Top 30 Best Tony Award Performances of All Time

A showcase of its entire ensemble, the opening number of this blockbusting musical was the perfect representation of its power and gravity. It features the cast of hopeful dancers attempting to land a spot in the chorus of a Broadway show. “I Hope I Get It” is as blatantly desperate and adrenaline-pumping as the title would suggest. Recreated for the Tonys stage, it’s a dazzling display of sharp choreography and desperation that pulls us into its world and makes us forget we’re here to watch a bunch of people win some awards. “A Chorus Line” decimated the competition that night, winning 9 of the nominations it earned. Considering it was up against a heavy hitter like “Chicago,” that was no small feat.

Melba Moore won the Tony for her performance as the lovestruck young Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins in this musical about a preacher working to emancipate a group of plantation workers. Moore is easily one of Broadway’s most underrated belters. She begins the number in a rocking chair, cooing the first verse, and swinging like a little girl who becomes awakened by her newfound love. And then she belts the roof off the theater. It’s a performance so good, that the audience breaks into applause twice right in the middle of it. By the end, we can’t even hear Moore’s last note.

Based on Alison Bechdel’s tragicomic graphic memoir of the same name, this Best Musical winner features the artist as a character in three different phases of her life. At the Tonys, the “Ring of Keys” scene was chosen to represent it. Young Alison, played by nominee Sydney Lucas, is riveting as she has her first realization about who she is and what she wants to be. It’s a moment a lot of Tony viewers recognized in themselves. To see it rendered so beautifully for the live audience and everyone watching at home was an overwhelming experience.

This West End transplant made a huge splash when it came to Broadway. Whimsical, bombastic, and full of talented child performers who will make you feel old and unaccomplished, “Matilda” was a crowd-pleaser and a half. The show’s Tonys package was a medley of its most ensemble-heavy songs. It begins with children rising up against the evil Miss Trunchbull, whipping the audience into a frenzy of defiance and naughty behavior. But then, the performance’s undeniable left hook is the addition of “When I Grow Up.” This song points out one of the show’s hard truths. Life only gets more complicated as you get older. The whole thing is fun, wicked, and surprisingly emotional.

Director John Doyle’s novel and innovative revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical about marriage featured the actors playing the instruments. Lead actor Raúl Esparza sang the show’s climactic number at the 2007 Tonys. It starts simply and intimately. Esparza accompanies himself on the piano before the orchestra joins. As he stands center stage and delivers his character’s desperate plea for a partner to share the experience of “Being Alive,” he seems to be reinventing the way the song is understood. He plays Bobby’s big breakthrough like a painful and heart-wrenching rebirth. It’s a raw performance, full of desperation and destructive yearning.

Although this production was infamous for behind-the-scenes issues and underwhelming box office, the Civil War-set musical got its moment of glory at the 2022 awards. Lead actress Joaquina Kalukango stunned the crowd with her eleven o’clock number. With tears streaming down her face, she loses herself in her character’s defiant stance. Kalukango holds her anguished last note for an astonishing eighteen seconds. The applause is almost deafening. As she screams her approval from the front row, we were on the same page as Cynthia Erivo at this moment. It was the perfect encapsulation of what won Kalukango the Tony later in the night.

With an ensemble led by stage legends Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, the anthem to the Pérons’ quest for power is a soaring moment of musical theater. Looking back, it’s relatively simple staging for an Andrew Lloyd Webber show, but the impact is huge. Watching LuPone balance Eva Péron’s roles as the president’s supportive lover and a political power player on her own is as hilarious as it is enthralling. But it’s her vocal command that’s truly stunning. The score asks the performer playing Eva to do insane things, and LuPone makes it look like child’s play.

Another Andrew Lloyd Webber show makes its way onto the list. This time, it’s the Jellicle cast of “Cats.” Whether or not you get “Cats,” it set Broadway aflame in the 1982-83 season. But if you didn’t even feel a tug at your heartstrings after Broadway’s original Grizabella took the stage, you might just be determined to be a hater. That’s when the performance went from good to great. Betty Buckley’s lilting voice buoyed the show’s standout tune, “Memory,” for the Tony audience. Even behind all the makeup and fur, she gave an all-time great performance. Also, let’s talk about that sustained belt as she comes out of a crouching position. It’s iconic.

