The $30 million toe in the water

Lesley Manville, the acclaimed British actress,became the center of attention at the 2025 Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.. at 70 years old, she earned her first Tony Award for her Broadway debut, winning Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her portrayal of Jocasta in the revival of Oedipus.

The play received seven nominations, including Best Revival of a Play. In her acceptance speech, an emotional Manville said she was overwhelmed, noting it was her first time on Broadway.

A 2,500-year-old play gets a modern twist

Lesley Manville credited director and writer Robert Icke for bringing the 2,500-year-old play to the present day with startling results... She also remarked on how little has changed for women in over two millennia, calling the experience extraordinary but shocking.

The production of Oedipus, directed by Robert Icke, has been acclaimed for its modern take on the classic Greek tragedy. manville's ability to convey both vulnerability and strength has been singled out.

John Lithgow makes history at 80

John Lithgow made history at age 80, becoming the oldest winner in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play category. He won for his captivating portrayal of Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt's play Giant, defeating a stacked category that included Harry Potter alum Daniel Radcliffe for Every Brilliant Thing, Will Harrison for Punch, Nathan Lane for Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, and Mark Strong for Oedipus.

Lithgow's win came a staggering 53 years after his very first Tony Award. The night's biggest victor was Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, which swept six awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Actor for Nathan Lane.

The enduring power of theater

The ceremony also featured memroable performances from the nominated musicals, including a tribute to Broadway legends. Manville later told reporters that the journey from London to New York was worth it, and she felt grateful for the recognition.

She praised the Oedipus cast and crew, particularly Mark Strong, who played opposite her. The evening highlighted the enduring power of theater and the remarkable achievements of artists across generations.

Lesley Manville completes a rare triple crown

With this win, Manville completes a rare triple crown of major acting awards, having already won an Olivier and been nominated for an Oscar and BAFTAs. Her Broadway debut will be remembered as a historic moment in her already illustrious career.

The Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, celebrated the best of Broadway from the past season. This year's ceremony also included a moving tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim.