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 musical 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 play categories.)

ACTORS

Brooks Ashmanskas, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Smash
“Wow! I’m beyond delighted to be on this list alongside such brilliant gentlemen and to represent SMASH. What an absolute honor!”

Jeb Brown, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Dead Outlaw
“I didn't know my phone's text capacity was so vast. It seems people care about the Tonys...I've certainly cared about them and tuned in with my family as far back as I can remember. I guess I've enjoyed them as a spectacular celebration of Broadway theatre, which I've loved since I saw my first show at age six...Applause, with Lauren Baccal. This year I'll have a good seat and I'll be cheering the community on full-throated.”

Danny Burstein, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Gypsy
“I am absolutely thrilled—thrilled for Audra, thrilled for Joy, thrilled for Camille, and the entire company of Gypsy. This whole project has been a labor of love, and I’m just so honored to be a part of it.”

Natalie Venetia Belcon, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Buena Vista Social Club
"It's a great way to wake up. No complaints! …This one is everything. It's personal, not just because I've been away for ten years, but because of my family's history with the music and the band in particular. So it's very personal. This one means everything!"

Darren Criss, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending
“I’d like to be very clear: before this morning I was already fully charged. Since day one, Maybe Happy Ending has been an ongoing, exponential miracle. And for the last several months, my battery has been in a constant state of overwhelming joy and gratitude. So in many ways, the air today in Seoul is no different. This morning’s announcements aren’t the reason why I show up to work or love what I do or love who I work with. They are, however, a fitting celebration of that same community, artistry and glorious collaboration—whose fruits of labor have been such an incredible gift to me. And so I gladly accept today’s news with pride and the excitement that it may allow our little light to shine as brightly beyond the Belasco Theatre as possible. And now, on with the show…”

Andrew Durand, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Dead Outlaw
“I am exploding with joy and gratitude! I saw my first play when I was ten years old at a community theatre in Roswell, Georgia, and I was hooked. When I wasn’t doing shows, I was painting the sets, selling the pop corn, anything I could to be around that magic. That trend has continued to shape my entire life. To be recognized by the very community that I have loved ever since I can remember is the highest honor. What makes it even more special, is to have it happen with Dead Outlaw. I feel so incredibly lucky to get to be telling this story, with these incredible theatre artists and makers, at the top of their game, who came together to make a truly original and beautiful piece of theatrical art. We are having the time of our lives.”

Tom Francis, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
“This is absolutely wild. I am stunned and a bit lost for words. To be recognized among this incredible group of artists is an unbelievable honor and beyond my wildest dreams. Massive congratulations to my fellow nominees and all the nominated shows this season.”

Megan Hilty, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Death Becomes Her
"I am completely blown away! To be acknowledged by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing for the years of love, sweat, and hard work we’ve joyfully put into building this show is truly the greatest honor. My gratitude is endless, and I am so deeply proud of what we’ve achieved as a company. And to be personally recognized and listed amongst such astonishingly talented leading ladies has literally made my childhood dreams come true. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

James Monroe Iglehart, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
“I am honestly shocked by this but at the same time thoroughly excited. But I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the incredible work from all the people that worked on our production. I would be nothing without the four incredible ladies who played Louis’ wives and the amazing ensemble that made this show shine and the creative team and crew that created this magnificent show about this legendary giant in this industry. I am so happy to be recognized for work that I am so proud of and so glad we got to do this wonderful show together!”

Jeremy Jordan, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Floyd Collins
"What an honor and the deepest privilege, not only to be recognized, but given the opportunity to tackle this role of a lifetime. I did not know what to do with myself this morning. Cut to me getting my daughter ready for school and suddenly full-out weeping into her backpack. My wife had to tell her they were 'happy tears.' If you know me, that just about says it all."

Julia Knitel, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Dead Outlaw
“There are no words to describe how absolutely over the moon I am. Dead Outlaw is a dream come true in every single way. Every day that I get to be a part of this piece of theatre is a gift, and I feel so grateful that this team has allowed me to live in Maggie/Millicent/et al. many, many shoes (and hats) for the last two years. To be recognized for my part in the magic that this brilliant group collectively creates every night is overwhelming, humbling, and a true honor. I say it every day, but especially so today: I am the luckiest girl in the world.”

