On a dazzling night at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, the 78th annual Tony Awards celebrated the pinnacle of theatrical achievement, with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reimagined Sunset Boulevard stealing the spotlight. The musical revival, which premiered on Broadway’s St. James Theater in September 2024 and is set to run through July 20, 2025, clinched the Best Musical Revival award, marking a triumphant return for the legendary composer after a 30-year hiatus from top Tony honors.
Leading the charge was Nicole Scherzinger, who at 46 earned her first Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her mesmerizing portrayal of Norma Desmond, the faded silent film star desperate for a comeback. Scherzinger’s win was a heartwarming moment, as she tearfully thanked her family and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, highlighting her journey from a Kentucky upbringing to pop stardom with the Pussycat Dolls, and finally to Broadway acclaim. “Thank you for making this little Hawaiian Ukrainian Filipino girl’s dream come true,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Her performance, described by Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone as “courageous, audacious, mesmerizing, elegantly beautiful, and ultimately heartbreaking,” captivated audiences and critics alike. Scherzinger’s connection to Norma Desmond runs deep; having chased stardom herself as a pop singer, she understands the character’s struggles with loneliness and the painful feeling of being unseen. “Time is fleeting for all of us, and Norma struggled with abandonment, deep loneliness, feeling unseen, and not accepted,” Scherzinger reflected in a recent interview with TIME. “A lot of us feel that way, especially in this industry.”
The revival itself is a radical reimagining of the 1995 original Broadway production, which won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, a British auteur known for his minimalist and psychologically rich approach, this production strips away the traditional opulence for a sleek, modern aesthetic. The cast dresses predominantly in black and white, with Scherzinger performing much of the show barefoot. The staging incorporates cutting-edge technology adapted from filmmaking, with live onstage filming projected onto a massive screen, blurring the lines between cinema and theater.
One particularly striking moment occurs in the second act when Tom Francis, playing Joe Gillis, performs the title number while walking through Shubert Alley and along 44th Street, his movements captured live and projected for the audience. This inventive use of cinematic devices underscores the show’s Hollywood setting in 1949 and 1950, enhancing the narrative’s emotional depth.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s victory with Sunset Boulevard marks a significant milestone. The original production’s success in 1995 was the last time one of his shows took home a top prize from the American Theatre Wing. Over the past three decades, several of his works—including Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, School of Rock, and others—were nominated but did not win Best Musical or Best Musical Revival. This recent win, alongside Scherzinger’s acting accolade and Jack Knowles’ award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical, signals a remarkable comeback for the composer and the production team.
Financially, the revival was a substantial investment, capitalized at up to $15 million. Despite its high costs, it has consistently sold over $1 million worth of tickets weekly, reflecting strong audience demand and enthusiasm for the show’s innovative approach.
While Sunset Boulevard captured the musical revival category, the night also celebrated other theatrical triumphs. Maybe Happy Ending, a touching musical about two helperbots navigating love and friendship, swept six awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Darren Criss, a star of the production, won Best Leading Actor in a Musical, delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech about the show’s themes of love and memory.
The all-Spanish-language musical Buena Vista Social Club made history with four Tony wins, including Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations, highlighting the growing diversity and richness of Broadway’s offerings. In the play categories, Sarah Snook earned Best Leading Actress for her role in The Picture of Dorian Gray, while other notable winners included a range of actors, directors, and designers who contributed to a vibrant and competitive season.
Nicole Scherzinger’s journey from pop icon to Broadway star is a testament to perseverance and reinvention. She acknowledged the grueling Broadway schedule and the emotional toll of the role but expressed profound gratitude for the sense of belonging she found on stage. “You all have made me feel that I belong and I have come home at last,” she told the audience. “So if there’s anyone out there who feels like they don’t belong or your time hasn’t come, don’t give up, just keep on giving and giving because the world needs your love and your light more than ever now.”
The 2025 Tony Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also showcased the evolving landscape of theater, blending technology, diverse storytelling, and fresh interpretations of classic works. As Sunset Boulevard continues its run through July, it stands as a shining example of Broadway’s enduring ability to reinvent itself and captivate audiences anew.
