2025 Tony Awards: Watch the original ‘Hamilton' cast, Cynthia Erivo, and all of the night's performances

Boston Globe

5 hours ago

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Audra McDonald proved once again why she's Broadway royalty
Audra McDonald performs "Rose's Turn" from "Gypsy" during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Although she came up short in the best actress in a musical category, Broadway legend Audra McDonald once again showed why she's one of the stage's top stars with her performance on Sunday night. McDonald, who scored a record-setting 11th career Tony nomination for her role in 'Gypsy,' performed the song 'Rose's Turn' from the production, and boy did she deliver. There's a reason why McDonald has the most Tony wins for a performer, and Sunday's song and dance was just the latest example of her incredible talent.
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Cynthia Erivo kicked off the show in style
Host Cynthia Erivo, center, performs during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
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Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning star Cynthia Erivo made a strong case for being the go-to MC for every awards show with her incredible debut hosting the Tonys. After getting some help from Oprah Winfrey in the evening's cold open, Erivo took the stage and kicked off the ceremony with a stunning opening song, an original tune that paid homage to Broadway and the nominees. Backed by a choir clad in white (and then soliciting brief vocal cameos from audience members like Kristin Chenoweth and Adam Lambert), Erivo earned a standing ovation for her flawless opener.
Cynthia Erivo and Sara Bareilles performed a tearful in memoriam tribute
Sara Bareilles, left, and Host Cynthia Erivo perform "Tomorrow" during the In Memoriam segment during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
The show took an emotional turn during the in memoriam segment, with Erivo teaming up with singer Sara Bareilles for a duet of 'Tomorrow' from the show 'Annie.' The tribute honored artists and members of the theater community who've recently died, including James Earl Jones, Charles Strouse, Gavin Creel, and 'Cheers' star George Wendt. Bareilles was in tears after the song, with Erivo embracing the singer following their powerful performance.
Nicole Scherzinger wowed — and won big
Nicole Scherzinger performs "As If We Never Said Goodbye" during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
It was going to take a powerhouse performance to compete with McDonald for best actress in a musical, and according to Tony voters, that's what Nicole Scherzinger delivered in 'Sunset Blvd.' In addition to taking home the big prize for her role in the musical revival, earlier in the evening, the actress and singer brought the audience to its feet with her passionate and commanding rendition of 'As If We Never Said Goodbye,' easily one of the night's top moments.
Jonathan Groff got up-close and personal with Keanu Reeves
Jonathan Groff and the cast of 'Just In Time' performed at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
Pulling double duty on Sunday, Groff got his own time to shine before the big 'Hamilton' reunion. Nominated for best actor in a musical, Groff performed a medley of songs from his Bobby Darin musical 'Just in Time.' He even got Keanu Reeves in on the fun, going out into the audience for an up-close and personal moment with the 'John Wick' actor during the number.
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David Hyde Pierce and the cast of 'Pirates!" set sail
Tthe cast of 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' performed at Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
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Who knew David Hyde Pierce could play a washboard so well? The former 'Frasier' star joined his fellow cast mates from 'Pirates! The Penzance Musical' for an energetic performance of 'We Sail the Ocean Blue.' The production was nominated for best revival of a musical, ultimately losing out to 'Sunset Blvd.'
'Buena Vista Social Club' heated up the stage
The company from 'Buena Vista Social Club" performs during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Winner of four Tony Awards on Sunday night, the company of 'Buena Vista Social Club' heated up the stage with its rousing performance of 'Candela' from the Havana-set production. Natalie Venetia Belcon, who won the Tony for best featured actress in a musical, showed off her vocal prowess with an impressive turn during the musical number.
Megan Hilty delivered a showstopper
Megan Hilty performed a song from 'Death Becomes Her' at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
Another stage mainstay who gave it her all on Sunday was actress Megan Hilty of 'Death Becomes Her.' The best actress in a musical nominee delivered a bombastic performance of the song 'For the Gaze,' going full Broadway, complete with quick costume changes, showgirls, and backup dancers, plus some cartwheels and splits thrown in for good measure.
'Maybe Happy Ending' got its happy ending
Helen J Shen, left, and Darren Criss perform "Never Fly Away" from "Maybe Happy Ending" during the 78th Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
It turned out to be a happily ever after for 'Maybe Happy Ending' on Sunday night, as the show cleaned up with six Tony wins, the most of any production this year. After the production won best musical and best actor in a musical for lead Darren Criss, its star took the stage with costar Helen J Shen for a touching performance of the songs 'Chasing Fireflies' and 'Never Fly Away.'
'Dead Outlaw' stuck to its guns
Andrew Durand and the cast of 'Dead Outlaw' performed at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
While music with a country twang isn't the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Broadway, the company of 'Dead Outlaw' had viewers giddying up with its rockin' performance of the show's opening ballad and the song 'Dead.' The production earned seven nominations, including a nod for best musical.
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'Floyd Collins' dug deep
Jeremy Jordan performed a song from 'Floyd Collins' at the Tony Awards from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
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'Supergirl' star Jeremy Jordan and the cast of 'Floyd Collins' dug deep to give audiences an emotional performance of hits from the show, which centers around the titular character's journey underground during the infamous Kentucky Cave Wars. 'Floyd Collins' scored six Tony nominations this year, with Jordan earning a nomination for best actor in a musical.
'Operation Mincemeat' brought the laughs
The cast of 'Operation Mincemeat' performed at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
The cast of the WWII-set musical comedy 'Operation Mincemeat' broke out their best shirts and ties to bring the laughs during their rendition of 'Born to Lead.' The production earned four nominations at this year's Tonys, with star Jak Malone taking home the prize for best featured actor in a musical.
'Real Women Have Curves' dazzled
The cast of 'Real Women have Curves' performed at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
Earning two Tony nominations, the cast of 'Real Women Have Curves' (
Cynthia Erivo closed out the show with a bang
Cynthia Erivo performed at the Tony Awards live from the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
Michele Crowe/Michele Crowe/CBS
Before the curtains closed, audience members and viewers at home were treated to one more performance by the night's host, with Erivo doing one more song as the credits rolled. She performed a parody version of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' from the musical 'Dreamgirls,' earning laughs while also packing an impressive vocal punch to end the night.
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