Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, currently an Academy Award nominee for her performance as Elphaba in the blockbuster film adaptation of Wicked, will host the 78th Annual Tony Awards, which will honor the artistry of the 2024–2025 Broadway season.
This year’s ceremony, as previously reported, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall June 8, beginning at 8 PM ET, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
“I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor,” says Erivo in a statement. “I am looking forward to ushering the theatre community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion.”
“Through performances on both stage and screen, Cynthia has extended the magic of musical theatre to millions of new fans around the globe—and that is exactly the mission of the Tony Awards,” adds American Theater Wing President and CEO Heather Hitchens and Broadway League President Jason Laks in a joint statement. “Her talent defies gravity and boundaries, and we are beyond thrilled to welcome her home to Broadway for what will be a joyful and inspiring celebration of the theatrical art form. We hope audiences are ready to leap to their feet, cry tears of joy, and maybe even get up and dance.”
“Cynthia is a remarkable talent and with her deep roots in the theatre community, we are honored to have her host this year’s Tony Awards on CBS,” says Mackenzie Mitchell, vice president of specials for CBS. “There is no doubt with her innate creativity and captivating presence, she will deliver an unforgettable evening highlighting the extraordinary achievements of this Broadway season.”
Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her work as Celie in the Tony-winning revival of The Color Purple. She was also a producer for the 2023 Broadway debut of James Ijames' Fat Ham. In addition to Wicked, Erivo earned Oscar nominations for her performance in Harriet and for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song), also for Harriet.
Nominations for this year’s Tony Awards will be announced May 1.
The Tony Awards are produced in collaboration with Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, and White Cherry Entertainment. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss are executive producers and showrunners for White Cherry Entertainment. Weiss will serve as director.
The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At the Broadway League, Kristin Caskey is chair, and Laks is president. At the American Theatre Wing, Emilio Sosa is chair, and Hitchens is president and CEO.
