Top 30 Best Tony Award Performances of All Time

[@BlueJeanBaby]

What's even more amazing is that Jennifer Holliday did that 8 times a week.👑

[@johnlewis195]

21 years old doing that.....Wow

[@bobhogg4174]

Metamucil.

[@mindytillapaugh3465]

When I saw "The Lion King" performance on the Tony Awards - I cried....as I had never seen anything so amazing in my life ! It took me 6 months, but I FINALLY got tickets to the show, and saw the ORIGINAL cast ! It was one of the highlights of my life....I have seen the show in numerous venues since.....always getting an aisle seat for the FULL opening number experience! Julie Taymoor is a GENIUS !

[@DT-us3kd]

I’ve seen The Lion King so many times on stage, all over the world too, and that opening scene is so utterly powerful and beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes every freakin’ time ! And I always say to people, if you want to be completely undone and mesmerised by a musical, then go see The Lion King on stage. Absolutely magical ❤

[@natalieford3238]

SAME!!!!

[@nicolereardon8304]

I finally got see The Lion King in San Francisco, and I got a premium aisle seat, and I'm proud to say that I got smacked twice by an elephant's ear 😂 but at the end of Circle of Life, I was already crying ❤ comes in second to seeing Michael Crawford in POTO in Los Angeles

[@jillybeanc]

Apparently it’s a well known effect on people. I never cry at shows and I was so overwhelmed by the opening number I just lost it. It’s worth the ticket price alone.

[@AliLagrant]

I usually get tickets in the first mezzanine.... if I see Lion King I want an aisle seat on the floor????

[@alldownhill01]

And I am telling you was the only suitable #1! The sheer power coming from Jennifer Holliday has just not been seen on the Tony’s stage since!

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

Amen.

[@krystalvazquez4222]

I wish Deaf West’s performance of Spring Awakening was on this list. I love going back to the video every once in a while.

[@gracebrown3494]

I was in the theater the night that Jennifer Holliday made goosebumps on every arm in the theater, She hit one not so hard and pure that it bounced off the walls at the back of the theater and we all turned to look to see if there was someone else there singing with her, AWESOME.

[@HeatherKirksey-ls6gk]

Thank you for reminding us about the true beauty and power of musical theater. It doesn't matter that I would make different choices in some places; what matters is that all these performances and so many countless others hit us in our feels, uplift us, and remind us of the importance of art and performance. Not to mention they give all weirdo theater kids a reminder that there's a place in the world for us.

[@denisehicksbrown7502]

Number one EARNED it's spot and was the most memorable Tony's moment for me as someone who watches every year!

[@adamhainsworth9602]

And it was drumroll please SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL

[@naughtscrossstitches]

I hadn't heard number one until this but the moment she started singing I got goose bumps. Not even salty that it knocked my favourites back a bit further!

[@Iamshan1995]

You should watch the entire performance. It's all over KZbin

[@emmaevans2253]

Fabulous compilation! AND Michal Crawford held his final note for 23 seconds! He breaks my heart every single time ❤

[@corvus1374]

Raul Esparza's performance should have been ranked much higher Number one had to be Jennifer Holliday

[@britneymiles6246]

I was excited to even catch a glimpse of Heather Headley. However, I wish she had the opportunity to sing any of the songs from Aida at the Tony Awards. It is one of my favorite musicals. I still remember watching her sing "Easy as Life" in person...magical.

[@tall1sobay]

I came here to make sure you got it right for the #1 spot, and you did

[@erinlizzie09]

I will literally never not love Sutton Foster. She is deserved Broadway royalty.

[@jkrfan7]

Raise your hand if you’re still salty Raul Esparza didn’t win the Tony for company

[@KLK1618]

🙋🏼‍♀️

[@melodysymphonystar]

*Jumping up with both hands stretched* Salty doesn't even begin to cover it! I'm a salt mine all by myself, this wonderful, wonderfully talented man deserves ALL the awards!

