Tony season officially kicked off May 1 with Tony winner Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce announcing this year's Tony nominations. Read on below to learn how the 2025 Tony nominees in the play categories heard the news, and what it's like to have their work recognized by the Tony Awards.
Keep checking this page for further updates as they come in. (Click
here to read reactions from nominees in the musical categories.)
Actors
Cole Escola, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Oh, Mary!
鈥淚 know it's cloying and mawkish to say but I hope you'll forgive me, because it's not every day you're nominated for Tony Awards. I'm astonished by how far our play has come. I could actually puke from gratitude. We busted our asses hoping to put on a good show for eight weeks downtown. And now here we are. On Broadway. Nominated for multiple Tonys. What a gift. It's all thanks to [director] Sam Pinkleton, the design team, the cast, and the crew who have taken this show so seriously and poured their hearts and souls into the creation of it. I am so grateful to them and to the Tony Nominating Committee for recognizing our work.鈥�
Daniel Dae Kim, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Yellow Face
"I'm really proud of the show. I feel like the entire company and our creative team worked so hard to bring this show to life, and it's really a validation of all the work we're doing. The fact that the play was nominated for Best Revival and that Francis [Jue] was recognized for Featured Actor, is all so meaningful to me and heartwarming, because it was a group effort. And when I think about the fact that I'm the first Asian-American to be nominated in this category, that feels especially significant, because it's not something I thought about before. I realized, and remember, how many Asian American actors there were before me who never received any kind of recognition despite the incredible work and hard work that they were doing for generations earlier."
George Clooney, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Good Night, and Good Luck
鈥淚t鈥檚 a thrill to have five nominations for this play. For everyone involved, this has been an incredible experience. I couldn鈥檛 be more proud or feel more lucky.鈥�
Harry Lennix, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Purpose
"I think it's a high comedy for the new millennium. This play is the most representative American play of the millennium. I don't think that it could have been written 10 years ago, given the proximity to COVID that happens within it, given all of the diagnoses of things like neuro-divergence, this language would not have been relevant 10 years ago. And [playwright Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins] is such a master at knowing having his finger on the pulse of what's going on, that the specific details of these characters in this story make it a defining play of the new millennium. And so, it's a great honor to be a part of it. This is rare. The nuance of the family dynamics are not often visited in plays with Black actors. Or, for that matter, white ones. You know, I think that it has a universal appeal. It is about enduring principles, such as purpose. What a perfect title. What is the reason that we are here? Shakespeare put it as, 'To be or not to be.' And Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins says, 'What is my purpose?' It's on that level."
Jon Michael Hill, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Purpose
"We're all pretty elated. From the first day of rehearsal here in New York, it has been a pretty tight family. It was a very challenging piece of work, but I think through all of it, we really stuck together, which is a testament to Phylicia Rashad's direction. Brandon was bringing in genius stuff every day, so we're just trying to enjoy it while it lasts."
Louis McCartney, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
鈥淪o, so thankful. Thank you to the Tony Nominators and to everyone who worked on Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Thank you to SFP, Netflix, Kate Trefry, and our amazing directors, Steven Daldry and Justin Martin. I feel so blessed to be welcomed into the Broadway community. So lucky and super excited. Thank you.鈥�
Bob Odenkirk, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Glengarry Glen Ross
鈥淭his group of extraordinary actors has inspired me, encouraged me, and gave me the confidence to step onto the stage in such an incredible show in a legendary venue. Kieran [Culkin]'s take on Ricky...which is stunning and honest鈥攁 Ricky Roma with a youthful, unblinking confidence. Bill Burr is the most powerful Dave Moss you can imagine, and Michael McKean delivers more laughs per second onstage than anyone鈥s well as buckets of humanity. Donald Webber Jr. has been a powerful, inspirational scene partner, and Howard Overshown is a joy to work with. Lastly, John Pirruccello is the best saddest James Lingk I could imagine, such a hoot to watch every night. [Director] Patrick Marber gave us incredible free rein to re-discover this classic play, and constant encouragement that I surely needed.
"The Broadway experience has been incredibly fun and welcoming, from the crews to the theatre personnel, to the audiences who show up with genuine excitement and encouragement every time. I am thankful to be embraced with such support by the community.鈥�
Conrad Ricamora, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Oh, Mary!
