The American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League have announced that Cynthia Erivo will host the 78th annual Tony Awards. The ceremony, which will honor artistry of the 2024-2025 Broadway season, will take place at Radio City Music Hall and be broadcast live on June 8 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. Erivo is a Tony-winning performer, having earned the trophy for her turn as Celie in the 2015 revival of “The Color Purple.” This will mark her first time hosting the Tonys.
“I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor,” said Erivo in a statement. “I am looking forward to ushering the theater 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.”
Erivo is known around the world as Elphaba in the first part of the musical film adaptation of “Wicked,” a performance that earned her nominations for Oscar, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards. The film’s second part, “Wicked: For Good,” is set to hit cinemas on Nov. 21.
Erivo first broke out in the West End production of “The Color Purple,” playing the role of Celie, before making a splash on Broadway (and winning that Tony) in the same role. Her star continued to rise as she took on roles in features films, such as “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale” before starring in the title role of the Harriet Tubman biopic “Harriet,” earning an Oscar nomination for her performance as the former enslaved woman and renowned abolitionist. Erivo also earned an Oscar nod for writing the film’s original song “Stand Up.” This summer, Erivo will appear as Jesus in a staging of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl.
In addition to her Tony Award, Erivo is has won an Emmy (Outstanding On-Camera Musical Performance in a Daytime Program for her performance with the cast of “The Color Purple” on NBC’s “Today” show) and a Grammy (Best Musical Theater Album as a principal vocalist on the “Color Purple” revival cast recording). Erivo has also been nominated for a Tony for Best Play as a producer of 2023’s “Fat Ham.” In total, she is a three-time Oscar nominee and a four-time Golden Globe nominee, including nods from both awards bodies for her turn in “Wicked.” Erivo earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for her performance as Aretha Franklin in the limited series “Genius.”
“Through performances on both stage and screen, Cynthia has extended the magic of musical theater to millions of new fans around the globe — and that is exactly the mission of the Tony Awards,” said Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theater Wing, and Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, 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 theater community, we are honored to have her host this year’s Tony Awards on CBS,” said 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.”
Nominations for the 78th annual Tony Awards will take place on May 1. The Tony Awards administration committee has already met twice to rule on productions that are a part of the 2024-2025 season.
In addition to airing live on CBS, the June 8 broadcast will stream live for subscribers of Paramount+ with Showtime. (Paramount+ essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to the ceremony on-demand the day after the special airs.)
The Tony Awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League. Sponsors for the Tony Awards include City National Bank, American Express, Carnegie Mellon University, Baccarat, Cunard, Dewar’s, Sofitel New York, Playbill and the Rainbow Room.