Mama Rose is a role that separates the legends from everyone else. If an actress of a certain age hasn’t played her yet, there’s a rumor going around that she’s going to. It was the kind of role it seemed shocking LuPone hadn’t played on Broadway yet. Well, timing must have been key here. When she brought the show’s famous act one closer to the Tony stage in 2008, it was a divine experience. She’s rapturous in the number. LuPone is a woman possessed. Her grand gestures and manhandling of co-star Laura Benanti are almost threateningly real. She fills the stage with all the wrath, resentment, and boundless determination of a woman who cannot be stopped.

Michael Bennett’s choreography changed the way musicals looked and moved. His style of contemporary dance is perfectly captured in this wacky number from “Promises, Promises” as staged for the 1969 Tonys. Donna McKechnie leads the trio of performers, office secretaries in the show, as they sing about the holidays. But the real star is the dancing. Apparently, Bennett’s choreography was so taxing that it required many dancers to see chiropractors. Watching it now, it’s definitely dated, but that only adds to the charm. It’s so technically precise and sensational. It’s a miracle that it doesn’t end with a massive pile-up of dancers by the end.

“Opening Up” the performance, we’re given a glimpse into Jenna’s pie-making world. However, if Tony performances could win Tony Awards, this musical’s powerful and heartfelt ballad would be a strong contender. “She Used to Be Mine” begins with songwriter and composer, Sara Bareilles at the piano before transitioning to its Tony-nominated leading actress, Jessie Mueller. Both are sensational performers, who leave us with chills. The show was nominated for four Tonys, including “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score”. And after watching this, it’s hard to believe that they didn’t win. In all fairness, the competition was pretty stiff that year, with “Hamilton” dominating most categories.

When “Falsettos” arrived on Broadway in the 90s, it won the Tony for “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original Score”. So when it was revived with Broadway icons, Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Brandon Uranowitz, and Stephanie J. Block in 2016, we had big expectations. And although the revival didn’t win any of its multiple nominations, we were still treated to this animated and exhilarating performance that proved why “Falsettos” will always be a timeless classic. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the musical, after watching this star-studded number, you could probably understand why some fans felt that the show had been robbed of a Tony.

This musical follows three communities living in Upstate New York at the beginning of the 1900s. The stirring title number performed at the Tonys, expertly set up the show’s tone. Through the song’s lyrics, choreography, and even their costumes, you can really feel the friction between the groups. Among the original Broadway cast are musical legends, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, and the late Marin Mazzie. For many fans, this show is so underrated and deserves more recognition. Nevertheless, in 1998 it led the nominations, receiving a whopping 13.That night, “Ragtime” won the Tony Awards for “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original Score”, among others.

Originating the role of Evan Hansen, Ben Platt gives a moving and powerful performance as the awkward titular teen. His portrayal of the character feels so raw and authentic that it’s impossible not to sympathize with him. Platt’s smooth vocals only elevate the character’s depth further too. The show, whose book was written by Steven Levenson with music from Pasek and Paul, won six out of the nine Tony Awards it was nominated for. This included “Best Musical”, “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original Score”. Aged 23, Platt also became the youngest solo recipient for “Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical”.

With Sutton Foster at the helm, this revival was welcomed back to Broadway by critics and audiences alike in the early 2010s. It received nine nominations, winning “Best Revival of a Musical” and “Best Choreography”. Foster also won her second Tony for her portrayal of Reno Sweeney. Performing the title number, the company proved why this show is always a firm fan-favorite. Catchy music, a talented cast, and an unbelievable tap dance break; what’s not to love? And to think that they did all this eight times a week! We’re exhausted just watching! But we’ll happily sit back and relax while the pros show us how it’s done.