Justina Machado, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
"Oh, [this Tony nomination] means everything. I'm from Chicago. I moved from Chicago to New York in the 90s, because this is really what I wanted to do. My life took me somewhere else, and I ended up in Los Angeles, which I love. I've been there for many years, and my career was mostly TV, some film. I got the opportunity to come back and do this. This is a dream come true. It means everything. It's like a full circle."

Jak Malone, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Operation Mincemeat
"I’m overjoyed and overwhelmed and over par to be nominated for a Tony Award. Coming to Broadway has been a lifelong dream. I’m grateful for the warmth and openness of this gorgeous community and to SpitLip and the entire Operation Mincemeat team for the untold joy that this show continues to bring."

Audra McDonald, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Gypsy
“I’m so honored to have been nominated for Gypsy alongside Joy Woods, Danny Burstein, and Camille A. Brown. As a Black actor, Rose was never a character I thought I would play until my dear friend Gavin Creel planted the idea in my head. It took a long time for the idea to germinate, and I never would’ve been able to get here without the vision of our director George C. Wolfe, and the immense talent of our creative team and cast. I feel so incredibly grateful to share this Gypsy with the world and to be a part of the legacy of one of the most perfect musicals ever written.”

Jasmine Amy Rogers, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, BOOP! The Musical
"I burst into tears [upon learning of the nomination]… It's amazing. Oh, my goodness!…It means everything. It's something that I've always dreamt of. It's one of those things that you always dream, but you're not sure if anything will ever be that amazing in your life—if you'll have the honor to get to do something like this. The fact that it's happening, it doesn't feel real. It feels impossible, and it is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me!"

Nicole Scherzinger, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
"This has been a remarkable season on Broadway with many truly amazing women shining on stage. I wake up every morning and can't believe I get to be a part of this community. I feel so blessed. Little Nicole always dreamed about doing this, and to be recognized with a Tony nomination is a privilege and is deeply thrilling. I’m so grateful. A huge thank you to the Wing and the League for this honor, but especially my champions Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jamie Lloyd. I'm thrilled for everyone at the St. James including my friend and co-star Tom Francis and our designers Jack Knowles and Adam Fisher and orchestrator David Cullen."

Jennifer Simard, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Death Becomes Her
“My mother was my softball coach and instilled in me the meaning of teamwork. We at Death Becomes Her are a team, and I am so grateful for every single player who makes me better. Thank you to the Tony Award Nominating Committee for this incredible honor.”

Taylor Trensch, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Floyd Collins
"I woke up to the sound of my shower curtain crashing to the ground, and then I saw a giant roach in the corner of my apartment and thought, 'Well, this can’t be a good omen.' Feeling mighty lucky and mighty grateful."

Joy Woods, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Gypsy
"I still very much feel like I'm the at the beginning. It feels like a confirmation that I'm on the right track, certainly not an ending. I just like to think of it as an affirmation. Being nominated alongside Audra [McDonald] and Danny [Burstein] and Camille [Brown] and [the show]. I've learned so much, not only from them, but from everybody in that building and out, including the team that isn't there, now that we're open. I just feel very lucky and feel like I'm representing the show in a positive way."

Megan Hilty, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Death Becomes Her
"I am completely blown away! To be acknowledged by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing for the years of love, sweat and hard work we’ve joyfully put into building this show is truly the greatest honor. My gratitude is endless and I am so deeply proud of what we’ve achieved as a company. And to be personally recognized and listed amongst such astonishingly talented leading ladies has literally made my childhood dreams come true. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!"

WRITERS

David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, Zoë Roberts (SpitLip), Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Operation Mincemeat
"To even be in this season, among the absolute best in this business feels utterly surreal. Huge congratulations to the other nominees, many of whom are our all-time heroes and inspirations. We love comedy, we love theatre, we love this story and telling it. To the city of New York and Broadway itself, we are so humbled by this welcome. Now we must stop screaming, we have a show tonight."

Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
Huerta: "I heard my name, and [my daughter] heard it, and I just started crying. I'm crying again! It's just a little surreal to me, to be so new to the theatre world. This just feels like such a big accomplishment for me and for Benjamin, after all the time and effort and heart and soul that we put into this, just to have that recognition it means the world."
Velez: "I've been working towards this for so long. When it happened, my mom called, and I was screaming at the phone for five minutes, like, 'Hello, hello!' She couldn't speak. She was crying so much. I've been doing theatre since I was six, and my mom drove me to every piano lesson, every rehearsal, and I'm just so grateful for getting here. It feels like it was worth all of it. It's just such a magical recognition from the industry to feel like you finally made it. Even though not everyone can get it every season, I just feel so lucky that we got this recognition and this opportunity to tell the story, because it's been a really incredible journey."

Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Death Becomes Her
“As a couple of Bay Area kids who grew up watching the Tonys and dreaming of one day getting to be a part of it all, we are completely overwhelmed and deeply touched by this honor. We are so proud of our wild and joyful show, and of every single person who’s been a part of bringing Death Becomes Her to life."

Itamar Moses, Best Book of a Musical, Dead Outlaw
"It just feels like the nicest cherry on top of a really wonderful artistic experience. I mean, you know, we went through something similar with The Band's Visit, where we made something that we knew was unusual and broke certain rules, but that spoke to our taste and what we wanted to say. And so for people to embrace that always feels incredibly gratifying. It's just great. And I love how many nominations the show got, sort of recognizing the work of all these different people, each of which contributed something crucial."

Erik Della Penna, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Dead Outlaw
“When I heard about the Tony nominations, I suddenly felt artistically validated. I’ve been pondering this story since David Yazbek told it to me many years ago. Dead Outlaw is a meditation on mortality and American culture. And these nominations corroborate that story.”

Marco Pennette, Best Book of a Musical, Death Becomes Her
"Well, I'm on the West Coast, so I was in bed, it was like 5:30 in the morning. The phone started dinging. I just figured, 'Well, people wouldn't call me this early to say I didn't get [nominated].' That would be mean. So it was really lovely. I want to call everyone from high school that didn't go to the prom with me, and say, 'Huh?' It was incredibly thrilling."

Marco Ramirez, Best Book of a Musical, Buena Vista Social Club
"I’m honored to receive this recognition. I’m grateful to a creative team and an audience that took a giant leap of faith with us as we created a new kind of musical. For me, this whole experience has been about honoring musicians, the artists who fill our lives not just with music—but with meaning."

David Yazbek, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Dead Outlaw
“The true story of the Dead Outlaw was first shared with me decades ago by someone who remains a close friend. I wrote these songs with my close friend and bandmate Erik, and then we constructed this show with my friends and valued collaborators Itamar and Dave Cromer. There is nothing like working with people you look forward to being with on a daily basis. My thrill this morning is seeing these people who I love get the flowers they deserve.”

DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

Saheem Ali, Best Direction of a Musical, Buena Vista Social Club
"In the late 1990s my father, a pilot for Kenya Airways, brought home a CD to add to his eclectic collection: Buena Vista Social Club. Though Swahili was my mother tongue, the Spanish songs captivated me, and I memorized the lyrics without knowing what they meant. Fast forward decades later, working on this show has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I'm deeply proud of every single member of the creative team. May we continue to create new musicals that push the boundary of what’s possible and celebrate the diversity of music vocabularies in our world."

Michael Arden, Best Direction of a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending
“I am truly overwhelmed and deeply honored to be nominated for Best Direction of a Musical for my work on Maybe Happy Ending. Collaborating with this incredible team of artists on Will Aronson and Hue Park's brilliant musical has been a highlight of my career and life as an artist. I am also so proud of the work done by our stars Helen J Shen, Darren Criss, Dez Duron, and Marcus Choi. Special thanks to Justin Scribner, our steadfast PSM and the incredible crew at the Belasco Theatre, who make the magic happen nightly. Bravo and congrats to all the shows on Broadway this season!”

Camille A. Brown, Best Choreography, Gypsy
"It feels so good. I have loved Gypsy. I grew up on the 1962 version, and so it's been a part of my life since forever. This was a chance for me to show another side of myself. It feels really good to be acknowledged for this and for a classic theatre show.…It feels special every time. I really try to live in each moment. Last year was Hell's Kitchen, and I was so honored to be a part of that process, because I'm originally from New York. And for colored girls…, that was my first time directing on Broadway. Choir Boy, that was something that I went into that process not thinking that there was going to be so much movement that I was [going to be] able to showcase on the stage. So each thing matters, and I think it's important that I celebrate each one and celebrate it to the fullest. So I told myself, if I was going to be nominated this time, that I was really going to celebrate. Sometimes you get the nomination, and then it's off to the races. I think it's important to just stop and breathe and go, 'Wow, this was a moment.'"

