NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty-nine shows on Broadway got Tony nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy — and the box office attention they usually bring.

Here are some key things to know ahead of Broadway’s biggest night, including how to watch, who’s performing and who’s poised to make history.

When are the Tony Awards?

The Tony Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday from 8-11 p.m. ET.

How can I watch them?

Live on CBS and streaming for U.S. subscribers of Paramount+ with Showtime.

A pre-show will be broadcast on Pluto TV from 6:40-8 p.m. ET, where some awards will be handed out. Viewers can access that on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the “Live Music” channel, found within the Entertainment category on the service.

Those looking to scope out the fashions can tune in for live red carpet coverage on Playbill’s YouTube channel beginning at 4 p.m.

Who’s hosting the Tonys?

Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner (and three-time Oscar nominee) Cynthia Erivo will be making her debut hosting the ceremony. Prior to starring in the Blockbuster film adaptation of “Wicked” and releasing her latest album, she won the Tony Award in 2016 for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Celie in “The Color Purple.”

The pre-show on Pluto TV will be hosted by Renée Elise Goldsberry and Darren Criss.

Who can you expect to see?

Presenters will include Aaron Tveit, Adam Lambert, Alex Winter, Allison Janney, Ariana DeBose, Auli’i Cravalho, Ben Stiller, Bryan Cranston, Carrie Preston, Charli D’Amelio, Danielle Brooks, Jean Smart, Jesse Eisenberg, Julianne Hough, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Kelli O’Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Lea Michele, Lea Salonga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michelle Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Rachel Bay Jones, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Samuel L. Jackson, Sara Bareilles, Sarah Paulson and Tom Felton.

Some special guests

Normally, shows that have been open for several years don’t get any Tony telecast attention, but “Hamilton” is no normal show. The original cast will celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary on Broadway with a performance featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, DeBose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan and Phillipa Soo.

The hit musical “Hamilton” garnered a massive total of 16 Tony nominations for the musical production at the 2016 Tony Awards.

Will there be other performances?

Each of the shows vying for Best New Musical will get a performance slot — as will some that didn’t make the cut, like the Bobby Darin musical “Just in Time” and “Real Women Have Curves.”

How many awards are there?

A total of 26 competitive categories — from lead and featured actors to scenic, costume and lighting design. Some technical award handouts may be pre-taped and winners won’t appear on the live show, only cut down into edited bits sandwiched into the telecast.

Harvey Fierstein will receive a special lifetime achievement Tony.

What are the top contenders?

There are three of them: “Buena Vista Social Club,” which takes its inspiration from Wim Wenders’ 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary; “Death Becomes Her,” based on the 1992 cult classic film; and “Maybe Happy Ending,” a rom-com musical about a pair of androids. Each has a leading 10 nominations.

(From left) “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “John Proctor is a Villain.”

What’s vying for Best New Play and Musical?

For new musicals, it’s “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.”

For new plays, it’s “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor Is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Purpose.”

Many of the races are unusually tight this year, the product of a Broadway heaving with shows after having largely rebounded from the pandemic.

“I haven’t seen one nominated show that I haven’t been wowed by. Everything brings something,” says Lowe Cunningham, lead producer of “Death Becomes Her” and also a Tony voter.

Can history be made?

Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards’ history, could possibly extend her Tony lead. Already the record holder for most acting wins with six Tonys, McDonald could add to that thanks to her leading turn in an acclaimed revival of “Gypsy.” She’ll push the record for a performer with the most wins to seven if she prevails on Tony night.

Joy Woods, left, and Audra McDonald appear during a performance of the Broadway musical “Gypsy” in New York. (Julieta Cervantes via AP)

And Kara Young — the first Black female actor to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years — could become the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively should she win for her role in the play “Purpose.”

Other possible firsts: — Daniel Dae Kim could becomes the first Asian winner in the category of Best Leading Actor in a Play for his work in a revival of “Yellow Face.” Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are vying to become the first female actors of Iranian descent to win a Tony.

What will producers hope to avoid?

Any repeat of last year, when Jay-Z’s electrifying reunion with Alicia Keys on what appeared to be a live duet of “Empire State of Mind” was actually pre-taped hours before the live show. The appearance by the rapper in support of Keys’ musical “Hell’s Kitchen” turned out to be a piece of Hollywood trickery, undercutting the Broadway community’s full-throated embrace of live singing and dancing.

Broadway’s big season

The health of Broadway — once very much in doubt during the COVID-19 lockdown — is now very good, at least in terms of box office figures. The 2024-25 season took in $1.9 billion, the highest-grossing season in recorded history, overtaking the previous high of $1.8 billion during the 2018-19 season.

Denzel Washington, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal in the curtain call for the Broadway opening night of “Othello” at the Barrymore Theatre.

In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, the second best attended season on record, behind only 2018-19. But sky-high ticket prices have led to fears that Broadway is getting financially out of touch.

A revival of “Othello” starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for top-grossing play in Broadway history. It generated more than $2. 8 million for eight performances, fueled by some seats going for as high as $921.

https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/07/tony-awards-2025-preview-how-to-watch-performances/