Musical Awards 2025: Performances & Winners
- LEUSDEN, Netherlands (April 17, 2025) – The annual Musical Awards Gala unfolded Wednesday, April 16, at the AFAS Theater in Leusden, with "Elisabeth" emerging as the night's biggest...
- In addition to the jury's selections, the audience also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite musical and family musical. This year,"40-45,the musical" received the award for...
- The gala featured a diverse array of performances, offering attendees a glimpse into both established hits and upcoming productions.
Elisabeth Dominates 2025 Musical Awards in the Netherlands
LEUSDEN, Netherlands (April 17, 2025) – The annual Musical Awards Gala unfolded Wednesday, April 16, at the AFAS Theater in Leusden, with “Elisabeth” emerging as the night’s biggest victor, securing six awards. The event also showcased performances from acclaimed productions such as “Moulin Rouge! Musical” and “Frozen,” alongside previews of upcoming musicals like “Foxtrot” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”
2025 Musical Awards: The Winners
Jury Awards
- Best Big Musical: “Elisabeth”
- Best Actress in a Leading Role (Large Musical): Vajèn van den Bosch, as Elsa in “Frozen”
- Best Actress in a Leading Role (Small Musical): Channah Hewitt, as Josephine Baker in “Josephine B. – A life in Revue”
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Large Musical): Martijn Noort, as Christian in “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Small Musical): Timo Tembuyser, as Jamie in “The Last five Years”
- Best Supporting Actress: Ann Van den Broeck, as Sophie in “Elisabeth”
- Best Supporting Actor: darren van der Lek, as Lord Farquaad in “Shrek”
- Best Up-and-Coming Talent: Danique Dusée, as the young Elisabeth in “Elisabeth”
- Best Ensemble: “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- Best Small Musical: “Josephine B. – A life in revue”
- Best Original Dutch Musical: “Our Jordaan”
Public Choice awards
In addition to the jury’s selections, the audience also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite musical and family musical. This year,”40-45,the musical” received the award for Best Musical,while “Beauty and the beast” was named best Family Musical.
Musical Awards 2025: Performance Highlights
The gala featured a diverse array of performances, offering attendees a glimpse into both established hits and upcoming productions.
“Foxtrot”
Annie MG Schmidt and Harry Bannink’s “Foxtrot,” set in the 1930s, is making a return to the stage. The cast includes William Spaaij, Gerrie van der Klei, and Renée de Gruijl. Performances begin in January 2026.
“West Side Story”
A revival of “West Side Story,” a musical centered on an impossible love during a gang war in New York City,is set to premiere Nov. 23.
“Dear Evan Hansen”
Following its success on Broadway and the West end, “Dear Evan Hansen” is coming to the Netherlands.A preview of the translated song “Waving Through a Window” was performed. The show opens in June.
“hairspray”
The feel-good musical “hairspray” returns this fall, starring Richard Groenendijk, Tamar Floor, and Nurlaila Karim. The premiere is scheduled for October.
“Brel – Musical”
The musical “Brel,” a biographical story about Jacques Brel,stars Sjors van de Panne. Performances begin in October.
“Do it!”
The musical “Do it!” features hits from the Dutch band doe Maar. The show, a mix of cabaret, musical, and concert, stars Daniël Boissevain, Ellen Pieters, and Han Oldigs. It will be at the AFAS Theater Leusden starting in October.
“Disney Frozen”
Performances of “Disney Frozen” continue at the AFAS Circustheater in Scheveningen through September.
“Elisabeth”
“Elisabeth,” which premiered a month ago, was the most awarded musical of the night. Performances continue through Oct. 26.
“Moulin Rouge! musical”
The cast of “Moulin Rouge! Musical” opened the Musical Awards Gala. The show won awards for best actor (martijn Noort) and best ensemble, as well as for choreography, set design, costumes, and makeup. Performances continue through September.
“40 – 45, the musical”
“40 – 45, the musical” tells the story of brothers Louis (Soy kroon) and Dirk (Dorian bindels) during World War II. The public chose this performance as the best musical of 2025.
