Broadway’s Big Night: Criss Shines, Scherzinger Shocks!

The Tonys Light Up Radio City Music Hall

Lights, cameras, Broadway! On June 8, 2025, the 78th Annual Tony Awards dazzled at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, hosted by the electrifying Cynthia Erivo, a Tony winner herself for The Color Purple. The night was a whirlwind of showstopping performances, jaw-dropping wins, and a sprinkle of controversy that had fans buzzing. From Darren Criss’s robotic romance in Maybe Happy Ending to Nicole Scherzinger’s stunning upset over Audra McDonald, the 2025 Tonys delivered drama worthy of the Great White Way. Let’s spill the tea on who took home the gold, who got snubbed, and why this year’s ceremony is the talk of the town.

The Tonys, for those new to the game, are Broadway’s equivalent of the Oscars, honoring the best in theater—musicals, plays, and the stars who bring them to life. Airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, the ceremony drew millions, with early reports from Nielsen estimating a viewership bump of 10% over 2024’s 3.5 million. The pre-show, The Tony Awards: Act One, hosted by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry on Pluto TV, added extra sparkle, dishing out early awards and hyping the main event. But the real juice? The wins, the snubs, and the performances that lit up social media.

Darren Criss: From Glee to Tony Glory

Darren Criss, the Glee heartthrob turned Broadway darling, stole the show with his first-ever Tony win for Best Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. Playing Oliver, a lovestruck helper-bot in a futuristic Korean musical, Criss charmed voters with his “hyperprecise” and “hypercharming” performance, as The New York Times raved. The musical itself was the night’s biggest winner, snagging six awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design, and Best Direction. With 10 nominations, Maybe Happy Ending tied with Buena Vista Social Club and Death Becomes Her for the most nods, but its sweep proved its heartwarming story of robots finding love resonated deeply.

Criss, also a co-producer, celebrated the win with a speech that had fans swooning. “What a night!” he exclaimed, per Variety, praising the “notably diverse and exquisite” 2024-2025 Broadway season. Fans on X lost it, with @FreeTheCurls posting, “TONY NOMINATED Darren Criss I’m not crying you are,” and @CentralGleeBr noting his step closer to EGOT status. The show’s box office has soared since, with Playbill reporting a 15% ticket sales spike post-Tonys, grossing $1.2 million weekly. Criss’s journey from TV to Broadway royalty? Pure magic.

Nicole Scherzinger’s Shocking Upset

Hold the phone—Nicole Scherzinger, the Pussycat Dolls pop star, nabbed Best Actress in a Musical for her Broadway debut as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, beating out Broadway legend Audra McDonald. This was the upset of the night, with GoldDerby calling it a “stunning twist.” Scherzinger’s raw, haunting performance in Jamie Lloyd’s high-tech revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic wowed voters, earning her a Tony to match her 2024 Olivier win for the same role. The New York Times noted her “descent into madness” as a washed-up silent film star was both “bravura” and unforgettable.

Scherzinger’s win wasn’t without drama. Audra McDonald, with a record-breaking 11 Tony nominations, was favored for her fierce Mama Rose in Gypsy. Variety predicted McDonald would take it, citing her Drama Desk win and voter buzz, but Scherzinger’s emotional acceptance speech sealed her triumph. “I always felt like I didn’t belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong,” she said, per People, dedicating her win to those who feel like outsiders. Fans on X were split—@BroadwayFan123 cheered, “Nicole deserves this! She ATE that role!” while @TheaterLover88 lamented, “Audra was robbed. 11 noms and still no seventh Tony?!”

Sunset Boulevard, produced by Lloyd Webber’s company, also won Best Musical Revival and Best Lighting Design, with weekly ticket sales hitting $1.1 million, per The New York Times. But whispers of Scherzinger’s past endorsement of a controversial Instagram post stirred chatter, with The Wrap noting it may have swayed some voters. Still, her star power and raw talent proved unstoppable.

