Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 9, 2025 · Entertainment

Tony Awards 2025: A Night of Triumphs and Surprises!

Sarah Snook, 37, was the first winner at the star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday. She won for Best Leading Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray

Tony Awards 2025: The Night of Nights

Last night was all about glamour, drama, and a dash of controversy at the Tony Awards 2025. The Scholary Note's correspondent was on the red carpet, rubbing shoulders with A-listers, and getting the scoop on the hottest tickets in town.

The Winners:

Meanwhile George Clooney lost out the Best Actor in a Play award to Cole Escola, 38, who won for his performance in Oh, Mary! which he wrote and stars in

But first, let's get to the good stuff – the winners! And what a night it was for Sarah Snook, who took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her stunning portrayal of Sarah Churchill in The Picture Of Dorian Gray. The actress, known for her roles in Succession and Pride, was visibly moved as she accepted her prize.

The Drama:

But not everyone was feeling the love. George Clooney, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his turn in Good Night, And Good Luck, seemed less than thrilled with his loss to Cole Escola's Oh, Mary!. The usually charming actor was overheard muttering something about " politics" and "backroom deals".

Snook delivered an unbelievable performance in the show, playing all 26 characters

The Surprises:

And then there were the surprises. Jak Malone's win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his role in Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical sent shockwaves through the crowd. The newcomer's acceptance speech, which included a heartfelt thanks to his mom and a nod to the LGBTQ+ community, brought tears to the eyes of many.

The Fashion:

The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel

But it wasn't all about the talent – the fashion was, as always, a major highlight of the night. Megan Hilty, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her turn in Death Becomes Her, stunned in a custom-made gown that left little to the imagination.

The Controversy:

And then there was the controversy surrounding the choice of host, Cynthia Erivo. The EGOT winner and Oscar nominee was met with boos and hisses from some sections of the audience when she took to the stage to introduce the first award of the night. Insiders claim that Erivo's decision to use her platform to speak out on social justice issues had ruffled a few feathers among the more conservative members of the theater community.

'Thank you so much for this. This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway,' Sarah told the crowd as she accepted the award

The Highlights:

Despite the drama, the night was filled with many highlights. The Tony Awards 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of Hamilton, and the original cast reunited for a special performance that brought the house down. Lin-Manuel Miranda, accompanied by Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Ariana DeBose, Jonathan Groff, and Christopher Jackson, all of whom were part of the original production, wowed the crowd with their incredible talent.

The Recap:

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter presented her with the award

So, who won what? Here are the full list of winners:

  • Best Musical: Buena Vista Social Club
  • Best Revival of a Play: Eureka Day – Author: Jonathan Spector
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Cole Escola – Oh, Mary!
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Sarah Snook – The Picture Of Dorian Gray
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Francis Jue – Yellow Face
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Kara Young – Purpose
  • Best Direction of a Play: Sam Pinkleton – Oh, Mary!
  • Best Book of a Musical: Will Aronson and Hue Park – Maybe Happy Ending
  • Best Scenic Design of a Play: Marsha Ginsberg – English
  • Best Costume Design of a Play: Brenda Abbandandolo – Good Night, And Good Luck

And the full list of nominees can be found on our website at thescholarlynote.com.

Sarah beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California , Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain

The After-Party:

But that's not all, folks! The Scholary Note's correspondent was lucky enough to score an invite to the after-party, where the real fun began. We spotted Darren Criss and Jonathan Groff getting cozy with their dates, while Cynthia Erivo mingled with her friends in the corner.

The Gossip:

Escola went on to acknowledge his fellow nominees, including George, in his speech

And let's just say that there was plenty of gossip going around. Insiders claim that George Clooney and his wife Amal were seen having a heated argument on the red carpet before the show. Meanwhile, Cole Escola was overheard bragging about his " record-breaking" win to anyone who would listen.

The Scandal:

But the biggest scandal of the night came when it was announced that Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda had been given a special award for his contributions to the theater community. Insiders claim that Miranda's acceptance speech, which included a nod to his wife and kids, left some in the audience feeling uncomfortable due to its perceived politics.