鈥淣ever thought I鈥檇 be playing Abraham Lincoln. Never thought our little Off-Broadway show would become this massive. Never thought I鈥檇 be nominated for a Tony. I guess never say never. So grateful for all the recognition this show has received from The Tony Awards.鈥�
Francis Jue, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Yellow Face
"It's so completely flabbergasting...it's hard to breathe. I can't feel my body. On the other hand, it feels like for 18 years, I've been thinking about this play, about David's father, about what it means to be an immigrant in this country, and... all of the above. I am ecstatic, in a way that i haven't been in a long time. And partly that's because Daniel Dae Kim also got nominated, which is historic. This is the first time an Asian actor has been nominated for a Lead Actor in a Play on Broadway. I'm ecstatic for David Henry Huang, because I think it's a great American play that is going to stand the test of time. It's been a banner year for Asians in theatre in New York and on Broadway. So I'm just ecstatic."
Glenn Davis, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Purpose
"I feel so great. It is a particularly impressive feat, I think, for Brandon [Jacobs-Jenkins] to be nominated for Best Play right after having won for Best Revival last season. For Kara Young to be nominated, sets a record, from what I understand, of four great nominations in that category. That's just impressive. I'm just thrilled for Steppenwolf. This play was commissioned by Steppenwolf, for Steppenwolf actors. We thought maybe it would transfer to another market. I couldn't, in my wildest dreams, have thought that it would end up being on Broadway with the reception that we've gotten. I'm just so very proud to be in this company alongside my fellow several actors, Jon Michael Hill and Alana Arenas and and then the incomparable LaTanya Richardson Jackson and also Harry Lennox, who's just as formidable as they come. And then having been directed by Phylicia Rashad, it's been particularly a dream for me. All the accolades of that the play has gotten, and the reception so far have been hugely rewarding. I'm very proud and humbled by it all."
Mia Farrow, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, The Roommate
鈥淗onestly, I didn鈥檛 expect this! I burst into tears. I wish my mom were here鈥攕he would have been so proud of me. I鈥檓 so overwhelmed with gratitude to be among these nominees, as this is just the best community in the world. I鈥檓 still in the 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god' mode!鈥�
Laura Donnelly, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, The Hills of California
鈥淭o bring a play to Broadway is a daunting and magical experience, and I鈥檓 so proud of this play and all the people who made it possible. I鈥檓 thrilled and extremely grateful to the Tony nominating committee for this recognition.鈥�
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, Purpose
"I am grateful. I am in shock because I was asleep and I got up to go to the bathroom. I said, 'Oh, my God, my phone!' I had forgotten about the nominations! I am just overjoyed that Purpose has been recognized in such a beautiful and magnanimous way. It's not just my prejudice, but I feel that Brandon has given the Broadway community an exceptional piece. For it to be recognized this fully with our ensemble, there are no words for it, except to have great gratitude that it was. To see what a time we're living in, that we are in a Tony season of a great play, and to be a part of it is more than I have could have ever asked for, or more than I could have a dreamed. It's part of a greater dream of always wanting to be in something that you think is really good. And this is beyond. This is exceptional. The people were involved in it, all of the cast, Phylicia Rashad our director, Brandon for writing. Harry Lennox, Kara Young, Glenn Davis, Alana Arenas, Jon Michael Hill... I'm just still in shock and great gratitude with shock."
Sadie Sink, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, John Proctor Is the Villain
鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of our John Proctor Is the Villain team, and grateful that the hard work and care put into our show is being recognized in such a huge way! I am so thankful for [director Danya Taymor] and [playwright Kimberly Belflower], and the endless belief and passion they instilled in our company. So much of my childhood was spent within the Broadway community, so the embrace and recognition mean the absolute world. Thank you to the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League for this honor!"
Sarah Snook, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, The Picture of Dorian Gray
鈥淚 am truly honored and grateful, especially to be nominated alongside my brilliant director, Kip Williams, and the incredible technical and creative team that pours their heart and soul into this show eight times a week. Although this is a one-woman show, it would be impossible without the extraordinary crew and talented collaborators supporting me both on and off stage. I am immensely proud to bring Oscar Wilde鈥檚 vision of Dorian Gray to life each night. Congratulations to all my fellow nominees!鈥�
Fina Strazza, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, John Proctor Is the Villain
"I am still in shock! I have dreamed of the possibility of the American Theater Wing granting me the distinct honor of a Tony nomination since my childhood in the Broadway community. I am so deeply grateful for their recognition of my work and the collective work forged through a crucible of commitment by the inspirationally talented cast, crew, creatives, and producers of John Proctor is the Villain. From Kimberly's brilliant script, Danya's masterful direction, powerful design, to the bewitching performances of my full cast, I am so profoundly humbled that our contributions have resonated enough to realize this dream-making moment. Someone pinch me! Thank you!!"
