The 78th Annual Tony Awards, held on Sunday 8 June, will go down as one of the most unforgettable – and fabulously queer – nights in Broadway history.
Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, fresh off the release of her new album I Forgive You, a stunning WorldPride 2025 performance in Washington D.C., and buzz surrounding her film Wicked: For Good, the ceremony was a glittering celebration of queer talent and theatrical brilliance.
Between electrifying performances and emotional wins, the night was undeniably “For the Gaze”. From Broadway legends like Audra McDonald and Jonathan Groff to new stars shining bright, LGBTQ+ artists and stories took centre stage.
Here’s a breakdown of the LGBTQ+ highlights and wins from the 2025 Tony Awards — now streaming on CBS.com and Paramount+.
🎭 Maybe Happy Ending — 6 Wins (10 Nominations)
Michael Arden, an openly gay director, took home Best Direction of a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending, which dominated the evening with six wins, making it the most-awarded show of the night.
Starring Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen, the musical wowed audiences and critics alike.
Wins for Maybe Happy Ending:
- Best Musical
- Best Direction of a Musical — Michael Arden
- Best Book of a Musical — Will Aronson and Hue Park
- Best Original Score — Will Aronson and Hue Park
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical — Darren Criss
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical — Dane Laffrey and George Reeve
Also Nominated:
- Best Costume Design — Clint Ramos
- Best Lighting Design — Ben Stanton
- Best Sound Design — Peter Hylenski
- Best Orchestrations — Will Aronson
🎶 Buena Vista Social Club — 4 Wins (10 Nominations)
Directed by Saheem Ali, who is openly queer, Buena Vista Social Club celebrated Afro-Cuban culture through stunning visuals, choreography and music — and picked up four Tony Awards from its 10 nominations.
Wins for Buena Vista Social Club:
- Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical — Natalie Venetia Belcon
- Best Sound Design of a Musical — Jonathan Deans
- Best Choreography — Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck
- Best Orchestrations — Marco Paguia
Also Nominated:
- Best Musical
- Best Direction of a Musical — Saheem Ali
- Best Book of a Musical — Marco Ramirez
- Best Scenic Design — Arnulfo Maldonado
- Best Costume Design — Dede Ayite
- Best Lighting Design — Tyler Micoleau
🏳️🌈 A Night “For the Gaze”
This year’s Tonys brought together queer joy, defiant visibility, and outstanding artistry. From Nicole Scherzinger’s dramatic Sunset Boulevard number to Jonathan Groff’s emotional Just in Time performance, and a dazzling Gypsy tribute by Audra McDonald, it was clear Broadway is thriving — and queerer than ever.
As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face political challenges globally, the 2025 Tonys were a resounding reminder of theatre’s power to reflect, uplift, and unite.
