Latest news with #2025TonyAwards
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cynthia Erivo Puts Adam Lambert on the Spot & Holds Oprah's Finger in 2025 Tonys Opening Number
Sometimes all you need is a song — but a little support from Oprah Winfrey and Adam Lambert doesn't hurt, either. Cynthia Erivo opened the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday night (June 8) with a show-stopping number featuring epic cameos from both the talk show legend and American Idol alum. Just before taking the stage in a glittering red gown, the Wicked star — who made her hosting debut at this year's ceremony — ran into Winfrey, who gave her some sage advice. 'The only thing you need to do is just be yourself,' the mogul said before offering up her pointer finger to Erivo, who then hilariously grasped it as a tribute to her viral 2024 'holding space' meme with Ariana Grande. More from Billboard 'Maybe Happy Ending,' 'Sunset Blvd.' Win Key 2025 Tony Awards: Full Winners List Kylie Minogue Joins Prestigious '21 Club' at London's O2 Arena Kevin Parker Previews New Tame Impala Music During Barcelona DJ Set Erivo then embarked on a vocally stunning musical performance of an original song to start the show, during which she shouted out many of the night's honorees and repeated the phrase, 'Sometimes all you need is a song.' Toward the end of the number, she stepped out into the audience at New York City's Radio Music Hall and prompted some of the ceremony's all-star guests to sing the same line. Kristin Chenoweth and Aaron Tveit both gave pitch-perfect on-the-spot deliveries as Erivo held out her microphone to them, but the most memorable was definitely Lambert, who blew the crowd away with spontaneous, dexterous riffs. The Pinocchio actress ended the number back on stage with a full gospel choir backing her up, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Then it was off to the races, with Erivo helming the program as Darren Criss, Nicole Scherzinger, Cole Escola, Sarah Snook and more all took home statuettes for their performances in various Broadway shows. Maybe Happy Ending won best musical, while the Scherzinger-led Sunset Blvd. won best revival of a musical and Purpose won best play. Erivo's hosting debut comes just one week after she appeared on the cover of Billboard, and two days after she dropped her long-awaited studio album, I Forgive You. In August, she'll play the titular role in a three-night production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, appearing alongside Lambert, who will portray Judas. Watch Erivo's opening number at the 2025 Tony Awards below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brooklyn teacher wins Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A New York native and Brooklyn-based teacher was honored on the national stage this week. Gary Edwin Robinson, head of the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, was presented with the Excellence in Theatre Education Award at the Tony Awards ceremony on Sunday. More Local News Robinson made history as the first New York teacher to be awarded the honor at the 78th annual event, presented jointly with Carnegie Mellon University. 'I'm getting an award for going to work and enjoying what I do. I love it,' Robinson said backstage at the Tony Awards on Sunday. The Queens native got his start tap dancing at 8 years old with his dance teacher Gloria Jackson, who he attributes to igniting his love of theatre. Robinson went on to study music at Intermediate School 59 and Andrew Jackson High School in Queens before going on to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem chorus. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State While studying under his teacher Arthur Mitchell in Harlem, Robinson chose to pursue vocalist/theatre performance and later went on to study theatre education at Howard University. 'I am charged with the fact that I'm teaching theatre and I love theatre. That's what gets me ticking, tocking, that's the love,' Robinson told Carnegie Mellon University. Robinson's honor at the 2025 Tony Awards comes after he previously received an honorable mention in the education category in 2023. The Excellence in Theatre Education Award honors one educator in the United States every year who demonstrates exceptional commitment, innovation, and impact on students' lives through theatre education. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Smash' abruptly announces final show after Tony Awards drama in Broadway shocker
