Hamilton's 10th Anniversary Shines at the 2025 Tony Awards

 

Hamilton's 10th Anniversary Shines at the 2025 Tony Awards




On June 8, 2025, the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, became a stage for celebration as the original Broadway cast of Hamilton reunited to mark the musical’s 10th anniversary. The performance, a highlight of Broadway’s biggest night, captivated audiences with a dynamic medley of the show’s iconic songs, reaffirming Hamilton’s enduring cultural impact. Hosted by Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, the ceremony honored the 2024-25 Broadway season while spotlighting this historic reunion.

A Star-Studded Reunion

The original Hamilton cast, led by creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, included Tony winners Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler), alongside Jonathan Groff (King George), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), and ensemble members like Ariana DeBose. The performance also featured Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), though fans noted his limited solo moments, sparking discussion online.

Dressed in sleek all-black attire—except for Groff’s playful red blazer nodding to King George’s royal garb—the cast delivered a rapid-fire medley. The setlist included “Non-Stop,” “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “Guns and Ships,” “You’ll Be Back,” “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down),” “The Room Where It Happens,” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story,” closing with the titular “Alexander Hamilton.” The performance, dubbed “Hamilten” by fans and host Erivo, brought the audience to its feet, with posts on X describing it as “phenomenal” and a moment that “brought peace to the world.”

Hamilton’s Legacy and 2025 Context

Since its Broadway debut on August 6, 2015, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, Hamilton has been a cultural juggernaut. The musical, which blends hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes to tell the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, won 11 Tony Awards in 2016 from a record-breaking 16 nominations, including Best Musical. It also secured a Grammy, an Olivier Award, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Kennedy Center Honors citation. Its original cast album, certified Diamond by the RIAA, became the first Broadway recording to reach 500 weeks on the Billboard 200.

The 2025 Tony Awards performance was not just a nostalgic tribute but a testament to Hamilton’s ongoing relevance. Erivo, introducing the cast, noted that the musical “reinvigorated the American theater and changed not just Broadway, but how Americans view their own history.” The reunion coincided with other anniversary celebrations, including Leslie Odom Jr.’s announced return to the role of Aaron Burr for a limited Broadway run from September 9 to November 23, 2025.

Controversy and Fan Reactions

The performance wasn’t without critique. Fans on X expressed disappointment that Anthony Ramos, a key original cast member, was not given a prominent solo, with some initially believing he was absent from the stage. A May 29 press release had omitted Ramos from the announced lineup, leading to confusion until his appearance in the ensemble was confirmed. Comments like “Why didn’t Anthony Ramos get a standout moment?” reflected fans’ frustration, though others praised his presence despite the oversight.

The 2025 Tony Awards: A Broader Picture

The Tony Awards, broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, showcased a competitive season with 42 eligible shows—21 plays and 21 musicals. Maybe Happy Ending emerged as the biggest winner, claiming six awards, including Best Musical, while Purpose won Best Play. Sunset Boulevard earned Best Revival of a Musical, with Nicole Scherzinger winning Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Norma Desmond. Sarah Snook took Best Actress in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray. Buena Vista Social Club and Death Becomes Her, each with 10 nominations, won four and one award, respectively.

Performances from nominated musicals like Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Operation Mincemeat, Floyd Collins, Gypsy, and Pirates complemented the Hamilton reunion. Presenters included Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Keanu Reeves, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who presented the Best Musical award. The preshow, hosted by Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry, aired on ABC and honored additional categories.

Conclusion

The Hamilton reunion at the 2025 Tony Awards was a powerful reminder of the musical’s transformative legacy. As Broadway’s highest-grossing season in history drew to a close, with nearly $2 billion in ticket sales and 14.7 million attendees, the performance underscored Hamilton’s role in drawing diverse audiences and reshaping theater. For fans old and new, the medley was a thrilling celebration of a show that continues to resonate a decade later.

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