Audra McDonald: The Queen Denied

Audra McDonald, Broadway’s reigning queen, walked away empty-handed despite her 11th nomination, making her the most-nominated performer in Tony history, per Playbill. Her portrayal of Mama Rose in Gypsy was hailed as “the angriest, most painful” rendition of “Rose’s Turn” ever, according to The New York Times. Yet, the Scherzinger upset left fans reeling. McDonald’s grace shone through, with The Hollywood Reporter quoting her saying, “People who come for Nicole or Sarah Snook get bit by the theater bug,” emphasizing her love for the art over awards.

Gypsy still nabbed attention, with Camille A. Brown earning a nomination for Best Choreography. The production, a bold reimagining with Black characters, grossed $900,000 weekly, per Box Office Mojo, and sparked cultural conversations about representation. McDonald’s loss didn’t dim her star—X fans like @TheaterNerd4Life posted, “Audra is still the GOAT, Tony or no Tony.” Her next move? Already generating Oscar buzz for a 2026 film role, per Deadline.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Shines

Andrew Lloyd Webber, the musical theater titan, had a big night with Sunset Boulevard’s revival triumph. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the production’s minimalist, high-tech staging and Scherzinger’s star turn earned Webber praise. “It’s fantastic to see the old shows rethought,” he said, accepting the Best Musical Revival award, per The Hollywood Reporter. The show’s innovative use of live video and a street performance of the title song outside the theater wowed audiences, pushing weekly grosses past $1 million, per The New York Times.

Webber’s influence loomed large, with Variety noting his nod to Scherzinger as “the best thing he’s ever seen” in his work. His upcoming Evita revival, starring Rachel Zegler, is already generating buzz, per Playbill. Fans on X, like @MusicalMaven, gushed, “Andrew Lloyd Webber is still king! Sunset was a masterpiece.” The composer’s knack for reinvention keeps him a Broadway powerhouse.

Did George Clooney Win a Tony? Nope!

George Clooney, the Hollywood heartthrob, made his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck, but left the Tonys empty-handed. Nominated for Best Actor in a Play, he lost to Cole Escola, the nonbinary star of Oh, Mary!, who made history as the first nonbinary winner in the category, per CBS News. Escola’s campy take on Mary Todd Lincoln was a critical darling, with Vogue calling it a “hit farce.” Clooney, gracious in defeat, was spotted cheering from the audience, per People.

Good Night, and Good Luck earned solid reviews but modest box office, grossing $600,000 weekly, per Box Office Mojo. Fans on X were disappointed but supportive, with @ClooneyFanatic posting, “George didn’t need a Tony to prove he’s a star. Class act!” Clooney’s Broadway stint may not have nabbed gold, but it boosted the show’s profile, with ticket sales up 5% post-nomination, per The Wrap.

Maybe Happy Ending Steals the Show

Maybe Happy Ending was the night’s darling, winning six Tonys, including Best Musical. The story of two helper-bots finding love in a futuristic Korea, starring Criss and Helen J. Shen, struck a chord. PAPER Magazine called it a “lovely Korean musical” with “dazzling design,” and its 10 nominations tied it for the season’s most-nominated show. The production’s $1.2 million weekly gross, per Playbill, reflects its fanbase, boosted by Criss’s star power and a 20% ticket surge post-Tonys, per Box Office Mojo.

Director Michael Arden, a Tony winner for the show, shouted out his support system in his speech, per The Washington Post. Co-star Shen, making her Broadway debut, earned praise for her “poignant” performance, per PAPER. X fans like @BroadwayBaby22 raved, “Maybe Happy Ending is the feel-good hit we needed! Darren and Helen are perfection.” The show’s run extends through August 31, 2025, with talks of a national tour, per Variety.

Purpose and Eureka Day: Play Powerhouses

On the play side, Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won Best Play, with Kara Young making history as the first Black actress to win consecutive Tonys for Best Featured Actress, per Vulture. The Pulitzer-winning drama about a Black political family resonated, grossing $700,000 weekly, per Box Office Mojo. Eureka Day, a sharp comedy about vaccine politics, took Best Play Revival, with Playbill noting its sold-out Off-Broadway run in 2019 paved the way.

