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The Tony Awards aren't just about the winners — sometimes the hosts steal the whole show! Join us as we count down the most show-stopping, jaw-dropping host performances in Tony Awards history, from breathtaking opening numbers to unforgettable closing acts that had audiences leaping to their feet for a standing ovation!
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00:04Welcome to Ms. Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the hosts
00:08who stole the show at their respective Tony Awards ceremonies with performances
00:12worthy of a standing ovation number 20 and I am telling you I am going 78th
00:26Tony Awards. Fresh from soaring as Elphaba in Wicked, Cynthia Erivo took the 2025 Tony
00:32Awards stage and instantly reminded us why, when you have a voice like that, there's really
00:37little else you need.
00:49Her opening number was amazing, yes, but it was her show-closing rendition of And I Am
00:54Telling You I Am Going that truly brought the house down.
01:12Erivo commanded the room with humor, heart, and a performance that felt like a Broadway
01:16time capsule in the making.
01:18This was the kind of moment that makes the Tonys legendary.
01:20A world-class artist, a legendary song, and a reminder that sometimes all you need is
01:26a spotlight and a voice that won't quit.
01:29This was the tonne!
01:35No!
01:45Number 19. A Medley. 64th Tony Awards.
01:49Sean Hayes kicked off the 2010 Tony Awards with a bang, proving he was much more than
01:54a sitcom star by delivering a high-octane opening that showcased his classical training.
02:05Seated at the piano, Hayes launched into a whirlwind of instantly recognizable melodies,
02:10flexing classical chops that would one day help him snag his own Tony.
02:13He was soon joined by the cast of Million Dollar Quartet for a rollicking take on Blue Suede Shoes.
02:27Hayes and Levi Christ traded places at the piano with seamless showmanship, never missing a beat.
02:33And this was just the start of a medley that became a love letter to the season's biggest hits.
02:37You need to thank the lay of my Blue Suede Shoes.
02:48Number 18. Started out on stage. 54th Tony Awards.
02:52Before they were household names on TV, stars like Megan Mullally, Jesse L. Martin, and Jane Krakowski
02:58were treading the boards. And this year's host, Rosie O'Donnell, made sure the world remembered it.
03:02Welcome to the tone. Now sit back and relax. I'm gonna use a song to tell you little no facts.
03:09You know lots of TV shows are filmed in LA. But did you know your favorite stars began on Broadway?
03:16Channeling the electric pulse of Jesus Christ Superstar, Rosie's opening number was a love
03:21letter to Broadway's role as the ultimate star factory. This wasn't about name-dropping. It was
03:26a celebration of roots, grit, and the sheer joy of live performance, bridging together TV and theater's
03:32best and brightest.
03:33I saw him in Rent way back when he was started. He can solve a crime with barely breaking a
03:39sweat.
03:40But did you know that he can do a mean hero?
03:43Rosie's infectious pride and brassy delivery made the whole night feel like a Broadway block party
03:48as she unapologetically championed theater as the true training ground for greatness.
04:04When you put two of the Tony Awards' most decorated hosts on stage together,
04:09there's bound to be a little tension. So how do two triple threats duel it out?
04:13I can host any show better than you. No, you can't. Yes, I can. No, you can't. Yes, I can.
04:19No,
04:19you can't. Yes, I can. Yes, I can. Your show is how I met your mother. I'll do this show
04:27to the other.
04:28A host-off, of course. Trading verses and dance moves, these two Broadway vets turned their friendly
04:33rivalry into a full-blown musical duel, riffing on their careers and peppering the stage with inside
04:39theater jokes. The choreography was electric, the banter pitch perfect, and the whole thing felt
04:54like a love letter to Broadway's competitive camaraderie. We're still holding out hope for
04:58the year they finally co-host, because that's the double act we deserve. It would be legend.
05:02Please don't make us wait for it, Derry. We'll have a real good time.
05:15Number 16. Broadway songs we've never done and never will. 49th Tony Awards. Before Miscast
05:21became a Broadway staple, Nathan Lane and Gregory Hines set the gold standard for role-swapping
05:27hilarity at the 49th Tony Awards. How do you feel? Well, I feel pretty.
