' breakout Sadie Sink, who delivers a compelling performance in 'John Proctor is the Villain,' a sharp, modern reimagining of 'The Crucible' set in a rural Georgia high school. Sink's nuanced portrayal of a student grappling with power, justice, and agency has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. Her presence brings fresh energy and a new generation of theatergoers to Broadway, making her not only a viable contender for a Tony nomination but also a valuable figure for drawing national attention to the ceremony.
Also poised for a breakout is Justina Machado, whose powerhouse performance in 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' has garnered early acclaim. Known for her work on 'One Day at a Time,' Machado brings depth, warmth, and charisma to a role rooted in family, identity, and resilience. Based on Josefina López's seminal play — which also inspired the 2002 HBO film — the musical follows Ana Garcia, a first-generation Mexican-American teenager dreaming beyond the confines of her family's struggling sewing factory in East Los Angeles. When the women are faced with a make-or-break dress order, the story becomes a vibrant portrait of Latina womanhood, generational tension, and the pursuit of the American dream. With a predominantly Latino cast portraying stories rarely given center stage on Broadway, 'Real Women Have Curves' could mark a major moment for Latino representation in American theater.
The nominations for the 78th Annual Tony Awards will be announced live on May 1, 2025, drawing a line under a season filled with bold debuts, thrilling revivals, and breakout stars. To be considered, shows must officially open by Sunday, April 27, 2025, and meet all eligibility requirements set by the Tony Awards Administration Committee.
This year also marks a grand return to a beloved venue. The 2025 Tony Awards ceremony will take place at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, bringing back the glitz and scale of ceremonies past. The live broadcast will air coast-to-coast on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM ET / 5:00 to 8:00 PM PT on CBS, giving theater lovers nationwide a front-row seat to all the drama, emotion, and celebration.
See Academy Award predictions below:
Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars
*** = PREDICTED WINNER
(All predicted nominees listed below are in alphabetical order)
Best Musical
Best Musical
'Buena Vista Social Club'
'Dead Outlaw'
'Death Becomes Her'
'Maybe Happy Ending' ***
'Real Women Have Curves'
Alternate: 'Operation Mincemeat'
Two critical favorites, 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Dead Outlaw,' look like sure bets and likely frontrunners for the award. 'Death Becomes Her' stands out as the kind of splashy, razzle-dazzle comedy Broadway loves but has become increasingly rare. 'Buena Vista Social Club' is likely to capture nominators' attention with its elegant staging and rich music. The fifth nomination slot appears less certain; the heartfelt 'Real Women Have Curves' seems most likely, although the clever comedy 'Operation Mincemeat' remains a strong contender.
Eligible titles: 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical' (Studio 54); 'BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre); 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); 'Death Becomes Her' (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); 'Just in Time' (Circle in the Square Theatre); 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Belasco Theatre); 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (James Earl Jones Theatre); 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); 'Swept Away' (Longacre Theatre); 'Tammy Faye' (Palace Theatre)
Best Play
Best Play
'English'
'The Hills of California'
'John Proctor is the Villain'
'Oh, Mary!' ***
'Purpose'
Alternate: 'Cult of Love'
The raucously absurd comedy 'Oh, Mary!' has been a hot ticket all season and is sure to score a nomination. The same goes for 'Purpose,' by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (whose play 'Appropriate' won best revival last year), and the critically adored 'John Proctor Is the Villain.' The final two spots seem less certain, with top contenders including Pulitzer winner 'English' and London import 'The Hills of California.' However, the George Clooney-led 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' with its slick and impressive production, might sneak in, as could the technologically innovative 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.' A possible dark horse is 'Cult of Love,' the well-liked comedy-drama that had a limited run this past winter.