David Cromer, Best Direction of a Musical, Dead Outlaw
“I had an incredibly rewarding 18 months collaborating with composers, cast, designers, producers, GMS, PMs, SMs, ADs, etc on Dead Outlaw. I am proud to share these nominations with every one of these motherfuckers.”

Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, Best Choreography, Buena Vista Social Club
"We are totally ecstatic to be nominated for our work on Buena Vista Social Club. Our very first dance at our wedding was done to a Buena Vista Social Club song. Now here we are, six years later, getting to open our musical Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway as co-choreographers. This music has such personal roots for us, and to be given the opportunity to build a dance language that can be an extension of this musical spirit is one that we will cherish forever."

Christopher Gattelli, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography, Death Becomes Her
“I was so excited and proud of our show, but had my phone on alerts because I was anxious. Then I heard a few 'bings' and saw the news about Best Musical and Megan and Jen’s nominations and was already proud. Then my agent Joe Machota called me from London, and we listened together. Was a special moment to hear him tell me about my nominations that I won’t forget. As my first outing on Broadway as a director, I’m humbled, grateful, and filled with so much pride for our entire show and the recognition across the board.”

Jamie Lloyd, Best Direction of a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
"I’m overwhelmed about the news of our seven nominations and am honored to have been nominated for Best Director. Obviously, my first calls were to Nicole, Tom, Andrew, Jack, and Adam to congratulate them as we celebrated with The Jamie Lloyd Company team. It’s hard to believe we have devoted two years of our lives to this production, and I can’t imagine doing any of this without our remarkable company and everyone at the St. James Theatre. Sunset Blvd. has quite literally changed my life.

I want to express my gratitude to the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, and to the entire Broadway community, who have welcomed us with open arms. New York is my second home, and this community constantly inspires me — it gives us all 'new ways to dream.' It’s a remarkable day to be a Broadway theatre artist and I congratulate all of this morning’s nominees. I look forward to celebrating in person very soon."

Jerry Mitchell, Best Choreography, BOOP! The Musical
“This nomination represents a tireless cast of dancers dedicated to sharing a tsunami of joy with audiences eight times a week. I am grateful to their full-out dedication to every step, kick, tap and turn. Nothing makes me happier than being in a room creating dance, Broadway dance that makes audiences hearts cheer.”

DESIGNERS AND ORCHESTRATORS

Gregg Barnes, Best Costume Design of a Musical, BOOP! The Musical
“As amazing as it feels to be nominated…and it does feel amazing…nothing is better than sharing a fitting room with the magical company of actors of BOOP! I share this honor with them.”

Jonathan Deans, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Buena Vista Social Club
"Being nominated for a Tony Award for Buena Vista Social Club is an extraordinary honor. This story, rooted in rich musical heritage and cultural legacy, has always meant so much to me, and to see it embraced on Broadway in this way is profoundly moving. This nomination isn’t just about me; it’s a celebration of the Cuban spirit, resilience, rhythm, and storytelling through music. I’m incredibly grateful to the musicians, cast, creative team, and everyone who helped bring this production to life. To be recognized by the theatre community for a project that carries so much heart and history is beyond anything I could have imagined. I carry this nomination with immense pride, and with deep love for the artists and traditions that inspired it."

Adam Fisher, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
"I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical. Bringing this production of Sunset to Broadway is a dream come true and something I’m immensely proud of. Huge thanks to the amazing sound team who made it all possible!"

Rachel Hauck, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Swept Away
“Wow!! I’m completely shocked and totally thrilled to be nominated! They remembered our boats! I’m in California with my family, and my sister and I got up to watch with my partner Lisa on Zoom. We screamed, then cried, and then ran in and woke up my mom! I loved making the incredibly beautiful Swept Away so much—we were all so close and interwoven—the amazing cast, my partner in crime, the brilliant Kevin Adams, Michael Mayer’s stunning direction, John Logan’s beautiful book, David Neumann my bother in art—such a heartbreakingly beautiful show—I’m completely thrilled!”