[@Darkhuntersrule]

Wait wait wait it's the DA from Law and Order SVU...Do they know he is moonlighting on Broadway? What if an investigation crosses over to Broadway? Conflict of interest much? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jacquebollinger774]

🙋

[@Pumpkinqueen323]

Me! When they said lead actor I thought they said late actor and I had a heart attack

[@JanScogin]

I'd forgotten the Tonies were tonight, thanks for the incredible reminder.

[@trinaq]

I managed to catch "The Lion King" musical last year, and it was amazing, really capturing the spirit of the original movie. "The Circle of Life" always moves me.

[@DateMike22]

Nice never got to see it in New York 🗽.

[@DateMike22]

Where did you see it?

[@trinaq]

I saw it in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, a theatre in Dublin, where it was touring from September to November 2023. Hopefully you'll eventually see it one day.

[@MCMNasty2]

I never thought it would move me the way it did. But it sure did. ❤

[@Mimi4826]

Thank you for including Let it Burn! It’s unfortunate that Paradise Square didn’t do well, but Joaquina’s performance was amazing and definitely deserved a spot

[@aprilfool8329]

"Defying Gravity", which in my opinion belonged in the top 10, definitely belonged in this top 30 list.

[@Iamshan1995]

They based this on the Tony's performance.. Not the song. Idina did not sound good in this performance. That's why it didn't place on this list.

[@madisonparlett1905]

@@aprilfool8329 Finally! Someone agrees with me!

[@leadingbyxample]

​@@Iamshan1995facts!

[@UlmDoesAnything]

Dont forget the orchestra screwing up too

[@garrettr3644]

@@Iamshan1995 yuuuuup. she was ruff in this performance.

[@susank.7881]

Raul SHOULD have a Tony!

[@kylejohnson6867]

You all did a commendable job compiling a list made up of the most iconic performances of the last 80 years. Not an easy feat at all, be well done. I can’t really argue with any choice. Bernadette Peter’s performance as Mama Rose lives rent free in my head.

[@lorena0221]

I kept wondering, where is Dreamgirls? I had the GREAT pleasure of seeing it live in Denver, CO. JHs performance/song brought goose bumps all over again. EXCELENTE!!

[@aterrill18]

Great list! I also loved that Hadestown Tony performance!

[@techexpress01]

Not having a single Angela Lansbury performance with her numerous Tonys and hosting countless years, just proves why people think Mojo is crap!

[@maestromuffin1]

love them all, but the Ragtime prologue was just AMAZING!

[@chelsearoses22]

I've been in a production of Ragtime, it is powerful to say the least! I'm biased for our Colehouse....but him singing, "Make Them Hear You"...powerful

[@MCMNasty2]

So many great performances here. I watch the Anything Goes from 2011 often.

[@maggiegibbons2890]

Katrina Linke was mesmerizing. The music was so unusual, and she was spectacular.

[@ProllyJon]

Tonya Pinkins in “Caroline, or Change” needs to be on this list.

[@alyzu4755]

She was AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[@BurrShotHam711Jenna]

i love love love love Yorktown muskets or not, it was amazing!!

[@jamesfloyd6075]

I think Defying Gravity deserved a little more than an honorable mention. I mean they ranked 30 performances and that one is not only iconic but took Idina and Kristen’s careers to new heights. That, and two decades later with shows playing worldwide in many languages, it’s one of the most anticipated film adaptations of this year, and that song echoes throughout the recently released trailer. Not saying it beats Dreamgirls, but I would have bet money that it would have landed in the top 5, let alone the top 30.

[@Iamshan1995]

Idina sounded horrible during her Tony performance. That's why it didn't place. This was based on Tony performance only

[@tbam73]

Number 1 is correct. Dream Girls needs a Broadway arrival. Effie White will ALWAYS be J Holliday

[@jimkirkwood8791]

A great list, though I missed Daniel Radcliffe's Brotherhood of Man.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Nice to see Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) dancing in A Chorus Line.

