Who Will Win on the 2025 Tony Awards?

Perhaps the largest identify bout of the night time will likely be discovered—because it incessantly is—within the lead actress in a musical class, the place six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will stare down former Pussycat Doll became lauded degree performer Nicole Scherzinger. McDonald’s lengthy awaited flip in Gypsy has been ballyhooed by way of some, pooh-poohed by way of others. Scherzinger has gained close to unanimous reward for her cracked, decidedly trendy model of Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd., however her marketing campaign might be marred by way of some offstage controversy involving a crimson hat. We’re giving the narrowest of edges to Scherzinger, however one must by no means depend out Audra McDonald. If she wins, she is going to ruin her personal file as essentially the most Tony-awarded actor of all time.

Our panelists had been all in settlement that the bright Cole Escola must win very best lead actor in a play for his or her delightfully gonzo flip as a delightfully gonzo Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! But it’s conceivable that Escola—a Brooklyn alt-comedy legend in the end taking part in mainstream good fortune—may lose out to a large identify like George Clooney, whose Good Night, and Good Luck was once respectfully gained when it opened this spring. (The identical can’t be stated for Clooney’s dye task.) The Tonys have lengthy discovered it tricky to withstand giving large celebrities awards—despite the fact that that tide has became a few of past due, a reality in all probability very best evidenced this 12 months by way of the absence of Othello superstar Denzel Washington at the nominees record.

Another younger upstart is difficult some high-profile names within the lead actor in a musical class. Tom Francis, the 20-something British hunk who commandingly leads Sunset Blvd., is squaring off in opposition to Emmy winner Darren Criss (who performs a lovelorn robotic in Maybe Happy Ending) and Broadway royalty Jonathan Groff (who performs Bobby Darin in Just In Time). We suspect one of the crucial flashier names will succeed over Francis—Groff may relatively most likely repeat his win from ultimate 12 months—despite the fact that we predict Escola will beat Mr. Clooney. Oh, Mary! is among the sensations of the season, embodying the type of downtown-to-Midtown Cinderella narrative the Tony citizens love.

You can pay attention the case for the ones predictions and extra in this week’s episode, at the side of some observation at the benefit (or lack thereof) of the Stranger Things play, a debate about new musical Dead Outlaw, and a few interest selections for who must win within the featured actor classes. Happy Tonys season to people who rejoice! Which is to mention, glad Pride.

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