Eligible titles: 'All In: Comedy About Love' (Hudson Theatre); 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theatre); 'English' (Todd Haimes Theatre); 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (Winter Garden Theatre); 'JOB' (Helen Hayes Theatre); 'John Proctor is the Villain' (Booth Theatre); 'Left on Tenth' (James Earl Jones Theatre); 'McNeal' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); 'Oh, Mary!' (Lyceum Theatre); 'Purpose' (Helen Hayes Theatre); 'The Hills of California' (Broadhurst Theatre); 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (Music Box Theatre); 'The Roommate' (Booth Theatre); 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Marquis Theatre)​
Musical Revival
Musical Revival
'Floyd Collins'
'Gypsy'
'Pirates! The Penzance Musical'
'Sunset Boulevard' ***
Alternate: 'Once Upon a Mattress'
'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Gypsy' have dominated the conversation around this category all season — and they're likely to continue doing so. Among a relatively sparse group of competitors, the new production of the cult-favorite musical 'Floyd Collins' also seems likely to earn a nomination, as does the goofy rewrite 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical,' although 'Once Upon a Mattress' could potentially sneak in and take its spot.
Eligible titles: 'Elf' (Marquis Theatre); 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre); 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); 'The Last Five Years' (Hudson Theatre); 'Sunset Blvd.' (St. James Theatre)
Play Revival
Play Revival
'Eureka Day' ***
'Glengarry Glen Ross'
'Othello'
'Yellow Face'
Alternate: 'Romeo + Juliet'
Will 'Othello' receive a nomination for best play revival? That's the major question surrounding the star-studded production, which has performed strongly at the box office but received notably mixed critical responses. Among this season's revivals, 'Eureka Day' earned the most enthusiastic reviews and seems poised to lead the nominations. 'Yellow Face' is also likely to secure a nod, as is the celebrity-filled 'Glengarry Glen Ross.' The fourth spot remains a wild card — it could go to 'Othello' or to another Shakespeare revival with similarly mixed reviews, 'Romeo + Juliet.'
Eligible titles: 'Eureka Day' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (Palace Theatre); 'Home' (Todd Haimes Theatre); 'Othello' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); 'Romeo + Juliet' (Circle in the Square Theatre); 'Yellow Face' (Todd Haimes Theatre)​
Actor (Musical)
Actor (Musical)
Darren Criss
'Maybe Happy Ending'
Andrew Durand
'Dead Outlaw'
Tom Francis
'Sunset Boulevard'
Jonathan Groff ***
'Just in Time'
Jeremy Jordan
'Floyd Collins'
Alternate: David Hyde Pierce, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical'
This is one of the few categories that feels relatively easy to call, with five leading men whose performances stood out this season — even in shows that received mixed reviews overall (see last year's Tony winner in this category, Jonathan Groff in 'Just in Time,' and Jeremy Jordan in 'Floyd Collins').
Eligible: David Cumming, 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); Darren Criss, 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Belasco Theatre); Andrew Durand, 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); Tom Francis, 'Sunset Blvd.' (St. James Theatre); John Gallagher Jr., 'Swept Away' (Longacre Theatre); Jonathan Groff, 'Just in Time' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Grey Henson, 'Elf' (Marquis Theatre); James Monroe Iglehart, 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical' (Studio 54); Nick Jonas, 'The Last Five Years' (Hudson Theatre); Ramin Karimloo, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); David Hyde Pierce, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Jeremy Jordan, 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater).
Actress (Musical)
Actress (Musical)
Audra McDonald ***
'Gypsy'
Jasmine Amy Rogers
'BOOP! The Musical'
Nicole Scherzinger
'Sunset Boulevard'
Helen J Shen
'Maybe Happy Ending'
Jennifer Simard
'Death Becomes Her'
Alternate: Megan Hilty, 'Death Becomes Her'
The tightest race of the year might just be between Audra and Nicole, and the nominations will likely reflect that. Beyond those two, expect at least one of the 'Death Becomes Her' ladies to earn a nomination — our money is on Jennifer Simard for her droll, deadpan performance, though her co-star, longtime Broadway favorite Megan Hilty, could claim a spot instead, or perhaps alongside her. This season also features several notable debuts, with Helen J. Shen of 'Maybe Happy Ending' appearing certain to secure a nomination. Jasmine Amy Rogers in 'Boop!' may also attract nominators' attention, as could Tatiana Córdoba in 'Real Women Have Curves.'