05:34How pretty? Oh, so pretty. I feel pretty and witty and bright and I pity any girl who isn't
05:46me tonight. The duo tore through a medley of songs from roles usually reserved for Broadway's
05:52leading ladies. Watching Lane match Hines step for step was pure joy, a testament to their
05:57versatility and showmanship. Grind your behind till you're bad, but you gotta get a give a kiss if you
06:05wanna get a hand. The chemistry between these two legends was off the charts, and their playful
06:12subversion of casting norms made for a performance that still feels ahead of its time. This was Broadway
06:17at its most joyful and irreverent. We sure had a real good time watching them, and it's clear they're
06:22having a blast too. Let us entertain you, and we will have a real good time. Eat your heart out,
06:32girls!
06:33Number 15. This Party's For You, 77th Tony Awards. Ariana DeBose officially kicked off the 2024
06:40ceremony with This Party's For You, an opening that felt like a vibrant show-stopping gala.
06:45Maybe you saw a show or acted in your high school play, and you danced in your room and dreamed
06:52of being
06:53on Broadway. The three-time host, who also co-choreographed and produced the number, brought a magnetic
06:59energy, turning the theater into a pulsating celebration of musical theater. The choreography
07:04was a razor-sharp blend of contemporary movement and Broadway flair, showcasing her incredible
07:09athleticism.
07:10There's no better place to find it, the kind of joy you see, the kind you find on Broadway
07:17life, eight times a week.
07:20It was a bold shift in tone that emphasized inclusion and joy over stuffy tradition. DeBose's
07:26performance proved that the future of hosting is about making the audience feel like they
07:30are part of the celebration. She really did the thing.
07:33This party's for you, you, you. This party's for you.
07:45Number 14. What If Life Were More Like Theater, 66th Tony Awards. Neil Patrick Harris is the
07:51undisputed king of Tony openings, and his 2012 turn was pure theater kid wish fulfillment.
07:56What if life were more like theater? Wouldn't life be red?
08:05Teaming up with stars like Amanda Seyfried, Patti LuPone, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, NPH asked the
08:10question every musical fan has pondered. What if real life played out like a Broadway show? The
08:15result was a high concept, flawlessly staged number that celebrated the glorious absurdity of the stage.
08:21What if all of your colleagues were hotties? With freakishly flexible bodies? And none of them
08:29needed to sleep or need or pee? We don't pee. A world where even your most mundane routine could
08:37be brightened up with jazz hands. Harris's infectious enthusiasm and showmanship made the fantasy feel real.
08:43And honestly, who among us hasn't dreamed of living life with a full ensemble in tow?
08:57Number 13. One Night Only, 58th Tony Awards. If there's one night only every year that gets theater fans buzzing,
09:05it's the tony awards. Joined by cast members from Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, and Carolina
09:19Change, Hugh Jackman brought a joyous celebration of the biggest night on the industry's calendar.
09:24And of course, since this is Radio City Music Hall, what would a performance be without the
09:29Rockettes and an epic kick line? It's a high energy performance that reminds audiences why there's
09:45really nothing quite like the bright lights of Broadway. From cheeky puppet cameos to a stage
09:50that becomes packed with the season's brightest stars, the whole thing feels like the best kind of dream.
09:54One night only, come on, come on, one night only, come on, come on, one night only, one night only,
10:07one night!
10:08Number 12. This One's For You, An Ode to the Losers, 72nd Tony Awards. You know, for a group that
10:15makes up
10:15the majority, the nominees who go home empty-handed aren't celebrated nearly enough.
10:20Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo, so this is for the people who lose, cause both of us have been in your
10:29shoes.
10:30Luckily, this year's hosts know exactly how that feels, so decided it was time to give
10:35that group its long-deserved flowers. The lyrics are clever and self-aware,
10:39poking fun at their own careers while honoring the resilience of their peers.
10:54This performance stood out for its humility and its genuine connection to the theater community's
10:58shared experience. It's a classy, moving, and surprisingly funny way to start the night that
11:03feels entirely personal to this partnership, proving that sometimes the biggest winners
11:07aren't the ones with the trophies.
11:09This one's for you.
11:19Number 11. Live, 73rd Tony Awards. When James Corden returned to host the 2019 Tonys,
11:26he made a case for live theater itself.
11:38Live was a turbocharged anthem that pitted the magic of Broadway against the convenience of
11:43streaming, with Corden leading a whirlwind of set changes, cameos, and incredible choreography.
11:48The lyrics were sharp and witty, name-checking everything from Netflix to binge culture,
11:53but always circling back to the irreplaceable thrill of a live audience.
12:08Corden barely paused for breath as he sprinted across the stage,
12:12rallying the crowd for a night that promised pure, unfiltered excitement.
