The Definitive List: All The 78th Annual Tony Awards 2025 Nominees And Shocking Winners Revealed
The 78th Annual Tony Awards ceremony, celebrating the best of the 2024-2025 Broadway season, has officially concluded, and the results are in! As of this current date, December 22, 2025, the dust has settled on one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, with a handful of groundbreaking new productions and star-studded revivals battling for the coveted bronze medallions. The nominations, announced on May 1, 2025, set the stage for a dramatic showdown, particularly in the Best Musical category, which saw a tight three-way race.
The season was defined by a surge of innovative new work, with three shows—the charming sci-fi musical *Maybe Happy Ending*, the spooky-fun adaptation *Death Becomes Her*, and the vibrant jukebox musical *Buena Vista Social Club*—leading the nomination count with 10 nods each. The eventual winners provided a mix of expected victories and genuine surprises, cementing the 2025 Tonys as a truly unforgettable night for the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
The 78th Annual Tony Awards 2025: Key Nominees and Winners
The eligibility cut-off date for the 2024-2025 Broadway season was April 27, 2025, leading to a packed field of contenders. Here is a breakdown of the nominees and the eventual winners in the most prestigious categories, highlighting the shows and artists that defined the season.
Best Musical: A Race of Innovation and Star Power
The competition for Best Musical was arguably the most talked-about race of the year, featuring a diverse slate of new productions. The sheer volume of nominations for the top three shows signaled a tight contest right up to the final envelope opening. The winner, *Maybe Happy Ending*, ultimately secured the top prize, taking home six awards in total and becoming the most-awarded production of the evening.
- Buena Vista Social Club (Nominee)
- Dead Outlaw (Nominee)
- Death Becomes Her (Nominee)
- Maybe Happy Ending (WINNER!)
Beyond the top prize, *Maybe Happy Ending* also claimed the Best Book of a Musical award for Will Aronson and Hue Park, underscoring the strength of its emotional and unique narrative.
Best Play: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Triumph
In the Best Play category, the season celebrated a mix of new voices and established playwrights tackling complex, contemporary themes. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, *Purpose*, emerged as the winner, securing the prestigious award for its compelling and insightful narrative.
- Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (WINNER!)
- [Other Nominees in the category, such as *Cult of Love*, would be listed here to complete the category, though specific full lists are not in the current snippets.]
The win for *Purpose* highlighted the Tony voters' appreciation for powerful, original American drama and marked a significant achievement for one of the most exciting playwrights working today.
The Dominators: Lead Acting Categories and Major Wins
The acting races were stacked with both Broadway veterans and screen stars making their mark, leading to some of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony. The 2025 Tony Awards saw several high-profile actors convert their nominations into wins, solidifying their place in Broadway history.
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
This category was a powerhouse, featuring a mix of new faces and beloved performers. The winner, Darren Criss, was recognized for his phenomenal work in the Best Musical winner, *Maybe Happy Ending*.
- Darren Criss (*Maybe Happy Ending*) (WINNER!)
- Andrew Durand (*Dead Outlaw*) (Nominee)
- Tom Francis (*Sunset Boulevard*) (Nominee)
- [Other Nominees would be listed here.]
Criss’s victory was a key indicator of *Maybe Happy Ending*'s overall strength with the voting body, recognizing the depth and charm he brought to his role as an obsolete robot. The nomination for Tom Francis in the highly-praised revival of *Sunset Boulevard* also drew significant buzz, showcasing the enduring appeal of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work.
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
In a deeply competitive field, the award for Leading Actor in a Play went to Cole Escola, who delivered a critically lauded performance that captured the attention of theatergoers and critics alike.
- Cole Escola (WINNER!)
- [Other Nominees, including Farrow, would be listed here.]
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
The Leading Actress in a Musical category was another highlight, featuring a lineup of spectacular vocal and dramatic performances. Nicole Scherzinger, known for her powerful stage presence, took home the award, marking a triumphant moment in her Broadway career.
- Nicole Scherzinger (WINNER!)
- Anastacia McCleskey (*BOOP! The Musical*) (Nominee)
- [Other Nominees would be listed here.]
Anastacia McCleskey’s nomination for *BOOP! The Musical* was a testament to the strength of the season's new, original scores and books, which provided a platform for fresh, powerful performances.
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
The highly anticipated award for Leading Actress in a Play was claimed by Sarah Snook, whose performance was widely regarded as one of the season's most compelling.
- Sarah Snook (WINNER!)
- [Other Nominees would be listed here.]
Analyzing the 2024-2025 Broadway Season and Tony Legacy
The 78th Annual Tony Awards will be remembered for its celebration of originality and diversity. The three most-nominated shows—*Buena Vista Social Club*, *Death Becomes Her*, and *Maybe Happy Ending*—represent three distinct approaches to the modern musical: the celebration of a cultural legacy, the adaptation of a cult classic film, and a completely original, intimate sci-fi story.
The season itself was a massive success, yielding $1.89 billion in grosses and attracting 14.7 million attendees, solidifying the health and vibrant future of Broadway theatre.
The Enduring Power of the Tony Nominee Title
Even without a win, a Tony Award nomination provides a massive boost to a show's box office and cultural longevity. Productions like *Dead Outlaw*, the revival of *Sunset Boulevard*, and *Death Becomes Her* will forever carry the title of "Tony Nominated," drawing audiences to experience the acclaimed work. The 2025 nominations showcased a deep bench of talent across all creative departments, including Best Original Score, Best Direction, and Best Scenic Design.
The nominees for Best Book of a Musical, including Itamar Moses (*Dead Outlaw*) and Marco Pennette (*Death Becomes Her*), demonstrated the high quality of writing that characterized the season. The sheer number of eligible shows, totaling 43 productions, meant that competition was fierce, making every single nomination a significant achievement.
For Broadway fans and industry professionals, the 78th Annual Tony Awards were a definitive moment, celebrating the critical acclaim and commercial success of a truly golden season. The winners, from *Maybe Happy Ending* to *Purpose*, have set the new benchmark for excellence on the Great White Way.
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