[@SlmTtrl01]

I love Next to Normal, believe me, its my favourite musical, but putting it higher up than phantom just seems like a crime to me

[@miyannapittman5580]

NEWSIES APPRECIATION!!! That performance is where I first direct my friends to get a taste of the show, and for good reason. They got to perform right after Newsies' Chris Gattelli won best choreography, and the pure joy is palpable through the screen as they nail every turn and flip!

[@Desaki65]

I remember 1986, being a horror fan, telling my then BF's theater loving mom that a Phantom of the Opera musical was coming. (I'd read about it in Fangoria. 🤣) She told me I was insane. Then she became a HUGE fan. Something we bonded on!

[@AJ-sx4zz]

27:41 Michael Jeter is amazing in grand hotel but he will always be Mr noodle to me lol

[@christianjones5891]

Where is "Hair" (my all-time favorite Broadway show)? The performance at the '69 Tony Awards of them doing "3-5-0-0", "What A Piece of Work Is Man" and "The Flesh Failures" was simply iconic and moving that I'm surprised it didn't make the list.

[@Whatupyou2be]

#25 the Paradise Lost performance: the mic was on!!! Underrated af

[@susansokoloski2233]

Very good list although I would have some different placements and some substitutions.

[@felipemeza9735]

I know this is basic of me, but i just remembered Andrew Ranells' b0n3r at the Falsettos performance and laughed a little Thanks for that

[@DepezPoopsie]

The og cast of Annie at the Tonys was amazing as well.

[@erinlizzie09]

They NEEEED to make Next to normal a movie... Like now!

[@frankennyg1]

Wicked and Miss Saigon were honorable mentions? I guess we'll have to agree to disagree!

[@Agent160FTW]

To me, nothing beats Sydney Lucas and Ring of Keys. There may have been better performances, but that's the one I most often revisit, because it's something so moving and heartfelt about it and to be that young and command a stage in such a way is very special. My second favorite is I Believe with Andrew Rannells =D

[@kimberlybrady6976]

One thing you neglected to mention about The Lion King's Tony performance: it's even more impressive when you consider the entire design of the performance was created around the theatre it originally was in: a smaller theatre with box seats that were utilized by certain 'creatures' to create more of a jungle/plains environment. Birds and monkeys appear in the boxes and on the rims of the balcony, and the smaller atmosphere makes the audience part of the animals arriving to celebrate. But the Tony's that year were at FRICKING RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL - which is HUGE. Yet, they still managed to recreate that feeling of inclusion of the audience. It makes the performance that much more magical, that it was able to lose none of that feeling.

[@Lellyaina1994]

Michael Jeter ❤

[@jayneuman3457]

30 wonderful performances.

[@lindamcmeeking23]

FABULOUS!

[@HaleyRadiant]

How The Great Comet didn’t win BIG after it’s Tony performance is just embarrassing! Yes Dear Evan Hansen was a moment, but THE GREAT COMET WAS AN EXPERIENCE PAST A MOMENT! 🥺 God I wish I could see that show live! 😭

[@AuraHero]

I wonder if Great Comet and Come From Away took away too many votes from each other. Seriously, those two shows could have easily been Best Musical winners if they didn't share a season.

[@koldkutgirl]

id like to mention ben platt was actually very sick when he was on the tonys. i think he said he had a fever the night of the tonys.

[@eleathialongcope1741]

This should be Best Performances of Nominated Shows... If it was of all time NPH's Bigger would be here... *hugs

[@KZ1211-t2q]

I agree with your pick for #1. I saw the original on Broadway and it was amazing. However, I love Ragtime and the opening number, but, unfortunately, I never got to see it live. I had tickets for a production when the pandemic ruined my plans. One of the famous people in the cast that you neglected to mention was Lea Michele, who played the young immigrant girl.

[@stillherenow500]

Oh, Phantom of the Opera is here...inside my mind.

[@larrypicard8802]

Not having anything from “Hadestown” is a HUGE oversight for this list!

[@greywater57]

I feel like they’ve snubbed Hadestown at almost every opportunity lol. I still can’t believe, when they did best musical for each year, they gave that year to BEETLEJUICE. Especially since their reasoning was essentially “it was hip with the younger crowd.”