Jessica Hecht, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Eureka Day
"It always astounds me. I've been so lucky with the Tony Awards, but I'm not somebody that's always nominated, and I think it has given me a kind of abandon, sometimes, in choosing projects and playing around with characters that aren't always obvious. You sort of have to figure things out a little bit, and you're not always 100 percent sure what you're going to do with a part when you take those challenges. I thought this play was fabulous and incredibly funny, but I wasn't sure how it worked. And to figure that out and have it recognized is deeply rewarding. I think that also comes a little bit with feeling like, I don't care if we win something or if the reviews are perfect. I just care about making the characters of this play honestly. The rest is frosting. Making this play work is why we've all ventured into this rehearsal room and onto the stage. This particular play was an awesome, thrilling challenge. [This nomination is] a nice dessert at the end of a magnificent meal."
Kara Young, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Purpose
"LaTanya, Alana, Harry, Jon, and Glenn are anointed storytellers and I am honored share this sacred stage with these giants, as we breathe life into Branden鈥檚 delectable, irresistible brilliance of words and world, under Ms. Rashad鈥檚 masterful direction. With overwhelming gratitude in purpose, with purpose, on purpose."
Marjan Neshat, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, English
"I feel genuinely, really happy. It's my kid's birthday. I dropped him off at school. I went to the park. I was trying to learn lines and not tune in. And then [playwright Sanaz Toossi] FaceTimed me. When I saw her face, I knew, and we both started bawling. It feels truly like a miracle and very special. The fact that it was all of our Broadway debuts, the fact that [director Knud Adams] was there and the fact that we had such a short run鈥攁nd yet this play seemed to have landed in a way with people. It just makes me incredibly proud and a little more hopeful than I usually am about the way art can can have an impact."
Production
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Best Play, Purpose
"I feel wild. It's a good feeling. It's very surreal to see Sarah [Paulson] making the announcement too, which is so funny. I feel so excited for all the actors who are nominated. I'm so proud and grateful for this company and for Miss Phylicia, because this was really an incredible collaboration for me. [The play] premiered at Steppenwolf, which is the acting ensemble of the world. I feel like I hopefully met the brief for them."
David Henry Hwang, Best Revival of a Play, Yellow Face
鈥淭his morning's nomination is a joyful affirmation of the work director Leigh Silverman and I have done over 20 years, to create and refine Yellow Face into a play which can bring audiences together, to laugh and think about how to move our country forward. Thank you so much to the nominators!"
Jonathan Spector, Best Revival of a Play, Eureka Day
"Part of the strange journey of this play is that the conversations about it going to Broadway began in like fall of 2019, and then, of course, we were put on pause for a very long time. There are many different moments then when, during COVID, it was like, 'Okay, well, that's not going to happen.' In one sense, the possibility of it is something that I was living with for a very long time. But at many stages along the way then seemed like that moment had passed. So it's both: it's exciting and gratifying and still surprising on some level, but it actually happened."
Lynne Meadow and Nicki Hunter, producers at Manhattan Theatre Club, Best Revival of a Play, Eureka Day
Nicki Hunter: "I read this play in January of 2020 and immediately fell in love with it. I fell in love with its wit, fell in love with its amazing characters, fell in love with Jonathan's writing. So that's the first time we, MTC, had really encountered the play. We have long admired it, and we were able to go ahead with producing it this this past season."
Lynne Meadow: "It was a great experience working with Jonathan and working with the company, and we're very proud for the recognition that it's gotten, and also for the reception that it got, because people really had a great time seeing this show."
Direction
Sam Pinkleton, Best Direction of a Play, Oh, Mary!
"We made exactly what we wanted to make, the way we wanted to make it, with the people that we wanted to make it with, and we were supported every step of the way. The collaboration that Cole [Escola] and I have with our designers, our actors... it wouldn't work if we had been trying to make something commercial. We were just trying to make the thing we wanted to make. I really believe in that fiercely, and I hope it is contagious."
Kip Williams, Best Direction of a Play, The Picture of Dorian Gray
"The real privilege is getting to share the story on Broadway. That is such a privilege. To get to connect to New York audiences, particularly given that, you know, Oscar Wilde's career really took off in New York. He did this speaking tour in America that began in New York, and it marked the beginning of his celebration and recognition as being the singular thinker and artist that he was. It's his only novel, and it's one of his most iconic narratives. To bring that story to New York and to share it with New York audiences that is the dream come true. To have that act of of creation recognized in this way from from our peers, it's deeply humbling."
