2025 Tony Awards Reactions Thread- Page 20

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:01am

Best and Worst Moments From the 2025 Tony Awards

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/theater/tonys-best-worst-moments.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Nk8.a8iH.nqkJTdYQtuxi&smid=nytcore-android-share

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:06am

akhoya87 said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "
For the show performances, I felt like this was one of the weaker years broadly speaking:
- Death Becomes Her: underwhelming and messy
- Just in Time & Real Women Have Curves: not a great song choice
- Sunset & Gypsy: maybe these work better in context? I am seeing both this summer but haven't seen either yet. They were interesting but also not quite the moments I feel like people thought they'd be
- Dead Outlaw: wild but fun
- Maybe Happy Ending: maybe not the best song choice but I still found it charming
- Pirates & Floyd Collins: meh
- Mincemeat & Buena Vista: both were OK but I haven't seen these shows and this didn't make me change my mind on wanting to see them"

I was fortunate enough to be in the room tonight. The song choices seemed ... odd, for the most part.

Buena Vista and Just In Time had an electricity to their performances that I don't think would've translated well on television. (Also, folks were texting me about sound issues?)

Sunset and Gypsy were both incredible, although I don't ever recall Audra belting Rose's Turn like she did during tonight's performance. Something seemed ... different. (And I've seen her twice.)

Hamilton was incredible. Dead Outlaw didn't grab me at the beginning but had me at the end.

What a tough season."

We were there as well last night. I actually didn't think Audra's performance was all that different than it was in the theater, other than that her voice sounded much more tired.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:11am

At an awards show such as this- what does someone's personal political views have to do with performance in a competitive race? Nicole won a performance competition- not a political correctness award.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:15am

If anyone wants to see BOOP or Real Women.., grab those tickets. Neither will be around in July.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:17am

I was told to expect Boop to announce closing very imminently, so if anyone wants to see it, do it within the next couple of weeks. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:19am

I thought it was cool that Arden utilized Radio City's stage for Maybe Happy Endings. Not sure I've ever seen another show do that. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:29am

Congrats to Nicole. As everyone knows, I was sure Audra had this. But I'm not upset with the outcome. This year we had a genuine race. It was exciting.

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:31am

It was a little upsetting to me that that Just in Time and RWHC got to have featured moments in the broadcast, especially considering neither were nominated for Best Musical. Yes, I understand the mechanics/politics involved with securing a performance slot, but it was completely unfair to BOOP and Smash - even more so knowing they were ready and willing to pay for the opportunity. They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. And Just in Time isn't hurting for audiences in the slightest.

I also thought the placement of the RWHC number in the broadcast was super bizarre, given they only received 2 nominations. It pays off to have LMM in your corner!

Updated On: 6/9/25 at 09:31 AM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:39am

singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

 

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:42am

My Bests and Worst Moments.

Best:
Audra  Finally belting! I am a voice teacher. I have been saying since the beginning that Audra is able to belt, she is choosing not to, or she doesn't know how to. I know that sounds crazy, but I have seen it so many times. Very Legit female singers are often told from an early age to never belt and they are scared and afraid to do it.  It's a real thing.

Hamilton
Cynthia was charming and much funnier than I expected her to be. 
Nicole
Closing number (not the opening)
Maybe Happy Endings looked wonderful (I have seen it)
Buena Vista

Worst Moments.

Oprah showing up. Why? Why do powerful people like Oprah, who really don't have that much to do with Broadway, get to show up and give out a major award?  Oprah should have never mentioned the feud. It wasn't needed AT ALL. Clearly she was there because shee wanted to be the one to hand Audra her Award. 

Not showing some of the preshow awards... like Best Score.

Not nominating Helen J Shein and seeing her sitting there.  

The Ice Tea Commercial

The sound! awful.

I am a GAY man and the Tony's were pretty gay last night. Grindr jokes aren't funny to me. Middle America tuned out pretty quickly. I would love to see the ratings. 

Biggest Shock of the Night:
Learning Darren Criss was straight!!!  I had no idea. lol  

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:46am

binau said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "chernjam said: "caitlinette said: "I’m neutral on Nicole‘s win, just honestly a bit surprised that she would still win after aligning herself with beliefs that are the antithesis of so many in the theater community."