Eligible: Katie Brayben, 'Tammy Faye' (Palace Theatre); Tatiana Córdoba, 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (James Earl Jones Theatre); Sutton Foster, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Megan Hilty, 'Death Becomes Her' (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); Natasha Hodgson, 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); Robyn Hurder, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Audra McDonald, 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre); Idina Menzel, 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); Jasmine Amy Rogers, 'BOOP! The Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); Nicole Scherzinger, 'Sunset Blvd.' (St. James Theatre); Helen J Shen, 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Belasco Theatre); Jennifer Simard, 'Death Becomes Her' (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); Adrienne Warren, 'The Last Five Years' (Hudson Theatre)
Actor (Play)
Actor (Play)
George Clooney
'Good Night, and Good Luck'
Cole Escola ***
'Oh, Mary!'
Jake Gyllenhaal
'Othello'
Daniel Dae Kim
'Yellow Face'
Jon Michael Hill
'Purpose'
Alternate: Kit Connor, 'Romeo + Juliet'
Cole Escola is a lock as the writer-star of the season's breakout hit 'Oh, Mary!' and may well emerge as the frontrunner for the award. Escola is likely to share the category with a few of the night's biggest names — George Clooney for 'Good Night, and Good Luck' and Jake Gyllenhaal for 'Othello.' Gyllenhaal appears more likely to receive a nomination than his 'Othello' co-star Denzel Washington, though there's a chance both could make the list. Rounding out the category will likely be two actors who skillfully took on the role of narrator-protagonist in their respective plays: Daniel Dae Kim in 'Yellow Face' and Jon Michael Hill in 'Purpose.'
Eligible: George Clooney, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (Winter Garden Theatre); Kit Connor, 'Romeo + Juliet' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Robert Downey Jr., 'McNeal' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Cole Escola, 'Oh, Mary!' (Lyceum Theatre); Peter Friedman, 'JOB' (Helen Hayes Theatre); Peter Gallagher, 'Left on Tenth' (James Earl Jones Theatre); Jake Gyllenhaal, 'Othello' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Jon Michael Hill, 'Purpose' (Hayes Theater); Daniel Dae Kim, 'Yellow Face' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Tory Kittles, 'Home' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Harry Lennix, 'Purpose' (Hayes Theater); Louis McCartney, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Marquis Theatre); Jim Parsons, 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Denzel Washington, 'Othello' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre).​
Actress (Play)
Laura Donnelly
'The Hills of California'
Mia Farrow
'The Roommate'
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
'Purpose'
Sadie Sink
'John Proctor is the Villain'
Sarah Snook ***
'The Picture of Dorian Gray'
Alternate: Patti LuPone, 'The Roommate'
This category will spotlight several stars: 'Succession' Emmy winner Sarah Snook is almost certain to receive a nomination for her bravura performance in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' while 'Stranger Things' star Sadie Sink will likely be recognized for her role as one of the central characters in the well-received 'John Proctor Is the Villain.' Mia Farrow is expected to be remembered for her seemingly effortless comic turn in 'The Roommate,' as is Laura Donnelly for her dual role as both mother and daughter in 'The Hills of California.' Rounding out the category, look for LaTanya Richardson Jackson to earn a spot for her commanding performance as the matriarch in the family drama 'Purpose.'