Creative Awards
Awards were also presented to those working behind the scenes:
- Best Direction: Diederik Ebbinge – “Our Jordaan”
- Best Choreography: Sonya Tayeh – “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- Best Set Design: Derek McLane – “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- best Lighting Design: Marc Heinz – ”Elisabeth”
Musical Awards 2025: A Night of Celebrations and Stunning Performances
The Musical Awards 2025 celebrated the vibrant world of Dutch musical theater, recognizing outstanding achievements and offering glimpses of upcoming productions. The gala, held recently, featured a mix of established hits and previews of exciting new shows.HereS a recap of the winners and performance highlights.
Winners of the Musical Awards 2025
The awards honored both established talent and rising stars. While the jury chose the winners in many categories, the audience also had a say in their favorite musicals.
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Martijn Noort, as Christian in “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- best Actor in a Leading Role (Small musical): Timo Tembuyser, as Jamie in ”The Last five Years”
- Best Supporting Actress: Ann Van den Broeck, as Sophie in “Elisabeth”
- Best Supporting Actor: darren van der Lek, as Lord Farquaad in “Shrek”
- Best Up-and-Coming Talent: Danique Dusée, as the young Elisabeth in “Elisabeth”
- Best ensemble: ”Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- Best small musical: “Josephine B. – A life in revue”
- Best Original Dutch Musical: “Our Jordaan”
Public Choice Awards
In addition to the jury’s selections, the audience also had the possibility to vote for their favorite musical and family musical. This year, “40-45, the musical” received the award for Best Musical, while “Beauty and the beast” was named Best Family Musical.
Musical Awards 2025: Performance Highlights
The gala featured a diverse array of performances, offering attendees a glimpse into both established hits and upcoming productions.
“Foxtrot”
Annie M.G. Schmidt and Harry Bannink’s “Foxtrot,” set in the 1930s, is making a return to the stage. The cast includes William Spaaij, Gerrie van der Klei, and Renée de gruijl. Performances begin in January 2026.
“West Side Story”
A revival of “West Side Story,” a musical centered on an impossible love during a gang war in New York City,is set to premiere Nov.23.
“Dear Evan Hansen”
Following its success on Broadway and the West End, “Dear Evan Hansen” is coming to the Netherlands. A preview of the translated song “Waving Through a Window” was performed. The show opens in June.
“Hairspray”
The feel-good musical “Hairspray” returns this fall, starring Richard Groenendijk, Tamar Floor, and Nurlaila Karim.The premiere is scheduled for October.
“Brel – Musical”
the musical “Brel,” a biographical story about Jacques Brel, stars Sjors van de Panne. Performances begin in October.
“Do it!”
The musical “Do it!” features hits from the Dutch band Doe Maar. The show, a mix of cabaret, musical, and concert, stars Daniël Boissevain, Ellen Pieters, and Han Oldigs.It will be at the AFAS Theater Leusden starting in October.
“Disney Frozen”
Performances of “Disney Frozen” continue at the AFAS Circustheater in Scheveningen through September.
“Elisabeth”
“Elisabeth,” which premiered a month ago,was the most awarded musical of the night. Performances continue through oct. 26.
“Moulin Rouge! musical”
The cast of “Moulin Rouge! Musical” opened the Musical Awards Gala. The show won awards for best actor (Martijn Noort) and best ensemble, and also for choreography, set design, costumes, and makeup. Performances continue through September.
“40 – 45, the musical”
“40 – 45, the musical” tells the story of brothers Louis (soy Kroon) and Dirk (Dorian Bindels) during World War II. The public chose this performance as the best musical of 2025.
Creative Awards
Awards were also presented to those working behind the scenes:
- Best Direction: Diederik Ebbinge – “Our Jordaan”
- best Choreography: Sonya Tayeh – “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- Best Set Design: Derek McLane – “Moulin Rouge! Musical”
- best Lighting Design: Marc Heinz – “Elisabeth”