Amazing how people continue to peddle this crap that had been put to bed months ago"

But it hasn’t been put to bed. We also we saw. We saw it multiple times. We know that she is “pro-life”. We know that she supports RFK. We know that she is friends with a serial r^pist. We know these things and people continue to celebrate her."

All I know is she gave one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen, has given us ‘new ways to dream’ and has pushed the boundaries in terms of vocal acting and performance that yes right now in this moment even Audra wasn’t able to compete with even in the greatest of all time role star vehicle. THAT is what is being celebrated. This is the Tony Awards that is celebrating excellence in theatre not anything else.

When will people get a life and stop with this madness."

I saw her performance. Couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag.

Regardless, it is not “madness” to call out people who support harmful policies that strip the less privileged of their rights. Hope that helps.

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:49am

MemorableUserName said: "singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

"

Fair enough. I guess my feelings are irritation that they purposefully excluded BOOP and SMASH, both of whom were ready and willing to pay, while making room for these other two performances.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 9:51am

CurtainsUpat8 said: "
I am a GAY man and the Tony's were pretty gay last night. Grindr jokes aren't funny to me. Middle America tuned out pretty quickly. I would love to see the ratings.

I don't know why Middle America would have turned in to the Tonys to begin with if they don't want anything that's too gay (and that Grindr joke came over halfway through the show).

[binau]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 10:10am

Musical theatre is a very gay dominated art form - and many of the elite directors, producers, composers, costume designers, actors etc. are in fact gay. Additionally, some of the most important and challenging gay-related work tends to appear on Broadway or associated channels before and faster than it appears in the popular culture.

I don’t think we should have to apologise for ourselves or appeal to ‘middle America’ just because. I also think especially in an arena as commercial as Broadway or the Tony Awards we are typically very reasonable and balanced with how our community express itself. If suddenly the Broadcast become like a pride after party in a dark room maybe we should be a little concerned, but we seem to be very reasonable. 
 

[MCW1227]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 10:20am

Glad to read I’m not the only one who thinks this. Glenn Close personified Norma Desmond. I never felt that way about Nicole. A dynamic vocal performance and maybe I had I not seen Glenn I would feel differently. I also think Audra deserved the Tony last night. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 10:32am

CurtainsUpat8 said: "Oprah showing up. Why? Why do powerful people like Oprah, who really don't have that much to do with Broadway, get to show up and give out a major award? Oprah should have never mentioned the feud. It wasn't needed AT ALL. Clearly she was there because she wanted to be the one to hand Audra her Award."

Oprah has produced two Broadway shows and has long championed theater.  People with far less connection often are included as presenters for a variety of reasons.

She also plays to the CBS audience which skews more affluent and older.

 

Updated On: 6/9/25 at 10:32 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 10:52am

MCW1227 said: "Glad to read I’m not the only one who thinks this. Glenn Close personified Norma Desmond. I never felt that way about Nicole. A dynamic vocal performance and maybe I had I not seen Glenn I would feel differently. I also think Audradeserved the Tony last night."

Nicole isn’t trying to personify Norma Desmond in a traditional sense. The entire production is stylized - especially her performance. Whether or not that stylization works for you is your perspective, but her portrayal is perfectly calibrated to Jamie Lloyd’s vision. She’s not entirely human; she’s almost literally a monster. It’s a strange performance, for sure - but for those it resonates with, it really works. Clearly.

Updated On: 6/9/25 at 10:52 AM

[greensgreens]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:01am

Maybe I’m crazy but I love those projections/screens. They provided excitement, movement and were incredibly well designed. Honestly, some got it better than the actual show (the simple “ROSE”). More interesting to watch those than some of the dreadful performances. And I’ll be honest, Cynthia was so bad people didn’t know when she was joking. It was like there was a massive delay on an “applause” or “laugh” sign to direct the audience. The thing I’m most disappointed by was nobody will rewatch clips of these performances because technically, these weren’t up to quality. As others have said, audio & tempos and all kinds of tech issues made these second to other show appearances on late nite, etc. I miss the old days where the definitive performances were always captured on the awards show making them truly unique and iconic. 

[mshalo18]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:19am

singerunlimited said: "MemorableUserName said: "singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

"

Fair enough. I guess my feelings are irritation that they purposefully excludedBOOPandSMASH, both of whom were ready and willing to pay, while making room for these other two performances."

