Tony Awards 2025 Pre-Show Info

Broadway’s biggest night is back, and yep, we’re counting everything… the red carpet, the amazing outfits, the catty snubs, and of course, the pre-show that sets the whole sparkly thing in motion. Whether you’re watching from your couch in sweats or pretending to be classy over takeout and wine, here’s what you need to know before the curtain rises on the 2025 Tony Awards.

Pre‑Show Start Time & Streaming Plans

Let’s start with timing — because missing Darren Criss serving drama before the drama would be a tragedy. The red carpet coverage kicks off at 4 PM ET, courtesy of Playbill’s YouTube Channel. That’s your warm-up lap.

The official pre-show, “The Tony Awards: Act One,” goes live at 6:40 PM ET (that’s 3:40 PM PT for the West Coast crew), streaming only on Pluto TV’s Live Music Channel. Yes, it’s free. Yes, it’s fabulous. And no, you don’t have to sign up for yet another trial or remember a new password. Just fire it up and enjoy Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry doing what they do best; hyping the room, cracking jokes, and maybe tossing in a few playful jabs at fashion choices.

And once they wrap? You’ve got just over an hour to grab snacks, hit the bathroom, doomscroll Twitter, or argue about who’s most overdue for a win.

Cynthia Erivo’s Hosting, and It’s Giving Iconic

At 8 PM ET on Sunday, June 8, the real show begins. This year’s host is none other than Cynthia Erivo, Tony winner, powerhouse vocalist, recent Oscar nominee, and all-around queen. She’ll be taking over Radio City Music Hall and keeping things moving with that trademark mix of grace and no-nonsense energy.

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If you’ve got CBS via cable, you’re good to go. If you’re planning to stream, head to Paramount+, but here’s the catch: you need the SHOWTIME tier to watch it all go down live. If you’ve got an Essential plan, sadly, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow (June 9) to catch the ceremony on-demand. So, choose wisely… because spoilers don’t sleep.

Whether you’re team Broadway stan, team “just here for the outfits,” or team “wait, that show’s still running?!” — this awards showing has something for everyone. The stars are ready. The stages are set. The group chats are loading.

Tony night’s coming fast. Let’s go.

Curious about presenters, performances, or how to catch exclusive backstage tidbits? Stay tuned; Entertainment Now has you covered throughout the night.