Behind every musical is a hot mess. 'Smash,' the Broadway play that opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 10, has abruptly announced its final show date after struggling at the box office and suffering a 2025 Tony Awards shutout. Executive producers Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron made the closing announcement on Tuesday. Playbill confirmed that the comedy's final show date will be June 22 after a total of 32 previews and just 84 regular performances. 6 'Smash' has abruptly announced its final show date after struggling at the box office and suffering a 2025 Tony Awards shutout. Matthew Murphy 6 Producers Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron made the closing announcement on Tuesday. Matthew Murphy Inspired by the canceled NBC series of the same name, 'Smash' is a musical about the making of a musical. Directed by Susan Stroman and featuring music by Marc Shaiman, it follows a group of theater artists as they try to create a Broadway production about Marilyn Monroe called 'Bombshell.' But the box office numbers were not in the play's favor, and the New York Times reported that the meta musical's weekly grosses were down from $1 million at its peak to $656K the week ending June 8. 6 Directed by Susan Stroman and featuring music by Marc Shaiman, 'Smash' follows a group of theater artists as they try to create a Broadway production about Marilyn Monroe called 'Bombshell.' Matthew Murphy The outlet also reported that $20 million was invested to bringing 'Smash' in Broadway to life, and so far, that money has not been recouped. This marks the first Broadway production to shutter after leaving empty-handed at the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday. Although 'Smash' was nominated for Best Choreography and Best Featured Actor, it didn't win either. 6 This marks the first Broadway production to shutter after leaving empty-handed at the 2025 Tony Awards. Matthew Murphy Spielberg, Greenblatt, and Meron's decision to close the musical after less than three months of regular performances comes after some behind-the-scenes drama unfolded at the Tonys. Both 'Smash' and 'Boop! The Betty Boop Musical' were left fuming because the award show's producers refused to let either play perform during the three-hour broadcast on CBS Sunday night. 'It's bizarre,' one Broadway producer said, although neither 'Smash' nor 'Boop!' was nominated for Best Musical this year. 6 Although 'Smash' was nominated for both Best Choreography and Best Featured Actor at the 2025 Tony Awards, it didn't win either. Matthew Murphy The Post exclusively confirmed that both productions were willing to pay the $300K that a Tony Awards appearance costs but were still rejected by the award show's producers. Spielberg, Greenblatt and Meron first announced that 'Smash' was heading to Broadway in 2020, seven years after the NBC series ended in 2013 after just two seasons. The trio also served as producers of the original show. 6 'Smash' was inspired by the canceled NBC series of the same name. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic ''Smash' is near and dear to my heart, and it was always my hope that a musical inspired by the show would eventually come to the stage,' Spielberg, 78, said in 2023. 'We think we've come up with something the die-hard series fans will love but that will also be exciting for people who never saw an episode of the show,' Meron, 69, added. 'And above all else,' he continued, 'it will be a valentine to the Broadway musical and the exhilarating rollercoaster ride of bringing one to life.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Clooney, 64, Is Officially Back After Taking a ‘Weed Whacker' to His Head
George Clooney, 64, Is Officially Back After Taking a 'Weed Whacker' to His Head originally appeared on Parade. George Clooney is back to his salt-and-pepper self after getting just about every last bit of dye off his hair. The actor spoke to E! News at the 2025 Tony Awards on June 8 about getting back to his signature look. "That black hair dye... I had to cut it out, I couldn't ... you can't color it out. So, I had to cut it all out, like, with a weed whacker to get it out of there," he joked. Clooney made headlines when he dyed his hair a dark brown hue ahead of his Broadway debut. The look received mixed reactions and many people preferred the Ocean's Eleven actor in his classic gray — including his wife, Amal Clooney. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 'Oh man, my wife was the happiest person when I came home after the play today and I'd cut all the hair off," George told People at the Tonys. "Because, you know, I looked like a drug dealer with that bad black dye job." George had a limited run in the play Good Night, and Good Luck at Winter Garden Theatre in Manhattan. He dyed his hair in an effort to truly embody the role of CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow. When he first made the drastic change, George told The New York Times that he didn't think the look would go over well at home. "My wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair," he told the outlet, adding, "My kids are going to just laugh at me nonstop." George Clooney, 64, Is Officially Back After Taking a 'Weed Whacker' to His Head first appeared on Parade on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Black America Web
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Red Carpet Gallery: Kara Young Takes Home A Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look, Michelle Williams Sparkles, & Cynthia Erivo Is The Moment In Blush