Eligible: Laura Donnelly, 'The Hills of California' (Broadhurst Theatre); Mia Farrow, 'The Roommate' (Booth Theatre); Sydney Lemmon, 'JOB' (Helen Hayes Theatre); Julianna Margulies, 'Left on Tenth' (James Earl Jones Theatre); LaTanya Richardson Jackson, 'Purpose' (Hayes Theater); Sarah Snook, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (Music Box Theatre); Sadie Sink, 'John Proctor is the Villain' (Booth Theatre); Rachel Zegler, 'Romeo + Juliet' (Circle in the Square Theatre).​
Featured Actor (Musical)
Featured Actor (Musical)
Danny Burstein
'Gypsy'
Jak Malone ***
'Operation Mincemeat'
Christopher Sieber
'Death Becomes Her'
Thom Sesma
'Dead Outlaw'
Taylor Trensch
'Floyd Collins'
Alternate: Marcus Choi, 'Maybe Happy Ending'
These are the five we're betting on, but there are a handful of worthy performers who might get the nod instead — particularly Marcus Choi ('Maybe Happy Ending') and Brooks Ashmanskas ('Smash').
Eligible: Brooks Ashmanskas, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Nicholas Barasch, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); John Behlmann, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Jeb Brown, 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); Daniel Breaker, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Preston Truman Boyd, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Sean Astin, 'Elf' (Marquis Theatre); Erich Bergen, 'BOOP! The Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); Michael Cerveris, 'Tammy Faye' (Palace Theatre); Will Chase, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Marcus Choi, 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Belasco Theatre); Kevin Csolak, 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre); Stephen DeRosa, 'BOOP! The Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); Dashiell Eaves, 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); Jason Gotay, 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Gavin Lee, 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); Jak Malone, 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); Ainsley Melham, 'BOOP! The Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); Julio Monge, 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre); Michael Park, 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); Zachary Noah Piser, 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); Thom Sesma, 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); Christopher Sieber, 'Death Becomes Her' (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); Stark Sands, 'Swept Away' (Longacre Theatre); Mel Semé, 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre); Jainardo Batista Sterling, 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre); David Thaxton, 'Sunset Blvd.' (St. James Theatre); Taylor Trensch, 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Michael Urie, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Wesley Wray, 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre).​
Featured Actress (Musical)
Featured Actress (Musical)
Natalie Venetia Belcon ***
'Buena Vista Social Club'
Justina Machado
'Real Women Have Curves'
Jinkx Monsoon
'Pirates! The Penzance Musical'
Lea Salonga
'Old Friends'
Joy Woods
'Gypsy'
Alternate: Bernadette Peters, 'Old Friends'
These five are the standouts most likely to stake a claim on this category. But there are at least three other performers who could slip into any of those slots, including Bernadette Peters ('Old Friends'), Lesli Margherita ('Gypsy'), and Julia Knitel ('Dead Outlaw').
Eligible: De'Adre Aziza, 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); Natalie Venetia Belcon, 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Schoenfeld Theatre); Ashley Brown, 'Elf' (Marquis Theatre); Caroline Bowman, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Bella Coppola, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Florencia Cuenca, 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (James Earl Jones Theatre); Nikki Renée Daniels, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Ana Gasteyer, 'Once Upon a Mattress' (Hudson Theatre); Claire-Marie Hall, 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); Erika Henningsen, 'Just in Time' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Grace Hodgett-Young, 'Sunset Blvd.' (St. James Theatre); Julia Knitel, 'Dead Outlaw' (Longacre Theatre); Gracie Lawrence, 'Just in Time' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Beth Leavel, 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); Lesli Margherita, 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre); Justina Machado, 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (James Earl Jones Theatre); Lizzy McAlpine, 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Michelle Williams, 'Death Becomes Her' (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); Jessica Molaskey, 'Floyd Collins' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Jinkx Monsoon, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Kristine Nielsen, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Michele Pawk, 'Just in Time' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Bernadette Peters, 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); Faith Prince, 'BOOP! The Musical' (Broadhurst Theatre); Krysta Rodriguez, 'Smash' (Imperial Theatre); Zoë Roberts, 'Operation Mincemeat' (John Golden Theatre); Lea Salonga, 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); Jordan Tyson, 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre); Khaila Wilcoxon, 'Redwood' (Nederlander Theatre); Samantha Williams, 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Joy Woods, 'Gypsy' (Majestic Theatre).
