Get ready for the most unpredictable Tony Awards of the last decade.
In most Broadway seasons, one or two new musicals rise to the top as the clear standouts of the year. But coming off the most crowded spring in recent memory, no consensus has formed around any of the five vastly different shows nominated for best musical, which include an Alicia Keys passion project and a suffragist history lesson produced by Hillary Clinton.
It’s also the most star-studded Tonys in a while, with Rachel McAdams (“Mary Jane”), Eddie Redmayne ("Cabaret”) and Jim Parsons ("Mother Play") all vying for top trophies. Here’s everything you need to know going into this weekend’s ceremony:
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When are the Tonys this year?
The Tonys will take place Sunday, June 16, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. It’s the first time Lincoln Center will host the awards, which have long been held at Radio City Music Hall. (Last year, the telecast moved to Washington Heights’ United Palace.)
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How can I watch the Tony Awards?
The ceremony will air live on Sunday, June 16, on CBS (8 EST/PST) and stream on Paramount + for subscribers. Julianne Hough (“Dancing with the Stars”) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts”) will also host a pre-show streaming free on Pluto TV (6:30 EST / 3:30 PST), during which the first round of awards will be handed out.
Who is hosting the 2024 Tonys?
Oscar winner Ariana DeBose is returning to host the show for a third consecutive year. The “West Side Story” star (and “Hamilton” Broadway vet) teased her opening number on Instagram with a series of rehearsal snaps. DeBose memorably opened the 2022 telecast with an earnest mashup of dozens of showtunes. And last year, due to the Hollywood writers’ strike, she opted for a lively, wordless dance performance to kick off the proceedings.
Who is presenting at the Tony Awards?
Previous Tony winners Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ben Platt, Idina Menzel, Adrienne Warren, Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright, and Sean Hayes are all lined up to present during Sunday’s show, as are “Gutenberg” musical stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells. Angelina Jolie, a producer on “The Outsiders,” is also set to present, along with Nick Jonas, Ashley Park and “After Midnight” host Taylor Tomlinson.
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Who is performing at the Tonys? Watch out for ‘Stereophonic.'
With the exception of “Gutenberg,” which closed early this year, all the nominees for best musical and best musical revival will be performing on the telecast, including “The Who’s Tommy” and “Cabaret.”
“Stereophonic,” this year’s buzzy new play partly inspired by Fleetwood Mac, was also added to the lineup Wednesday. The announcement was made following days of outcry from theater fans, after playwright David Adjmi revealed on social media that the Tonys initially rejected the rock drama’s request to perform.
Which shows are nominated for best musical at the 2024 Tonys?
Unlike past years, where critical darlings “Kimberly Akimbo” and “A Strange Loop” were presumed frontrunners all season long, this year’s winner is anybody’s guess. Alicia Keys’ feel-good “Hell’s Kitchen” leads the pack with 13 nominations, but the Tonys’ biggest prize has rarely gone to a jukebox show. “Illinoise,” a dance piece set to the songs of Sufjan Stevens, is breathtaking and beloved by critics. Although, some voters may hesitate to call it a musical, given that it’s dialogue-free and movement-driven.
“Suffs,” about women’s fight to vote, is certainly the timeliest offering, while “Water for Elephants” may hoodwink folks with its dazzling circus spectacle. But we’re placing money on “The Outsiders” to eke out a victory. Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel, the new musical is already a box-office hit among youngsters and their parents. More importantly, its artful staging and affecting performances make it just highbrow enough to appease snootier voters. Stay gold indeed.
What are our other 2024 Tony predictions?
In addition to best musical, there are plenty of other races that are seemingly too close to call. Jessica Lange (“Mother Play”) and Sarah Paulson (“Appropriate”) are neck and neck for best leading actress in a play, although we give the edge to Paulson, whose family melodrama is expected to pick up an armful of trophies throughout the night. Jeremy Strong (“An Enemy of the People”) and Leslie Odom Jr. (“Purlie Victorious") are similarly a toss up in leading actor, while Odom’s castmate Kara Young should earn a well-deserved Tony after three consecutive nominations. But look out for a featured actress spoiler in Sarah Pidgeon, whose “Stereophonic” has huge momentum as the most Tony-nominated play in history.
The musical acting races are also up for grabs, with veteran Kelli O’Hara (“Days of Wine and Roses”) squaring off against newcomer Maleah Joi Moon (“Hell’s Kitchen”) in best leading actress. If there are any sure things going into Sunday’s ceremony, “Merrily We Roll Along” co-stars Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe are all but assured to scoop up their first Tony wins for leading and featured actor, respectively. Gird your tear ducts, because it's bound to get emotional.
