Tony Noms Make History in 2025

As Broadway artists and enthusiasts await the 2025 Tonys, there’s already so much to celebrate. This year’s class of nominees includes some historic firsts and notable exceptions to the rule, worth a shoutout. Read on!

Kara Young: Four Years, Four Noms

Breakout Broadway star Kara Young continues her impressive roll of nods with a fourth consecutive Tony nomination for Featured Actress in a Play—this time for playing Aziza Jasper in Purpose. She is now the first and sole Black artist nominated in this category for four consecutive years. Her previous nods were for her Broadway debut in Clyde’s (2022), followed by Cost of Living (2023), and Purlie Victorious (2024), for which she took home the award.

Pulitzer Power in the Best Play Category

In a major crossover between two of America’s greatest theatrical honors, three of the five Best Play-nominated pieces this season are already Pulitzer Prize finalists or winners. Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is already the recipient of the 2025 Pulitzer for drama, with Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! cited as a finalist, and English won last year’s Pulitzer before making its Broadway debut this season. This year’s class of Best Play Tony nominees represents a staggering overlap—and evidence of the power of this season’s storytelling onstage. 

Audra McDonald Makes Tony History

Broadway icon Audra McDonald has officially broken the record, becoming the most Tony-nominated actor in history. She already holds the record for Tony-winningest performer in Broadway history, with six to her name. Another milestone in an already impressive career. Her latest nomination—her 11th—is for her performance as Rose in the revival of Gypsy, breaking Chita Rivera and Julie Harris’s previous record of 10.

All Play Revivals Closed

In a highly unlikely turn of events, each of the four Best Revival of a Play nominees—Eureka Day, Our Town, Romeo + Juliet, and Yellow Face—had already closed by the time nominations were announced. That’s a strange plot and departure from norms, given that voters prefer productions still running during awards season. It’s normal for plays to open as limited engagements, but this often puts a wrench in Tony recognition later in the season; recency bias is (usually) real.