Kara Young’s ‘Purpose’ Wins Best Play at Tony Awards
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins‘ “Purpose” clinched the coveted Best Play award at the 2025 Tony Awards, solidifying its place at the top of a blockbuster Broadway season. Kara Young made history with her consistent Tony wins, a testament to her outstanding talent. The awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, celebrated a record-breaking $1.9 billion season, showing Broadway’s triumphant return adn ongoing success. Other winners included “Maybe Happy ending” and “Buena Vista Social Club.” News Directory 3 is your source for the best live coverage. With a season defined by rising stars and innovative productions, what electrifying performances and milestones await theatergoers next?
Broadway Celebrates Record Season; “Purpose” Takes Top Play at 2025 Tony Awards
Updated June 09, 2025
The 2025 Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, recognized the best of a blockbuster Broadway season Sunday night.Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose,” a drama exploring a Black family’s secrets, won Best Play, adding to Jacobs-Jenkins’ remarkable year. The show aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Jacobs-Jenkins also won the Pulitzer Prize for ”Purpose,” marking the first time a Black playwright has won Best New Play since 1987. He encouraged viewers to support regional theaters.
Kara Young, nominated for a Tony Award for the fourth consecutive year, won Featured Actress in a Play for “purpose.” She thanked her parents, Jacobs-Jenkins, the cast, and director Phylicia Rashad, emphasizing theater’s unifying power.
Sarah Snook of ”Succession” won Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in “The Picture of Dorian gray,” where she plays 26 roles. She credited the entire team for the show’s success.
Francis Jue won Best Actor in a Featured Role in a play for “Yellow Face.” He dedicated his win to Asian artists who paved the way.
Jak Malone won Best Actor in a Featured Role in a musical for “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical,” hoping his win would advocate for trans rights.
Erivo’s Hosting Debut
Cynthia Erivo’s opening featured an original song, “Sometimes All You Need Is a Song,” joined by the Broadway Inspirational Voices choir. She highlighted first-time nominees and acknowledged the season’s $1.9 billion gross,signaling Broadway’s strong recovery.
“Broadway is officially back,” Erivo declared, referencing the appearances of “Succession” stars on Broadway.
Other Award Highlights
“Maybe Happy Ending” earned early wins for best book and score, while Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado won for choreographing “Buena Vista Social Club.” Marg Hornwell won Best Costumes in a play for “the Picture of Dorian Gray,” while Paul Tazewell won the musical counterpart for “Death Becomes Her.”
This Broadway season was notable for its strong plays and A-list talent, including two Pulitzer prize winners. Musicals like “Maybe Happy Ending,” ”Dead Outlaw,” and “Death Becomes Her” were also contenders for top honors.
Audra McDonald, already the most-awarded performer in Tony history, was in contention to extend her lead for her role in “Gypsy.”
The season also saw a rise in alt-rock influences and stories aimed at younger audiences.
The telecast included musical numbers from nominated shows and celebrated “Hamilton’s” 10th anniversary.
What’s next
The Broadway League anticipates continued growth, aiming to build on this season’s momentum with new and innovative productions.