Tony Awards 2025: The best and worst moments of the night

Broadway's biggest night returned in full swing at the 78th Tony Awards—a celebration packed with talent, nostalgia, and hearty laughs. This year's show, led by the great Cynthia Erivo-loved by Gen Z for her next role in Wicked but long seen as big in theater for her win in The Color Purple, looked like a true love note to the stage. Stars and new faces filled the place, from Oprah Winfrey and Keanu Reeves to Charli D'Amelio and Adam Lambert, all there to honor a year of great shows.

Eleven shows lit the stage with top songs, Gypsy, Sunset Boulevard, and Real Women Have Curves were some of them, each one showing us the pure magic live theater gives. Ten years after it shook Broadway, Hamilton's first cast came back for a strong meet-up, with Lin-Manuel Miranda there too.

But even with all the clean show work, it was the real, raw bits, Sarah Snook's big talk, Audra McDonald's deep songs, and Francis Jue's soft honor that gave real heart to the event. Add in some fun unplanned bits that sure weren't in the plan, and the night turned into more than just a play; it was a full shared joy of skill, past, and all that makes Broadway feel like home.

At the 78th Tony Awards, it wasn’t just the standout performances and star power that caught attention—the night also reflected Broadway’s resilience and evolution. With theaters thriving once again and fresh stories taking center stage, the ceremony underscored a collective push to break boundaries and embrace more inclusive, diverse narratives.

Many winners showed this change by picking works that fought old ways of making tales and welcomed new voices. The feel in the room was not only about giving a nod to what had been done but also about the road ahead for live shows, where new ideas and space for all are key.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are some best and worst moments from the Tony Awards 2025

The 2025 Tony Awards had many great highs and a few tough lows. On the good side, Audra McDonald's show made the crowd feel like they were in a dream, and the Hamilton reunion was so full of feeling that many were moved. Cynthia Erivo led the night well, mixing warmth and fun.

Yet, not all parts were a hit; some winners spoke too long, making viewers lose focus, and some tech issues stopped the show for a bit. There were also some funny moments and unplanned looks that took us by surprise, showing us that TV shows, even when fancy, can always throw a curve.

1) Cynthia Erivo's powerful Broadway tribute and Hollywood's stage takeover

Cynthia Erivo stole the Tony Awards 2025 night! Cynthia Erivo started the night with a strong show of her deep roots. She made it clear that before her big part in Wicked, she was shaping her skills on stage. As the host for the evening, she showed great skill and charm.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards - Show - Source: Getty

Her song Sometimes All You Need Is a Song was a great gift for those who may only see her as the girl in green. Erivo praised Broadway's top season early on. She said a lot of its wins came from movie stars moving to the stage. She gave a fun nod to the well-known star, George Clooney, known for his role in Good Night and Good Luck.

She joked that to keep Broadway's great days here, we need shows like Succession to stay. The night also put a light on Sarah Snook, much-loved for her part as Shiv Roy on HBO's big show. She got a much-needed nod and at last won, following the path made by her Succession friends, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin.

2) Kara Young's speech gets cut short

As the host of the Tony Awards 2025, Cynthia Erivo made the night fun by saying that if anyone spoke for more than 90 seconds while taking their award, they would be softly led off with her singing. It was a light way to keep things going. Yet, this joke soon turned real in a bit of an odd but hard-to-forget way.

As Kara Young was wrapping up her speech for winning Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, a big win that was her second in a row, Erivo's singing gently started, hinting that Young's time was up.

Kara's deep words and Cynthia's song created a rare mood. They mixed a warm feel, fun, and the push of live TV together. Even though the time might not have been just right, it caught the hit-and-miss magic of award shows. It made us see that even when things are set up well, off-the-cuff acts and true feelings can still stand out.

3) Hamilton moment!

Hitting a big mark, the Hamilton cast came back to show the magic of the first ten years with a thrilling 'mixtape' of top songs at the Tony Awards. This wasn’t just a routine reunion; it was a thrilling musical tribute, it had the great Lin-Manuel Miranda and key first stars like Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Anthony Ramos, and more who made the show's sound stand out.

Each star lit up the stage, tying in bits from the show that touched people all over. The act was not just a look back; it was a strong push of how Hamilton changed theatre, mixing past tales with today’s beats and ways of telling a story.

As they sang and rapped known lines, the cast did not just mark ten years of wins but also the strong mark the show keeps on making on culture, music, and art. Their get-together was full of real feelings and a clear bond, showing how these tunes and tales are now a deep part of their lives, and those of many fans all over the world.

4) Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo's performance

Cynthia Erivo took a break from hosting to sing with Sara Bareilles. They sang Tomorrow, a well-known song from the beloved show Annie. Their voices mixed with true warmth and heart, making a strong tribute for friends from their circle who had died in the last year.

This group included greats like James Earl Jones, the skilled Gavin Creel, and the matchless Maggie Smith. As their song filled the air, the mood got heavy with feelings, showing the deep love and respect for those who were gone.

The show hit a deep point when Erivo softly soothed Bareilles, who was clearly shaken, crying for her close friend Creel. This warm movie showed not just how music can heal, but also stood as a mark of the tight bond and help that join artists, more so in hard times of loss and looking back.

5) Sarah Paulson's dress hits the mic

As Sarah Paulson went up to give out the award for Best Actor in a Play, a fun and odd thing took place. As she walked to the mic, her dress got stuck on it, making a small stop. It could have been weird in a more stiff spot.

But, Paulson made it fun, calling her dress a "man-eating dress" and making everyone laugh. Jean Smart, who was there with her, then said quickly that Paulson had taken her joke, and Paulson said yes, she did.

Their joint laughter and fun talk showed a true, easy link between the two actresses, making what could have been a small mess-up into a fun and key part of the event. This open chat brought a nice touch of warmth and fun to the event, making all who watched see that even in the bright lights, times of fun and friendship make it all feel more real and gripping.

6) Jonathan Groff and Keanu Reeves' hilarious moment

While singing Just in Time, Jonathan Groff turned a normal set of songs into something to remember well in the Tony Awards. He sang hits like Mack the Knife, That's All, and Once in a Lifetime. Then, in a fun twist, Groff stepped off stage and jumped right into the crowd. He sat on the lap of Keanu Reeves, with whom he was in Matrix Resurrections.

Reeves wasn't shocked. He joined in with joy, making rock-and-roll signs and joining in the fun that Groff set off. This cool swap broke the wall between the stage and the crowd, making a close and happy feel.

78th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Their real bond and fun air made the show glow with true life, changing a plain act into a wild party of pals and joy. It was this mix of shock and heart that let the time stay in everyone's mind well past the last sound.

7) Cole Escola's speech

Cole Escola made their Tony Awards 2025 first-time stand out, not just by winning, but by giving a talk that quickly became one of the night's big ones. After taking the prize for Best Lead Actor in a Play, Escola came up with the mix of true heart and fun jest that marks their work.

They started with deep thanks, naming their mom, the non-stop cast and crew, the makers, and close pals who made their path. Yet, just when the talk seemed to flow in the usual way of thank-yous, Escola popped in a surprise: a nod to "Tebo from Grindr." The crowd burst, lost in wonder and joy, and it was clear, this was not just any smooth show bit.

Escola mixed true feelings with sharp humor, showing thanks but also making fun of the usually too serious air of such events. By doing this, they told everyone that even in the world of big awards and bright lights, being real and funny still counts. They showed that in their world, making it big comes with both a thank you and a sly smile.

8) Megan Hilty turns chaos into craft in Death Becomes Her

Megan Hilty's nomination for Death Becomes Her seems less like normal awards and more like the world now sees how much she can do. Her great song, For the Gaze, was a type of show that grips you tight and won't let go, not just cause of her high singing, but due to the fast dance and big role changes happening fast.

In just one song, she turned from Dorothy Gale, with her check dress and red shoes, into Liza Minnelli, her voice and moves changing as quickly as her outfit in the Tony Awards 2025. It wasn't just about skill, it was a tale told through wild scenes, held tight by quick, funny timing and big show moves. The whole show danced on a line between bold show and deep art, and Hilty made it seem so easy.

She kept her voice strong while changing into hard outfits, all this while staying in her role and keeping the crowd in her grip, was a live show walk on a thin rope that most wouldn't even try. In a year full of skill, she found a way to stand out in a big and unique way. Forget Best Actress, let's push for a Tony in big stage magic, because Megan Hilty has nailed it.

The 2025 Tony Awards delivered a mix of highs and lows—just what you'd expect from Broadway’s biggest night. From breathtaking performances to awkward hosting moments and jokes that didn’t quite land, the evening was full of bold swings. Still, the standout acts reminded everyone why live theater continues to captivate, with several stars making a lasting impact in just a few minutes on stage.

But some parts seemed too planned or slow, showing that even the best shows can slip up when all eyes are on them. Yet, the joy of art, tough spirit, and being together stayed at the core of the show. For all its imperfections, the Tony Awards once again proved why Broadway continues to be a vital, evolving force, full of talent, surprises, and moments you just can't get anywhere else.