NEW YORK – The 78th Annual Tony Awards returned to Radio City Music Hall June 8, 2025. The production was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. Jonathan Deans won the Tony for Best Sound Design of a Musical (Buena Vista Social Club) and Paul Arditti won for Best Sound Design of a Play (Stranger Things: The First Shadow).
Buena Vista Social Club’s band, hailing from Cuba, was also honored with a special Tony Award. Stranger Things’ Illusions & Technical Effects team (Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone & Edward Pierce) won a special Tony Award as well.
For more information about Deans and Buena Vista Social Club’s sound design, CLICK HERE.
For more information about Arditti and Stranger Things,CLICK HERE.
Nominees in 26 categories competed for the American Theatre Wing’s 78th Annual Antoinette Perry Tony Awards. The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 54 theatre professionals appointed by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theaters from April 26, 2024 through April 27, 2025 were eligible for nominations. The Tony Awards are voted for by 840 designated Tony voters from within the theatre community.
Here are all the 2025 design nominees with winners in bold:
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Marsha Ginsberg — English
Rob Howell — The Hills of California
Marg Horwell and David Bergman —The Picture of Dorian Gray
Miriam Buether and 59 — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Scott Pask — Good Night, and Good Luck
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rachel Hauck — Swept Away
Dane Laffrey and George Reeve — Maybe Happy Ending
Arnulfo Maldonado —Buena Vista Social Club
Derek McLane —Death Becomes Her
Derek McLane — Just in Time
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Natasha Chivers — The Hills of California
Jon Clark —Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Heather Gilbert and David Bengali — Good Night, and Good Luck
Natasha Katz and Hannah Wasileski —John Proctor Is the Villain
Nick Schlieper —The Picture of Dorian Gray
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Jack Knowles— Sunset Blvd.
Tyler Micoleau — Buena Vista Social Club
Scott Zielinski and Ruey Horng Sun — Floyd Collins
Ben Stanton — Maybe Happy Ending
Justin Townsend — Death Becomes Her
Best Costume Design of a Play
Brenda Abbandandolo — Good Night, and Good Luck
Marg Horwell —The Picture of Dorian Gray
Rob Howell —The Hills of California
Holly Pierson — Oh, Mary!
Brigitte Reiffenstuel — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Dede Ayite —Buena Vista Social Club
Gregg Barnes — BOOP! The Musical
Clint Ramos —Maybe Happy Ending
Paul Tazewell — Death Becomes Her
Catherine Zuber — Just in Time
Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Palmer Hefferan — John Proctor Is the Villain
Daniel Kluger — Good Night, and Good Luck
Nick Powell — The Hills of California
Clemence Williams — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Jonathan Deans —Buena Vista Social Club
Adam Fisher —Sunset Blvd.
Peter Hylenski —Just in Time
Peter Hylenski —Maybe Happy Ending
Dan Moses Schreier — Floyd Collins
For the full list of 2025 Tony Award winners, go to www.tonyawards.com