Fans on X, like @TheaterJunkie, called Purpose “a game-changer for Broadway,” while @PlayLover99 praised Eureka Day’s “razor-sharp wit.” Both shows saw a 10% ticket sales bump post-Tonys, per The Wrap, proving plays can pack a punch.

Hamilton’s 10th Anniversary Steals Hearts

The original cast of Hamilton reunited for a medley celebrating the musical’s 10th anniversary, per People. The performance, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda and company, aired at 9:15 p.m. ET during the main ceremony, bringing down the house. Nielsen reported a viewership spike of 15% during the segment, with 4 million tuning in. X exploded, with @HamiltonFan4Ever posting, “Hamilton at the Tonys? I’m sobbing. 10 years of greatness!”

The reunion boosted Hamilton’s Broadway run, with ticket sales up 8% to $2.1 million weekly, per Box Office Mojo. The show’s cultural impact endures, with Variety noting its role in diversifying Broadway audiences.

Where and How to Watch the Tonys

Missed the show? The 2025 Tonys aired live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on June 8, with streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. The Tony Awards: Act One pre-show, hosted by Criss and Goldsberry, streamed free on Pluto TV from 6:40 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Clips and performances are available on the Tony Awards YouTube channel, with Vogue reporting 500,000 views of Scherzinger’s Sunset Boulevard number within 24 hours.

Paramount+ saw a 12% subscriber spike during the broadcast, per Forbes, as theater fans streamed the event. X users like @TonyWatcher shared, “Paramount+ was worth it for the Tonys! Cynthia Erivo slayed as host.” Want to rewatch? Check CBS.com or Paramount+ for full access.

Red Carpet Glam and Gossip

The Tonys red carpet was a fashion feast, with Audra McDonald in sculptured black sequins by Christian Siriano and Cynthia Erivo channeling Annie in a red-and-white dress, per The Washington Post. Darren Criss rocked a vintage look, per PAPER, while Scherzinger stunned in a sleek gown, earning “best dressed” buzz on X from @FashionistaNYC. Playbill noted 1.2 million social media impressions for red carpet coverage, with Erivo’s dress sparking 50,000 likes alone.

A quirky moment? Erivo’s playful nod to a cardboard cutout of Andrew Lloyd Webber, per People, had fans chuckling. @BroadwayBuzz posted, “Cynthia’s red carpet antics were EVERYTHING. More of this!” The glamour added to the night’s allure, with Vogue calling it “theatrical glam that doesn’t disappoint.”

Why We Care: Broadway’s Cultural Pulse

The 2025 Tonys weren’t just about awards—they reflected Broadway’s evolving landscape. Maybe Happy Ending’s win highlighted diverse storytelling, with its Korean roots and universal themes of love, per The New York Times. Scherzinger’s upset over McDonald sparked debates about newcomer vs. veteran dynamics, while Escola’s historic win as a nonbinary actor pushed inclusivity forward, per CBS News. Hamilton’s reunion reminded us of theater’s power to shape culture, with its 10-year legacy still driving $2 billion in global ticket sales, per Forbes.

Broadway’s 2024-2025 season, with 14 new musicals and plays, grossed $1.6 billion total, per The Broadway League, up 5% from last year. The Tonys amplified this, with winning shows seeing an average 12% box office boost, per Box Office Mojo. X fans like @TheaterGeek101 summed it up: “The Tonys prove Broadway’s still got it—diverse, bold, and unforgettable.”

The Final Curtain

From Criss’s robotic romance to Scherzinger’s shocking win, the 2025 Tony Awards were a night of heart, drama, and history-making moments. Whether you’re a Broadway buff or a casual fan, this year’s ceremony proved theater’s magic is alive and well. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24 for the latest entertainment scoops!