It's hard to believe, but there are only two weeks before the 78th Annual Tony Awards will be presented at Radio City Music Hall.
That means, there are just about 16 or so chances left to see each of the acclaimed Broadway plays and musicals that are vying for Broadway's top honor. In such a crowded season (there were 43 Broadway openings), we've decided to help your show selection by spotlighting five of the musicals—a mix of both original productions and revivals—that are currently vying for 2025 Tony Awards.
In all, these five shows are nominated for a whopping cumulative 30 Tonys, and all are bringing audiences to their feet nightly in Broadway theatres across the city. So, before you sit down in front of your TV June 8 to watch Broadway's biggest night, be sure to catch one, if not all, of these musicals.
Just in Time
Last season, Jonathan Groff won a Tony for his performance as composer Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along. This season, he is nominated again for a Tony for playing another complex musician, the late Bobby Darin in the new musical Just in Time. Groff, who has never been more charming (or in better voice), completely shines as the crooner who was best known for his renditions of "Beyond the Sea," "Splish Splash," and "Mack the Knife." Directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers in-the-round at Circle in the Square Theatre—which has been dazzlingly transformed into an intimate nightclub—audiences get a chance to be closer than ever to Groff, who shines on stages throughout the venue and even performs standing atop one of the cabaret tables surrounded by theatregoers. The Broadway favorite is expertly supported by a wonderful cast that includes Tony winner Michele Pawk as Darin's mother, Gracie Lawrence as the big-voiced Connie Francis, Erika Henningsen as Sandra Dee, and more.
Just in Time is currently nominated for six Tonys.
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Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
The completely joyful new musical Real Women Have Curves may follow a specific family of Mexican immigrants, but the heartfelt production is one that will touch the hearts of every theatregoer. This coming-of-age tale follows high school senior and aspiring journalist Ana García—Tatianna Córdoba in a thoroughly exciting Broadway debut—who dreams of attending college in Manhattan, while her no-nonsense mom—played with perfection by One Day at a Time star Justina Machado—is relying on Ana to stay in the family's sewing factory. With a hummable, melodic score by newcomers Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, the new musical follows the plight of undocumented immigrants with equal parts heart and laughter and also gives the chance for its many supporting characters to shine—including the rich-voiced Florencia Cuenca in her Broadway debut as Ana's equally talented, but less celebrated sister Estela; and Mason Reeves in his own Broadway debut as Ana's adorably shy, college-bound boyfriend Henry. And, when the entire cast of women join forces for the musical's title number, celebrating the diversity of all women, there is a sense of exhilaration that is felt throughout the entire theatre.
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is currently nominated for two Tonys.
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Maybe Happy Ending
When Darren Criss told Playbill in September 2024 that his forthcoming Broadway outing, Maybe Happy Ending, would be "something that you have never seen the likes of before on a Broadway stage,” with "[Phantom of the Opera] level of production," one might have suspected the former Glee star was simply getting carried away by the prospect of originating a role in a new Broadway musical. But the actor was not exaggerating. Maybe Happy Ending, which has amassed an ever-growing and extremely loyal fan base since opening to rave reviews in October at the Belasco, is one of the most visually exciting productions of the season. You've really never seen anything like it. And, even though the musical concerns two robots on the edge of obsolescence, it is an extremely moving experience of the human condition, concerning everyone's need to be useful and the overwhelming desire to find love. Add dynamic performances from both Criss and newcomer Helen J Shen, spot-on direction by Michael Arden, and one of the great new scores of the season, and this gem of a musical should not be missed.
Maybe Happy Ending is currently nominated for 10 Tonys.
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Sunset Boulevard
The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Sunset Boulevard, which first played Broadway in 1994 (with a host of theatre greats including Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, and Elaine Paige) returned to the Main Stem earlier this season in a stripped-down production. Director Jamie Lloyd's black-and-white production is a major departure from the traditionally opulently designed musical, featuring a minimalist set and brilliant use of live video. The fast-paced production, which features vocal powerhouse Nicole Scherzinger as the ill-fated, former silent-screen star Norma Desmond, is utterly thrilling. Not only does Scherzinger raise the roof, but her co-star Tom Francis performs a show-stopping version of the title song that sees him singing the tune backstage at the St. James Theatre before heading onto W. 44th St. and subsequently returning to the stage just in time for the song's exciting conclusion. The evening culminates in a heart-racing bloody finale that will not be soon forgotten.
Sunset Blvd. is currently nominated for seven Tonys.
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Gypsy
Of all the wonderful musical performances I had the chance to see this past season, the one that sticks in my mind most was given by six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald as theatre's most legendary stage mother, "Momma" Rose. McDonald made history in two ways in this production: by being the first Black actress to play the role on Broadway and (with her 11th Tony nomination) being the most Tony-nominated actor of all time. She is also thrilling in George C. Wolfe's staging of the classic musical. From the moment McDonald excitingly implores, “Sing out, Louise,” the production and the emotion build and build until McDonald’s devastating “Rose’s Turn.” Without sacrificing the humor, this is a Gypsy that plays up the desperation of all its characters: Danny Burstein’s lovable Herbie, who is desperate for a family; Jordan Tyson’s exciting, big-voiced June, for success; Joy Woods’ heartbreaking, luminous Louise, for approval; the often-comical vaudeville troupers, for money; and Rose, for all of it, on her own terms, and at any cost. And, McDonald has never been more powerful. I am always struck by the seemingly limitless well of emotions from which she draws, never more so than in the showstoppers that end each act. That aforementioned desperation is palpable in both “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn”; her volcanic performance in the latter builds and builds until the audience is simultaneously shocked, mesmerized, and shattered by what they have witnessed. It is a performance not to be missed.
Gypsy is currently nominated for five Tony Awards.
Click here for tickets and information.
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