Featured Actor (Play)
Featured Actor (Play)
Kieran Culkin
'Glengarry Glen Ross'
Bill Irwin
'Eureka Day'
Francis Jue
'Yellow Face'
Bob Odenkirk
'Glengarry Glen Ross'
Conrad Ricamora ***
'Oh, Mary!'
Alternate: Gabriel Ebert, 'John Proctor is the Villain'
This is where the 'Glengarry Glen Ross' stars would show up, and they look poised to take up two or more spots on the list. Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk seem like the top contenders from that show, although Bill Burr could get a nod too (or instead). Veteran performer Francis Jue seems poised to be remember for his turn in 'Yellow Face,' and another industry favorite, Bill Irwin, will probably get some recognition for his comic turn in 'Eureka Day.' Among the other possibilities for this category: Gabriel Ebert ('John Proctor is the Villain') and Andrew Burnap ('Othello').
Eligible: Fred Armisen, 'All In: Comedy About Love' (Second Stage Theater); Alex Breaux, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Phoenix Theatre); Bill Burr, 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (Palace Theatre); Andrew Burnap, 'Othello' (Barrymore Theatre); Kieran Culkin, 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (Palace Theatre); Glenn Davis, 'Purpose' (Second Stage Theater); Ryan Eggold, 'Yellow Face' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Gabriel Ebert, 'John Proctor is the Villain' (Booth Theatre); Clark Gregg, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (Winter Garden Theatre); Francis Jue, 'Yellow Face' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Richard Kind, 'All In: Comedy About Love' (Second Stage Theater); T.R. Knight, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Phoenix Theatre); Anthony Michael Lopez, 'Othello' (Barrymore Theatre); Tony Macht, 'Oh, Mary!' (Lyceum Theatre); Michael McKean, 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (Palace Theatre); Thomas Middleditch, 'Eureka Day' (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); John Mulaney, 'All In: Comedy About Love' (Second Stage Theater); Bob Odenkirk, 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (Palace Theatre); Conrad Ricamora, 'Oh, Mary!' (Lyceum Theatre); David Rasche, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); James Scully, 'Oh, Mary!' (Lyceum Theatre); Christopher Sears, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Ephraim Sykes, 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Hadi Tabbal, 'English' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Richard Thomas, 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Zachary Quinto, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater).​
Featured Actress (Play)
Featured Actress (Play)
Alana Arenas
'Purpose'
Jessica Hecht
'Eureka Day'
Bianca Leigh
'Oh, Mary!'
Marjan Neshat
'English'
Kara Young ***
'Purpose'
Alternate: Leanne Best, 'The Hills of California'
Two Tony faves, Kara Young ('Purpose') and Jessica Hecht ('Eureka Day'), are sure things in this category, but beyond that, it's anyone's guess who gets the nod among a wide pool of strong performances. We're placing bets on Bianca Leigh from 'Oh, Mary!' as well as Marjan Neshat, a standout from 'English,' and Alana Arena, for her livewire perf in 'Purpose.'