Francis Jue, 61, won the best featured actor in a play for his performance in Yellow Face

The Conclusion:

And there you have it, folks – the Tony Awards 2025 in all its glory. From the drama to the fashion, the surprises to the scandals, this was one night that will go down in history as one of the most memorable in recent years. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of theater on our website at thescholarlynote.com!

He gave a passionate speech, telling the crowd: 'For those who don't feel seen, for those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At its best, this community sees you. And I hope that encourages you to be brave and to dream and to dream big'

Katie Holmes and Danielle Brooks presented him with the award

English actor Jak Malone, 30, nabbed the win for best featured actor in a musical, for his Broadway debut in Operation Mincemeat

In an impassioned speech, Malone told the audience: 'Eight times a week I walk out on that stage and tell the audience I'm a woman. I'm not one. I only convey it through simple adjustment to posture, voice, and energy, but night after night the audience is believe in Hester'

'If you watched our show and found yourself believing in Hester, I'm so glad to tell you that intentionally or otherwise you might have just bid farewell to cynicism, outdated ideas of that rotten old binary and open yourself up to a world that's already out there in glorious technicolor and isn't going away anytime soon'

He received the award from Adam Lambert and Charli D'Amelio

Kara Young won best featured actress in a play for her performance in Purpose

'In this world that we are so divided, theater is a sacred space! It's a sacred space that we have to honor and treasure. And it makes us united,' she stated in her acceptance speech

She was presented the award by Carrie Preston and Harry Potter star Tom Felton

The Best Featured Actress in a Musical award went to Natalie Venetia Belcon, 56, for her performance in Buena Vista Social Club

It was her first Tony nomination and win, and the star got emotional while accepting her award

At one point she also joked about having an 'obsession' with actor Jason Momoa, quipping, 'Hey, Jason. How you doing?'

She then thanked the 'real Buena Vista Social Club, who of course we could not do this without. I hope you will see this. I hope you are proud of us. It is such an honor to portray you'

She received the award from Rachel Bay Jones and Kristin Chenoweth

The best new play award went to author Branden Jacobs Jenkins and producer Glenn Davis for Purpose

They were presented the award by actor Ben Stiller

Author Jonathan Spector and producer Lynne Meadow accepted the award for Best Revival of a Play for Eureka Day

Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson presented them with the award

The best direction of a play award was given to theatre director Sam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary!

The award was presented by two-time Tony nominee Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney

Meanwhile the best direction of a musical Tony award went to Michael Arden for Maybe Happy Ending

George Clooney is competing for his massively successful play Good Night, And Good Luck in the lead actor in a play category; pictured with wife Amal Clooney

Acting legend Mia Farrow is competing in the lead actress in a play category; pictured May 16 in NYC; pictured with son Ronan Farrow

Snook wowed earlier on the red carpet

Pictured with husband Dave Lawson, whom she thanked in her acceptance speech

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is nominated for John Proctor Is The Villain

Nicole Scherzinger and Lea Michele brought plenty of glamour to the red carpet

Brooke Shields put on a leggy display

Ariana DeBose wowed in a cream silk dress

The show is being held on the hallowed stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, and it is hosted by three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo

Cole Escola, 38, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Play for his performance in Oh, Mary! which he wrote and stars in

Darren Criss and Jonathan Groff are both nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category

Bob Odenkirk is best known for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but he's now nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play category for Glengarry Glen Ross; Odenkirk (R) is pictured with costars Bill Burr (L) and Kieran Culkin (center)

Former Tony winner Oprah Winfrey (L) is among the stars presenting at the ceremony

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (pictured in the film) will reunite to present ahead of their performance in Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot

Lin-Manuel Miranda (second to right) will join the original cast of Hamilton to pay tribute to his hit musical for its 10th anniversary; pictured with original stars Leslie Odom Jr. (L), Phillipa Soo (second to left) and Ariana DeBose (R)