Source: TheStewartofNY / Getty Broadway's it-girl Kara Young just made history again. And we're cheering from the front row. On Sunday, June 8, Kara made history as the first Black performer to win a Tony Award two years in a row. The stunning actress took home Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Aziza in Purpose . The Harlem native plays a social worker in the production. Kara has been nominated four years straight, with a previous win for Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch . So, we love to see her receive her theatre flowers. RELATED: Red Carpet Rundown: Stunning Celebrity Looks From The 2024 Tony Awards Kara Young Takes Home Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look We Love Source: KENA BETANCUR / Getty Kara reminded the audience why theater matters in her acceptance speech. The play powerhouse said, 'In this world that's so divided, theater is a safe, a sacred space that we have to honor and cherish—and it makes us united.' Kara's win is a win for every little Black girl with Broadway dreams and every Black woman carving space in creative industries. She added in the press room, 'I truly feel like we are so divided out here in the world… Diversity literally equals humanity.' She didn't just deliver a message on stage and the mic; Kara also delivered a style statement on the red carpet. Kara accepted her trophy in tailored elegance. She wore a cropped satin tuxedo jacket over a sleek pencil skirt with a dramatic floor-length train that commanded attention. Her locs were styled into a regal top knot, and her stacked silver bangles added a little shine. She topped her look off with black and white pumps that tied everything together. Source: Sean Zanni / Getty From Kara Young's Win To Oprah Getting A Car, The 2025 Tony Awards Was A Whole Vibe The 2025 Tony Awards weren't just about what happened on stage but off as well. Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the night was packed wit h glam, show-stopping performances, and viral-worthy moments. One of the most unforgettable segments was when Cynthia hilariously 'gifted a car' to Oprah Winfrey. 'You get a car!' exclaimed Cynthia. Oprah couldn't help but smile and laugh – and so did we. We love a full-circle TV moment. And while the awards were entertaining, the red carpet also did what it needed to do. The styles were giving, the suits were iconic, and the hair and beauty looks were flawless. Keep scrolling to see looks from Ariana DeBose, Danielle Brooks, Leslie Odom, Jr., and more. Red Carpet Gallery: Kara Young Takes Home A Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look, Michelle Williams Sparkles, & Cynthia Erivo Is The Moment In Blush was originally published on Source:Getty As host, Cynthia Erivo didn't come to play. In true Cynthia fashion, she came to slay and make a statement. Her red carpet look was pure art. The actress-singer wore a velvet blush-toned gown that fit her like a glove. The dress included an architectural beaded bodice and satin train. To set off the look, she added diamond jewelry, a nude lip, and, of course, her signature bling nails. Source:Getty Audra McDonald brought old Hollywood glam with a sharp edge in this one-shoulder black sequin gown, complete with a royal purple side train. Her long braid was sleek and statement-making, proving that simplicity can still command attention. Source:Getty Michelle Williams is giving statuesque style in this beaded masterpiece from Bibhu Mohapatra. The 'Death Becomes Her' star is bold, regal, and the moment. And those bone-straight inches? Everything! Source:Getty Danielle Brooks made brown the moment in this voluminous embellished sheer Stephane Rolland SS25 Couture gown with puff sleeves and glimmering accents. Her braided top knot was sculptural perfection, and her energy was radiating confidence and joy. Source:Getty Leslie Odom Jr. gave an elevated suited look in a structured pinstripe gray suit with an exaggerated silhouette. He topped it with dark sunnies, polished shoes, and a soft turtleneck for a look that was equal parts boss and bold. His swaggy take on menswear should be studied. Source:Getty Ariana DeBose went full ethereal in a silky champagne slip dress that hugged her like a second skin. Her blonde box braids were styled down with soft waves, and the pearl layered necklaces added just the right touch of drama. Who doesn't love an effortless slay? Source:Getty LaChanze gave texture and movement in a layered halter style gold fringe dress from Karen Millen that danced every time she did. Her voluminous curls and stacked bangles tied the whole vintage glam moment together. Source:Getty Joy Woods was dipped in golden goddess energy, serving curves and culture in a long-sleeve beaded gown that sparkled with every step. Her high curly bun gave regal drama, while soft glam makeup let her natural beauty shine. Source:Getty Daveed Diggs gave disco tux realness in a shimmering mint green suit with white trim and a wide lapel. The tailored fit, textured fabric, and rhinestone bolo tie brought the flair only he can deliver. His look was a little retro, a little futuristic, and all fire. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