Eligible: Alana Arenas, 'Purpose' (Helen Hayes Theater); Tala Ashe, 'English' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Stori Ayers, 'Home' (The Public Theater); Rosie Benton, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Phoenix Theatre); Molly Bernard, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Gabby Beans, 'Romeo + Juliet' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Leanne Best, 'The Hills of California' (Broadhurst Theatre); Roberta Colindrez, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Zoey Deutch, 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Tommy Dorfman, 'Romeo + Juliet' (Circle in the Square Theatre); Barbie Ferreira, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Ilana Glazer, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (Belasco Theatre); Renee Elise Goldsberry, 'All In: Comedy About Love' (Second Stage Theater); Amber Gray, 'Eureka Day' (Manhattan Theatre Club); Rebecca Henderson, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Jessica Hecht, 'Eureka Day' (Manhattan Theatre Club); Brittany Inge, 'Home' (The Public Theater); Ophelia Lovibond, 'The Hills of California' (Broadhurst Theatre); Andrea Martin, 'McNeal' (Vivian Beaumont Theater); Marjan Neshat, 'English' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Molly Osborne, 'Othello' (The Public Theater); Pooya Mohseni, 'English' (Todd Haimes Theatre); Kimber Elayne Sprawl, 'Othello' (The Public Theater); Fina Strazza, 'John Proctor is the Villain' (Booth Theatre); Helena Wilson, 'The Hills of California' (Broadhurst Theatre); Shailene Woodley, 'Cult of Love' (Helen Hayes Theater); Michelle Wilson, 'Our Town' (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Amalia Yoo, 'John Proctor is the Villain' (Booth Theatre); Kara Young, 'Purpose' (Helen Hayes Theater).​
Director (Musical)
Director (Musical)
Michael Arden
'Maybe Happy Ending'
David Cromer
'Dead Outlaw'
Christopher Gattelli
'Death Becomes Her'
Jamie Lloyd ***
'Sunset Boulevard'
George C. Wolfe
'Gypsy'
Alternate: Robert Hastie, 'Operation Mincemeat'
Eligible titles: 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,' directed by Christopher Renshaw (Studio 54); 'BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical,' directed by Jerry Mitchell (Broadhurst Theatre); 'Buena Vista Social Club,' directed by Patricia McGregor (Schoenfeld Theatre); 'Dead Outlaw,' directed by David Cromer (Longacre Theatre); 'Death Becomes Her,' directed by Christopher Gattelli (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre); 'Elf,' directed by Sam Scalamoni (Al Hirschfeld Theatre); 'Floyd Collins,' directed by Tina Landau (Vivian Beaumont Theater); 'Gypsy,' directed by George C. Wolfe (Majestic Theatre); 'Just in Time,' directed by Alex Timbers (Circle in the Square Theatre); 'Maybe Happy Ending,' directed by Michael Arden (Belasco Theatre); 'Once Upon a Mattress,' directed by Lear deBessonet (Hudson Theatre); 'Operation Mincemeat,' directed by Robert Hastie (John Golden Theatre); 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical,' directed by Gordon Greenberg (American Airlines Theatre); 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,' directed by Sergio Trujillo (James Earl Jones Theatre); 'Redwood,' directed by Kate Diaz (Nederlander Theatre); 'Smash,' directed by Susan Stroman (Broadway Theatre); 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends,' directed by Matthew Bourne (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); 'Sunset Blvd.,' directed by Jamie Lloyd (St. James Theatre); 'Swept Away,' directed by Michael Mayer (Longacre Theatre); 'Tammy Faye,' directed by Rupert Goold (Palace Theatre); 'The Last Five Years,' directed by Jason Robert Brown (Second Stage Theater)
Director (Play)
Director (Play)
Kenny Leon
'Our Town'
Patrick Marber
'Glengarry Glen Ross'
Sam Mendes
'The Hills of California'
Sam Pinkleton ***
'Oh, Mary'
Danya Taymor
'John Proctor is the Villain'
Alternate: Phylicia Rashad, 'Purpose'
Eligible titles: 'All In: Comedy About Love,' directed by Alex Timbers (Hudson Theatre); 'Cult of Love,' directed by Trip Cullman (Helen Hayes Theatre); 'English,' directed by Knud Adams (Laura Pels Theatre); 'Eureka Day,' directed by Anna D. Shapiro (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' directed by Patrick Marber (Palace Theatre); 'Good Night, and Good Luck,' directed by David Cromer (Winter Garden Theatre); 'John Proctor is the Villain,' directed by Danya Taymor (Booth Theatre); 'Oh, Mary!,' directed by Sam Pinkleton (Lyceum Theatre); 'Othello,' directed by Kenny Leon (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); 'Our Town,' directed by Kenny Leon (Ethel Barrymore Theatre); 'Purpose,' directed by Phylicia Rashad (Helen Hayes Theatre); 'Romeo + Juliet,' directed by Jack Antonoff (Circle in the Square Theatre); 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,' directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin (Marquis Theatre); 'The Hills of California,' directed by Sam Mendes (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre); 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' directed by Kip Williams (Music Box Theatre); 'Yellow Face,' directed by Leigh Silverman (Public Theater)