Or just maybe, we could have skipped Hamilton and give new shows a chance to be spotlighted. 

[binau]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:19am

ColorTheHours048 said: "MCW1227 said: "Glad to read I’m not the only one who thinks this. Glenn Close personified Norma Desmond. I never felt that way about Nicole. A dynamic vocal performance and maybe I had I not seen Glenn I would feel differently. I also think Audradeserved the Tony last night."

Nicole isn’t trying topersonifyNorma Desmond in a traditionalsense. The entire production is stylized - especially her performance. Whether or not that stylization works for you is your perspective, but her portrayal is perfectly calibrated to Jamie Lloyd’s vision. She’s not entirely human; she’s almost literally a monster. It’s a strange performance, for sure - but for those it resonates with, it really works. Clearly."

Exactly. The best way I think about it is to say that Nicole is not literally playing Norma Desmond - she is playing an abstract representation of Norma Desmond that has been modified by Jamie Lloyd to better reflect the sensibilities of what a faded beauty/fading star would look and feel like in the 21st century - using the music (BEAUTIFULLY orchestrated and performed), and script of Sunset Boulevard to guide the proceedings - but everything is taken in completely new and unexpected ways. 

I wouldn't even know how to start comparing Nicole's performance with Glenn's. Ok they do share a similar script and score and might have the same character name but besides that they have basically nothing in common with each other anymore. 

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:22am

mshalo18 said: "singerunlimited said: "MemorableUserName said: "singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

"

Fair enough. I guess my feelings are irritation that they purposefully excludedBOOPandSMASH, both of whom were ready and willing to pay, while making room for these other two performances."

Or just maybe, we could have skipped Hamilton and give new shows a chance to be spotlighted."

Agree!

I enjoy Hamilton… but so what who cares 10 years … all it did for me was say out loud… everyone’s gotten old

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:24am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "mshalo18 said: "singerunlimited said: "MemorableUserName said: "singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

"

Fair enough. I guess my feelings are irritation that they purposefully excludedBOOPandSMASH, both of whom were ready and willing to pay, while making room for these other two performances."

Or just maybe, we could have skipped Hamilton and give new shows a chance to be spotlighted."

Agree!

I enjoy Hamilton… but so what who cares 10 years … all it did for me was say out loud… everyone’s gotten old"

The Hamilton number was the most lively and exciting performance of the evening though, so I can understand why it was there. 

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:26am

pagereynolds said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "mshalo18 said: "singerunlimited said: "MemorableUserName said: "singerunlimited said: "They could've easily shortened their performances to make room for shorter numbers from the other 2 shows. "

No, they really couldn't have. RWHC's number was 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Just in Time ended at 2:38. A major problem with most of the numbers were that they were so rushed. RWHC in particular could have used more time to breathe and come off less frantic. (For those who think they should have done the title song, it clocks in at 3:46. How were they supposed to do that and provide the necessary context for why these women are taking their clothes off so it didn't seem exploitative?)

Those non-nominated shows also received less time than the nominated shows, most of which got three and a half minutes. Audra got 4:10.

"

Fair enough. I guess my feelings are irritation that they purposefully excludedBOOPandSMASH, both of whom were ready and willing to pay, while making room for these other two performances."

Or just maybe, we could have skipped Hamilton and give new shows a chance to be spotlighted."

Agree!

I enjoy Hamilton… but so what who cares 10 years … all it did for me was say out loud… everyone’s gotten old"

The Hamilton number was the most lively and exciting performance of the evening though, so I can understand why it was there."

I guess so

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:32am

Only thing I didn’t like about the Hamilton performance was the design, like the lcd background and the costuming. Felt like it was a Jamie Lloyd show.

The most frustrating thing about the Maybe Happy Ending sweep was the lack of recognition for Helen J. Shen. The nominating committee could remember James Monroe Iglehart, but couldn’t give Shen a nomination? She will certainly be nominated in the future, but she deserved the recognition this season.

[ViniFromBrazil]

Posted: 6/9/25 at 11:36am

Damn I'm still bummed that English went home empty-handed. Purpose gained a lot of momentum with the Pulitzer prize but I still held some hope that either the play, or Knud Adams, or one of the actress were going to win.