Design
59, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to be nominated alongside Miriam Buether for the scenic design of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Working with Sonia Friedman Productions, Netflix and the entire creative team provided an incredible opportunity to bring the world of Stranger Things to life on stage鈥攁nd to explore new and exciting approaches to the craft of stage design. We feel honored to be included in such a talented field.鈥�
Marg Horwell, Best Scenic Design of a Play and Best Costume Design of a Play, The Picture of Dorian Gray
"We love this show so much and to be recognized, and have our whole creative team recognized with nominations, is just really the cherry on top, just a really great way to kind of make a debut on Broadway. Wild! I'm working on a show at the moment. I'm going to go to work tomorrow, but I'm going to visit our director, Kip Williams, first thing in the morning, and he lives near the beach in Sydney. Maybe we're going to go out for breakfast. I think that we're just going to celebrate for probably the next few weeks. We're so excited!"
Scott Pask, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Good Night, and Good Luck
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled and so very excited about my Tony nomination for Best Scenic Design of George and Grant Heslov鈥檚 Incredible play Good Night, and Good Luck!!! I received the news on a phone call this afternoon while working onstage in London and I haven鈥檛 stopped smiling! Huge Congratulations to George Clooney, and the entire nominated design team! Absolutely Incredible!!!"
Brenda Abbandandolo, Best Costume Design of a Play, Good Night, and Good Luck
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled, elated, and slightly stunned. There is no other show I would want to experience my first nomination on. This was the perfect combination of collaboration, creative freedom, trust, and support. I鈥檓 so excited for George, Scott, Heather, David and Daniel on their nominations. And of course, thanks to David Cromer, Grant Heslov and George Clooney on their extraordinary vision!鈥�
Holly Pierson, Best Costume Design of a Play, OH, MARY!
鈥淚鈥檓 so honored and excited to be nominated for Best Costume Design of a Play for Oh Mary! This show has been an absolute joy to work on from the start, and it is so inspiring to collaborate with the most talented, generous collection of artists in the business. I鈥檓 so grateful to have worked with every single person on this show and marvel at their whole-hearted dedication to making this seriously silly comedy masterpiece.鈥�
Hannah Wasileski, Best Lighting Design of a Play, John Proctor is the Villain
鈥淚 was caught totally off-guard by a text message this morning from [director Danya Taymor]; I hadn鈥檛 remembered the announcement was even happening today. Beyond honored to share the nomination with Natasha Katz, and extraordinarily thrilled for the overall recognition of this play. Enormous gratitude for Kimberly, Danya, Natasha, and my incredible projections team.鈥�
Heather Gilbert and David Bengali, Best Lighting Design in a Play, Good Night, and Good Luck
鈥淕etting to create this 1950s world of a CBS newsroom and broadcast with George Clooney and David Cromer, and this entire cast and production team, was a dream come true. We are so grateful to be recognized with the amazing artists we made this with, and the amazing artists in our category.
Nick Schlieper, Best Lighting Design of a Play, The Picture of Dorian Gray
"Given that The Picture of Dorian Gray is the pinnacle of 'invisible lighting' shows, I never expected for a moment to be accorded the honor of a Tony nomination for it. So I'm both very surprised鈥攁nd very thrilled!"
Daniel Kluger, Best Sound Design of a Play, Good Night, and Good Luck
"It鈥檚 super exciting and humbling to have been able to contribute to Good Night, and Good Luck, as the project is a special synergy of political urgency, historical reflection and artistic rigor. I hope more people can see it. I am so proud of the sound and music, and grateful to the first rate team of collaborators, including associate Will Pickens, mixer Hannah Overton and Bryan Carter music director."
Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone & Edward Pierce, recipients of the 2025 Special Tony Award: Illusions & Technical Effects, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
鈥淲e are absolutely thrilled to be recognised by the Tony Awards for the Illusions & Technical Effects of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. This is a tribute to the power of collaboration between our creative team and the dozens of artisans and behind-the-scenes workers to pull off this ambitious visual production.鈥�
The 78th Annual Tony Awards ceremony will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall June 8, beginning at 8 PM ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Wicked film star and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo is set to host the evening.
The Tony Awards are produced in collaboration with Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, and White Cherry Entertainment. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss are executive producers and showrunners for White Cherry Entertainment. Weiss will serve as director.
The American Theatre Wing鈥檚 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At the Broadway League, Kristin Caskey is chair, and Jason Laks is president. At the American Theatre Wing, Emilio Sosa is chair, and Heather Hitchens is president and CEO.
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