Original Score
Original Score
'Death Becomes Her'
'Dead Outlaw'
'Maybe Happy Ending' ***
'Operation Mincemeat'
'Real Women Have Curves'
Alternate: 'Boop! The Betty Boop Musical'
Eligible titles: 'BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical' (David Foster); 'Dead Outlaw' (David Yazbek & Erik Della Penna); 'Death Becomes Her' (Julia Mattison & Noel Carey); 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Will Aronson); 'Oh, Mary!' (Daniel Kluger); 'Operation Mincemeat' (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson & Zoë Roberts); 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (Joy Huerta & Benjamin Velez); 'Redwood' (Kate Diaz); 'Romeo + Juliet' (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky); 'Smash' (Marc Shaiman); 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (Danilo J. Walde); 'Tammy Faye' (Elton John); 'The Hills of California' (Nick Powell); 'The Roommate' (David Yazbek); 'JOB' (Composer information not available)
Musical Book
Musical Book
'Buena Vista Social Club'
'Dead Outlaw' ***
'Death Becomes Her'
'Maybe Happy Ending'
'Operation Mincemeat'
Alternate: 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical'
Eligible titles: 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical' (Book by Aurin Squire); 'BOOP! The Musical' (Book by Bob Martin); 'Buena Vista Social Club' (Book by Marco Ramirez); 'Dead Outlaw' (Book by Itamar Moses); 'Death Becomes Her' (Book by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey); 'Just in Time' (Book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver); 'Maybe Happy Ending' (Book by Will Aronson and Hue Park); 'Operation Mincemeat' (Book by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts); 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (Book by W.S. Gilbert); 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (Book by Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin); 'Redwood' (Book by Tina Landau); 'Smash' (Book by Rick Elice and Bob Martin); 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (Conceived by Cameron Mackintosh); 'Swept Away' (Book by John Logan); 'Tammy Faye' (Book by James Graham)
Choreography
Choreography
'Boop! The Musical' ***
'Buena Vista Social Club'
'Death Becomes Her'
'Pirates! The Penzance Musical'
'Smash'
Alternate: 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow'
Eligible titles: 'A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical' (choreographed by Rickey Tripp); 'BOOP! The Musical' (choreographed by Jerry Mitchell); 'Buena Vista Social Club' (choreographed by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck); 'Death Becomes Her' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name]); 'Elf' (choreographed by Liam Steel); 'Gypsy' (choreographed by Camille A. Brown); 'Just in Time' (choreographed by Shannon Lewis); 'Once Upon a Mattress' (choreographed by Lorin Latarro); 'Operation Mincemeat' (choreographed by Jenny Arnold); 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' (choreographed by Warren Carlyle); 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' (choreographed by Sergio Trujillo); 'Smash' (choreographed by Joshua Bergasse); 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends' (choreographed by Stephen Mear); 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' (choreographed by Coral Messam); 'Sunset Blvd.' (choreographed by Fabian Aloise); 'Swept Away' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name]); 'The Hills of California' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name]); 'The Last Five Years' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name]); 'Redwood' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name]); 'Tammy Faye' (choreographed by [Choreographer Name])
More Information (Tony Awards
More Information (Tony Awards
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, the Tony Awards honor excellence in Broadway theatre and remain the most prestigious recognition in American stage performance. Leadership at The Broadway League includes Chair Kristin Caskey and Interim President Jason Laks, while the American Theatre Wing is helmed by Chair Emilio Sosa and President & CEO Heather A. Hitchens.
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