[@cactusflower3247]

Jennifer Holiday wins it for me Hands down!

[@haro2830]

Number 1 is absolutely right.

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

Of course “Dreamgirls” is #1! Jennifer Holliday’s performance in that show & that number is the best moment in Broadway history. Period! 🤗❤️✊🏿

[@smileyization97]

Love Hamilton and all, especially the absence of the firearms after the tragic event; but, I was waiting for In the Heights to at least get an honorable mention😢

[@BurrShotHam711Jenna]

nothing but respect

[@michelledawn7446]

I love In The Heights more than Hamilton.

[@smileyization97]

@@michelledawn7446 same!

[@joshuawinchester9599]

Kind of sad the How to Succeed revival with Mathew Broderick didn't make the list. Lillias White was phenomenal.

[@alyzu4755]

Yup. I saw it in '94 at the La Jolla Playhouse and she blew the roof off. 😍

[@Katie21892]

You now need to add The Outsiders to this list 🔥❤

[@TheLauren87]

Phantom is number 18! How! It should be at least in the top 10!

[@ellamaylouisee7768]

where’s alan cumming’s 2014 “willkomen” 😫😫

[@Mrstigger747]

Ohemgee, that performance took my actual breath away ❣️👋🇨🇦

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

The Next to Normal performance is how I found out about Aaron Tveit 😂

[@Countfoscolikesmice]

14:19 as I shout "I'm still HEEEEEEEEERRREEEEE!!!"

[@cathm8523]

How on earth did Defying Gravity not get in the top 10 - C’MON!!

[@alandombrow584]

Great selections! But i think Mary Poppins should have been included - 2007 Tony Awards

[@revolutiontalent3573]

Its kind of offensive that "Where You Are" by Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spiderwoman is not on this list

[@JesusAlmazan-c2x]

very good

[@27newyorker]

2 issues: Wicked as honorable mention???? That deserves a spot on the list. And how does the performance from The Bands Visit with Tony Shaloub not make this list at all???

[@Iamshan1995]

They based this on TONY PERFORMANCES... not the actual song(s). Idina sounded horrible, that's why it didn't place

[@27newyorker]

@@Iamshan1995 I know this is based on Tony performances, that’s why I said what I said about wicked

[@madisonparlett1905]

@27newyorker I'm mad that Defying Gravity wasn't on the list either (just an Honorable Mention)!

[@sarajelas8902]

Katrina and Tony's performance of Omar Sharif should 100% be here!

[@gonedoneggonedoneg9863]

Raul esparza great artist

[@sunnygirl523]

the lion king will always be my favorite performance at the tony’s ❤

[@dianac.coloncruz4738]

I'm still upset that Falsetto recording was taken down from youtube...

[@PotatoAlfredo]

I’m not sure if I missed it but was Thoroughly Modern Millie not on here? Personally, that’s one of my favorite performances from the Tony Awards

[@greatfilmmaker]

Ragtime does deserve more

[@Caprica-od6oc]

Yhe number one pick? Yes, there have been incredible performances at the Tony Awards over the years. But no one, and I mean NO ONE could to outperforms Jennifer Holiday

[@jenniferthompson3340]

What about " Tomorrow " from Andrea McArdle's Annie ?

[@elisa_lily]

Yes,Falsettos was truly robbed,it was,fantastic, they were all phenomenal,especially Andrew Rannells

[@toddsimpson9164]

It's possible voters said the musical won the first time, so it doesn't need a second round of Tonys. I'm not saying that's right, only my opinion.

[@elisa_lily]

@@toddsimpson9164You're right, in fact that's why they have the separate category ""Best revival of a musical ",for instance this year Merrily we roll along won there. Anyway, what's really important is that they created a great piece of art.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your insights. Keep working hard.

[@edmundcasey7765]

MS SAIGON, HELLO DOLLY, VICTOR VICTORIA, CHICAGO. . . . . where are they on your list??