Delving into one family’s experiences with mental illness, “Next To Normal” is full of songs that explore the angst, turmoil, and pain of dealing with loss. The original Broadway cast included Alice Ripley, J. Robert Spencer, and Aaron Tveit, who all gave an incredibly gripping and heartrending rendition of “You Don’t Know” and “I Am the One”. The songs illustrate the family’s struggles and the intensity of their acting is simply mind-blowing. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards that year, winning three. They took “Best Original Score”, “Best Orchestration” and Alice Ripley won “Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical”.

Making another appearance on our list, Andrew Rannells made audiences laugh out loud as devout Mormon missionary Elder Price. This hilarious albeit playfully irreverent number points out some of religion’s eccentricities - all in good spirits, of course. While it’s not the musical’s grandest show stopper, Rannells single-handedly and excellently encapsulates the tongue-in-cheek vibe of Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s satirical musical. Rannells was nominated for his role along with Josh Gad, who played the Elder Cunnigham to his Elder Price. Although neither won, the show still took home nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical”, “Best Orchestrations” and “Best Original Score”.

Exploring teenage sexuality at the end of the 19th century, “Spring Awakening” blossoms with moving songs about angst, confusion, and rebellion. This musical’s original Broadway cast, which included the likes of Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele, stole the show at the 2007 Tony Awards. The company presented three songs woven into one deeply effective performance. They all have different melodies, but each perfectly encompasses the frustration tied to adolescence. Gaining applause from every corner of the Radio City Music Hall, “Spring Awakening” ultimately took home 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The late Michael Jeter lit up the stage and brought us so much joy in his unforgettable appearance as Otto Kringelein. It’s a bittersweet story about a terminally ill man who plans to live out his final days in luxury. This song sees him indulge in a drink or several and dance as if he’s made entirely of jelly. It’s seriously impressive and you can imagine how this number would totally steal the show. “Grand Hotel” received twelve nods, winning five, including “Best Direction of a Musical” and “Best Choreography” for Tommy Tune. Jeter won “Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical” too, reducing us to tears with his heartfelt acceptance speech.

We all know that Neil Patrick Harris is a triple threat, but his Hedwig is simply electrifying. Harris reportedly told “The Hollywood Reporter” that embracing the character’s femininity and mastering heels was particularly challenging - although watching him, you’d never know. He takes the show into the audience, making himself rather comfortable among the showbiz elite. Even his co-star Lena Hall was apparently stunned as he treated Orlando Bloom to a car wash, gave Sting a lap dance, and even saved some extra sugar for his husband, David Burtka. “Hedwig” picked up four awards, with one unsurprisingly going to Harris for “Best Leading Actor in a Musical”.

Why showcase just one song? That’s exactly what this musical based on a 70-page segment of the novel “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy decided to do. Audiences got to hear crowd-pleasers, like “Dust and Ashes” and “The Abduction.” The cast was led by multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban, who was making his Broadway debut as the titular Pierre. Fans of the show were also given the opportunity to join the cast on stage. Despite leading the nominations that year with twelve nods, they only nabbed wins in two categories. This only proved how underrated this show was.

Broadway royalty incarnate, Bernadette Peters had to storm onto this list at some point. Peters earned a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Mama Rose in the 2003 revival of “Gypsy.” During that year’s ceremony, she lit up the stage with her rendition of “Rose’s Turn.” This song not only demonstrates Rose at her most domineering, but also at her most vulnerable as she finally breaks down. It takes a special kind of actress to hit so many different notes at once, but Peters was more than up to the task. Where Rose is sometimes depicted as an over-the-top theater mom, Peters brought a real sense of humanity to the character, making the role her own.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and company were the toast of Broadway at the 2008 Tony Awards where they performed “In the Heights” and “96,000” from “In the Heights.” Several years later, Miranda topped himself with another award show darling, “Hamilton.” When President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama introduce a Tony-nominated musical, something special is clearly in store for the audience. The “Hamilton” cast didn’t disappoint with their performance of “Yorktown,” which finds the Continental Army on top of a world turned upside down. Although this number is usually performed with muskets, the cast decided to forego the presence of firearms in wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. This made the performance all the more poignant and important.

This Disney cult classic was clearly destined for life upon the stage as best seen in this energetic medley led by Jeremy Jordan. Fans of the movie got to see that same magic recaptured through these undeniably catchy songs and ambitious dances. However, if you thought the choreography was something in the film, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This talented ensemble gives us an animated show stopper full of the most impressive athletic and acrobatic moves. So, you won’t be surprised to learn that one of their two Tony wins was for “Best Choreography”. Numbers like this prove why there’s really nothing like live theater.

Bringing an animated epic to the stage is no easy endeavor, especially when all of the characters are animals. With a visionary director like Julie Taymor helming the project, though, anything’s possible. “The Lion King” ruled the 1998 Tony Awards while also enthralling viewers with a performance of “Circle of Life.” It’s impossible not to erupt into applause from the second Tsidii Le Loka hits her first note. Utilizing stylized costumes and puppets, an animal kingdom invades the theater. As elephants and rhinos stomp through the aisles, the audience becomes a part of the experience. Once lion cub Simba is finally presented, we truly feel connected to the circle of life, demonstrating the power of theater.

With its relevant themes, relatable characters, and infectious rock songs, “Rent” is often cited for spawning a new generation of theater lovers. The late Jonathan Larson’s musical magnum opus won big at the 1996 Tony Awards with the cast’s performances of “Seasons of Love” and “La Vie Boheme” bringing down the house. These are two of the most life-affirming songs in the history of musical theater, encouraging artists to follow their dreams and people everywhere to live every day to the fullest. If you weren’t a RENT-head already, you definitely were after this performance.

Starting with the lively “Mysterious Ways,” the cast of “The Color Purple” certainly caught our intrigue in the mid-2010s. And now that they had our attention, it was time for something completely different. The spirited song transitions into this iconic 11 o’clock number with the eventual Tony-winning, Cynthia Erivo’s “I’m Here” leaving us with goosebumps. After her phenomenal performance, we had no doubt that stardom was up ahead. Her voice is stunning and the emotion she puts into every lyric is spectacular. The actress received a well-earned standing ovation from the Beacon Theatre audience. We’re sure that people watching from home couldn’t resist jumping to their feet either.

“Les Miz” had taken London by storm and now it seemed like it was destined for the same success on Broadway. Then, at the Tonys, the cast subsequently proved that the music was strong and stirring enough to win over audiences. After all, not many shows could literally choreograph stepping back and forth and still move their audiences. The show won “Best Musical” and has continued to be a theatrical phenomenon ever since.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Miss Saigon” Medley, “45th Tony Awards” (1991)
A Sampling of the 11-Time Nominated Show

“I Hope I Get It” / “One” from “A Chorus Line”, “30th Tony Awards” (1976)
If They Were Also Hoping for 9 Tony Awards, They Got It

“Matilda the Musical” Medley, “67th Tony Awards” (2013)
This Show Based on Roald Dahl’s Classic Took Home 5 Tony Awards

“I’ve Decided to Marry You” from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”, “68th Tony Awards” (2014)
This Performance Alone Was Worthy of a Tony to Join the Other 4 They Won That Year

“Defying Gravity” from “Wicked”, “58th Tony Awards” (2004)
This Ten-Time Tony-Nominated Musical Still Manages to Drop Jaws with This Show-Stopping Number

“And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” is the definition of a showstopper. Over the years, many gifted actresses have hit this torch song out of the park. However, it will forever belong to the actress that originated the role of Effie White, Jennifer Holliday. In addition to winning a Tony for her mesmerizing portrayal, Holliday blew everyone away with her performance at the 1982 award ceremony. At this point in “Dreamgirls,” Effie has been betrayed and abandoned by her loved ones. Yet, that doesn’t stop her from singing her heart out, refusing to give up on her dream of superstardom. By the time it’s over, you’ll be racing to catch your breath.

Which of these Tony performances lives rent-free in your head? Tell us in the comments.