12:15He doesn't need to tell us twice. There really is nothing like being in the room where it happens.
12:34The definition of musical royalty, Liza Minnelli has not only received four Tony Awards,
12:39but also hosted the ceremony in 1993. This was an especially significant year,
12:45as it honored the 100th anniversary of theater in Times Square.
12:48A sorcery tap, a gift unwrapped.
12:53This opening number is a celebration of Broadway in the purest sense,
12:57commencing with a sensational solo from Barry Bostwick.
13:00Once Minnelli storms onto the stage though, she steals the whole show.
13:04Along the way, the ensemble references a series of Broadway
13:07classics any die-hard musical fan will appreciate.
13:11Celebrate Broadway, reignite the time.
13:17Uniting the cast of Cats, Guys and Dolls, and numerous others,
13:21we couldn't think of a better way to commemorate a century of singing and dancing.
13:25Number 9. Broadway Divas, 50 Second Tony Awards.
13:30Host Rosie O'Donnell wasn't the only Broadway diva who lit up the stage in 1998.
13:35Along with the dancers from Chicago, Rosie takes us on a trip down memory lane,
13:40as we revisit some of the most legendary performances throughout Tony history.
13:44Making impeccable use of a rotating stage, we transition between three solo acts.
13:50First up is Patti LuPone, singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina from Evita.
13:54Don't Cry For Me Argentina
14:00Jennifer Holliday brings down the house with And I Am Telling You from Dreamgirls.
14:04Things then take a bittersweet turn,
14:06as Betty Buckley serenades the audience with memory from Cats.
14:10Touch me, it's so easy to hear me.
14:17As a grand finale, the three Tony winners join Rosie for an ensemble piece unlike any other.
14:22Number 8. The Show Must Go On and Comedy Tonight, 50th Tony Awards.
14:29Celebrating the Tony Awards 50th birthday, this ceremony opens up with a very special
14:34announcement from the Phantom of the Opera himself. Liza Minnelli and Bernadette Peters
14:39then take to the stage with a number appropriately titled The Show Must Go On.
14:43The show must go on, the show must go on.
14:49Their rousing duet eventually evolves into a full-blown chorus with some of the biggest
14:53names in all of Broadway, including James Earl Jones, John Lithgow, and Bea Arthur.
14:59The second half of the opening shifts to host Nathan Lane,
15:02and the cast of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum Singing Comedy Tonight.
15:13That same evening, Lane would win the Tony for best performance by a leading actor in a musical.
15:18Number 7. Take Me To Broadway, 68th Tony Awards.
15:23For his fourth time as host, Hugh Jackman borrowed a page from Bobby Van in the 1953 film Small Town
15:29Girl,
15:30hopping his way through Radio City Music Hall.
15:32You wouldn't think hopping up and down would be anything special, but Jackman bounces around
15:37with the same level of enthusiasm as Tigger on a trampoline.
15:41In addition to hopping, he also shows off his jump rope skills while also taking the time to
15:46converse with his fellow thespians. Jackman only briefly stands still during an elevator ride with
15:51Neil Patrick Harris.
15:57As Jackman makes it to the stage, we're reminded that his singing chops are only matched by his
16:02gifts as a physical actor.
16:04I love the Tonys, and I'm the host of your show, yes!
16:18Number 6. Wouldn't It Be Loverly, Camelot, and I Could Have Danced All Night, 45th Tony Awards.
16:25Another Broadway great, Julie Andrews, has hosted the Tony Awards a total of three times.
16:31Where are the clowns? Send in the clowns.
16:40After moving us to tears with a performance of Send in the Clowns in 1984, Andrews returned
16:46several years later to revisit some of her greatest hits.
16:49Ask every person if he's heard the story, and tell it strong and clear if he has not.
16:58Andrews had previously accumulated two Tony nominations, for her performances as Eliza
17:03Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Queen Guinevere in Camelot. It's only fitting that she dominated
17:08the stage with renditions of Wouldn't It Be Loverly, Camelot, and I Could Have Danced All Night.
17:21This performance slowly transitions from being small and humorous to grand and dignified,
17:26showing off Andrews' full range as a singer, and leaving the audience wanting more.
17:32Number 5. This Could Be You, 70th Tony Awards.
17:36As a seasoned Broadway actor, and the man behind Carpool Karaoke,
17:40it was only a matter of time until James Corden hosted the Tony Awards.