[@greatfilmmaker]

I will let you know I am no problem with your order for 1 of the few times in history But number one will be number one I haven't seen anybody have no seen any of a tony performance better than that yet

[@erikafusco9063]

Daniel Radcliffe is dedicated to giving all he can!! Where's the love??

[@DepezPoopsie]

When I hear Ring of keys I think of The Other Two.

[@madisonparlett1905]

Defying Gravity is an Honorable Mention??!! OH, HELL NO!!!!

[@Iamshan1995]

Yes.. This list is ranked by best Tony performances.. Not by the actual song. Idina wasn't good that night at the Tony's. That's why it didn't place on this list.

[@madisonparlett1905]

@Iamshan1995 I don't care, in my opinion, she's the greatest singer of the 2000 era. I love her! When I first heard her voice, singing at the Tony's, my jaw dropped to the floor. I was that shocked. I didn't think she had a bad night. She sounded perfect. If Barbara Streisand was an Honorable Mention for Funny Girl, I would react the same way. Even though she's never performed at the Tony's before, which is BIZARRE to me! She's always amazing. Idina is, too. Bottom line, I just think she was great and deserved to be on the list, period. Also, I just found out that it was the orchestra's fault that she, "Had a bad night." She went with it anyway. That's a professional!

[@Iamshan1995]

@@madisonparlett1905I agree.... her having a a bad night doesn't diminish her talent. But based on the criteria of this list, it wasn't her best performance. She clearly agrees based on what you said about the Orchestra

[@natnisanijchin7477]

We all know the most iconic one is anything goes Patti LuPone 1988 tony

[@hoffmanxcollins]

Yes exactly!

[@woodiemaine8345]

I cannot believe that Wicked was not one of the top picks. Dang!!!!!!

[@Iamshan1995]

Idina performance wasn't good. That's why. This list wasn't based on the song but the performance

[@madisonparlett1905]

@@woodiemaine8345 I know!! It's not fair!

[@keithc.bevins926]

Patti LuPone‘s performance in Gypsy was nothing compared to Bernadette Peters.! (2002/3). Bernadette Peters took this role on as a woman that was failing after her prime, whereas Patti Lupone did what she always does and just belt out the score. Check me if I’m wrong.

[@samuelcollantes1175]

"It's all over". Happy sunday morning, Emily, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well.

[@brianlemons4695]

Matthew Broderick’s How to Succeed revival from about 1995

[@mypride.3560]

Raise your hand, if you think that define gravity should’ve been first or at least mentioned other than the honorable mentions

[@madisonparlett1905]

I definitely raise my ✋️

[@pdgf]

Is that a Rat on the stage during that Gypsy performance?!?!?! 😂🐀

[@cindiverbelun1802]

Three floor mics or lights. No rats.

[@arlenemcdonald224]

I saw Purlie on Broadway…Melba Moore was electric!

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Annie, Chicago, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, the Beauty and The Beast musical, School Of Rock: The Musical, Beetlejuice:The Musical The Musical The Musical, Spamalot, Funny Girl, and other musicals should've been on the list. 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎭🎭🗽🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

[@brigro]

Cannot take this list seriously with no Faith Prince/ Nathan Lane for the glorious Guys and Dolls Revival, Magic to Do from the Pippin revival and no Elaine, frigging, Stritch for anything she did???

[@jorgesantis3753]

Raul Esparza was just plainly robbed. His performance in in "Company" was striking and legendary. And where are the names of Ethel Merman and Angela Lansbury?

[@ShannonMarie-vz8nj]

The fact that let it burn wasn’t higher on this list is an absolute crime.

[@marboeditz9295]

"Brotherhood of Man" Deserved a spot.

[@erinsquire2749]

Hello cats long time no see

[@hoffmanxcollins]

9:02, 11:26 patti lupone❤

[@Joeoguzon]

People gotta remember that the ragtime opening at the Tony’s was only half of the full version

[@blossom114]

Should be noted among names Lea Michele was also in Ragtime. She's shown at 20:33