Jack Knowles, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
I feel so thrilled and honored to be nominated. Being able to explore the role lighting can play in storytelling in this way was truly a dream, the design for Sunset Blvd. is grounded on a foundation of precision and detail that demands a huge amount from all involved, and I feel truly grateful for having such a dedicated team with me on the show—cast, creatives, crew and producers. To be recognized for all of this really is a true joy."

Dane Laffrey, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending
"I’m overjoyed to be nominated alongside my brilliant collaborator, video designer George Reeve, as well as our entire design team. We set out to make a show that is wholly unique and innovative in the way it looks, feels, and moves. It’s been so thrilling to see how Maybe Happy Ending has been embraced this season —these nominations are the icing on the cake!"

Arnulfo Maldonado, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Buena Vista Social Club
"I’m so proud to be associated with this show, and a Tony Award nomination for my work on Buena Vista Social Club is such an incredible honor. Historically Latin stories have not always been platformed so prominently, and it’s thrilling to be included at a moment where Latin talent is front and center and right in the spotlight."

Derek McLane, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Death Becomes Her
“Death Becomes Her is a big, ambitious show that nearly made us all want to drink Viola’s magic potion. There were so many tricks and effects to figure out; at times it felt like we might never finish. And so, at the end of it all, to receive this recognition of a Tony nomination feels enormously gratifying!”

Marco Paguia, Best Orchestrations and Special Tony Winner (with the Band), Buena Vista Social Club
“I’m still processing the news from the morning, and overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s thrilling to be nominated alongside the amazing artists at my show, and I’m humbled by the company of my fellow orchestrator nominees. I’m ecstatic for the incredible recognition for the band of Buena Vista Social Club, and honored to make music with them at the Schoenfeld, sharing the legacy of Cuban music with incredible audiences each and every night.”

Clint Ramos, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending
"I’m so grateful! This is dedicated to the entire company of Maybe Happy Ending. May we all live in this musical’s themes of love and what it truly means to be human."

Dan Moses Schreier, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Floyd Collins
"I first worked on Floyd Collins in 1996 when the show premiered Off-Broadway. What a gift to be able to revisit the show as a more experienced artist and be able to bring a new level of work and insight to the productions. It’s an incredible honor for the work to be recognized by the tony committee after all these years."

Paul Tazewell, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Death Becomes Her
“I am beyond thrilled to be nominated for a Tony for my costume design for Death Becomes Her. It was an absolutely joyful experience of hilarity to collaborate with my design colleagues, the brilliant Christopher Gattelli, and the exceptionally talented cast!”

PRODUCERS

Wendy Federman, Producer, Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Sunset Blvd., Gypsy, Smash, Glengarry Glen Ross
"This marks my 18th year as a Tony Award nominee, I remain deeply proud to be part of this vibrant creative community. Congratulations to the nominees from my shows—Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Sunset Blvd., Gypsy, Smash, and Glengarry Glen Ross—and to all the nominees: enjoy this moment. You’ve earned it."

Mara Isaacs and Tom Kirdahy, Producers, Gypsy
“We’re deeply honored that the Tony nominators recognized our revival of Gypsy, with a constellation of singular performances, led by the incomparable Audra McDonald. We’re enormously proud of this production of Gypsy, based on George Wolfe’s vision and Camille A. Brown’s original choreography and rooted in an authentic theatricality that illuminates the complexities of ambition and love.”

Tom Kirdahy, Producer, Gypsy and Just in Time
“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful that Gypsy and Just in Time have been recognized by the Tony Awards this season. These nominations are truly a testament to the remarkable artists, creative teams, and dedicated crews who poured their hearts into both of these productions. Bringing these productions to life has been an incredible joy, and I am beyond excited to see them celebrated in this way. I feel privileged to work with some of the finest theatre artists of our time.”

Orin Wolf, Producer, Buena Vista Social Club
“I'm so proud of every person who had a hand in making this musical over the last seven years. That the work of our entire creative team has been recognized by the Tony committee is a testament to their talent. That our beautiful and utterly unique show is beginning to find a real audience on Broadway is a testament to the adventurous spirit of our ticket buyers and what they are experiencing in the theatre. And finally, that our band received a special Tony—I'm really speechless and humbled by that incredible gesture. Buena Vista Social Club is unlike anything I've ever worked on or even seen before. I'm so honored to stand behind this team.”