17:44The English comedian didn't disappoint in 2016, when he opened the show with this inspiring number.
17:50Oh, that could be me, that could be me, and that could be a lot of fun.
17:58Reminiscing about his early love for theater, Corden speaks to every young kid who dreams of being on
18:03Broadway. The number has a certain childlike wonder, that captures the sensation of watching a musical
18:09for the very first time.
18:16It also reminds us that shows like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Lion King are more
18:22than just entertainment. They're beacons of inspiration for generations of theater lovers to come.
18:28Oprah, have I ruined the Tonys? Level with me, Oprah, have I ruined it?
18:34Number 4. It's Not Just For Gays Anymore, 65th Tony Awards.
18:39The 2011 ceremony was full of highlights, including the aforementioned duet between host
18:44Neil Patrick Harris and his best frenemy, Hugh Jackman.
18:47And if we're real good, we'll make them feel good. We want the spirits to climb.
18:55However, nothing could outshine this primetime Emmy-winning opening number,
18:59which forever diminishes the stereotype that Broadway shows are only for gay people.
19:04Because Broadway has never been broader, it's not just for gays anymore.
19:11Enlisting the cast of Catch Me If You Can, Sister Act, The Book of Mormon, and Anything Goes,
19:17Harris demonstrates just how varied musicals have become, appealing to a wide range of audiences.
19:23And also foreign tourists and the groups of senior citizens and well-to-do suburbanites and liberal
19:29intellectuals. Though that group is really only Jews and homosexuals, I've lost my train of thought,
19:34yes, it's not just for gays anymore. He gets backup from celebrities like Stephen Colbert,
19:41Brooke Shields, and Bobby Cannavale as well. While also poking fun at his own sexual orientation,
19:47Harris delivers a marvelous performance that's guaranteed to delight everyone,
19:51no matter their sexual preference. Wow! I mean, come on, isn't this fabulous? I mean, isn't this awesome?
20:01Number 3. Everything's Coming Up Roses, 43rd Tony Awards.
20:06Angela Lansbury hosted the Tony Awards a record-breaking five times,
20:11and her opening performance at the 1989 ceremony just might have been her finest moment.
20:17Clear the decks, clear the tracks, you've got nothing to do but relax.
20:23Lansbury kicked things off with a rendition of Everything's Coming Up Roses from Gypsy.
20:28She had previously performed this iconic number in 1974 on Broadway,
20:33and she once again hit it out of the park with charisma, charm, and passion.
20:42Compared to some of the other entries on our list, this performance isn't especially extravagant in
20:48terms of choreography or production value. Sometimes to make the crowd go wild, though,
20:52all you need is a show-stopping song and a pitch-perfect voice.
20:56Every day's coming up roses for me, I'm for you.
21:11Number 2. Not The Boy Next Door, 58th Tony Awards.
21:16In addition to hosting the Tonys in 2004, Hugh Jackman also took home an award for his performance
21:22in The Boy From Oz.
21:30On top of that, Jackman's hosting duties that year would later win him a Primetime Emmy for individual
21:36performance in a variety or music program. Jackman's success at both of these award shows
21:41can be best summed up through his stimulating rendition of Not The Boy Next Door.
21:53Portraying real-life singer-songwriter Peter Allen,
21:56Jackman turns in one of the most energetic performances ever to grace the stage.
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22:33Number 1. Bigger, 67th Tony Awards.
22:37Let's make it bigger, tonight it's bigger, who will take home a Tony statue we don't know.
22:45After already hosting three times, it looked like NPH couldn't possibly top himself.
22:50The primetime Emmy-winning Bigger more than lives up to its name, however.
22:54With music by Tom Kitt of Next to Normal, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton,
22:59this number has everything. And we mean everything.
23:03The season's new reclutes include the cast of Kinky Boots,
23:06you know they're beautiful and buff as navy seals.
23:09In addition to musicals like Once, Kinky Boots, and Matilda,
23:13Harris makes some legendary references to How I Met Your Mother and Tom Pooper's Les Miserables.
23:18He even works Mike Tyson into the mix.
23:20Forgive me if it's random, but Mike Tyson had a one-man show.
23:24Let's give the man a hand and make things bigger.
23:28The ensemble, which includes performers young and old, give 110%.
23:33With a giant Tony award at the center of it all,
23:36this number blew the roof off Radio City Music Hall.
23:40Well, that's our budget. Good night!
23:43If host performances were a Tony category, who would be your winner?
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