How student travel leaders can use the Tonys as a guide to picking the most exciting shows for their trip.
Welcome to New York City—where every street corner is a living classroom, offering student travelers an exciting blend of educational, cultural, and social adventures. From the art on the walls at MoMA to the history in the halls of Ellis Island, the city comes alive with stories that connect the past and present, sparking curiosity and inspiring future possibilities.
But no trip to NYC is complete without seeing a Broadway show. Broadway transforms powerful stories into unforgettable moments like no other medium can, through music, movement, and emotion. For those deciding which Broadway show to see, the Tony® Awards serve as a trusted guide—highlighting critically acclaimed productions that are truly worth the experience.
The Tony Awards, established by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, are more than just accolades; they symbolize the pinnacle of achievement in American theatre. Celebrated annually since 1947, these awards honor excellence across various categories, including production, performances, design, and creative elements. Winning a Tony often elevates a production from a show to a must-see event, making it an excellent guide for students and educators seeking quality offerings that students will remember for a lifetime.
The Tony Award for Best Musical holds a distinguished place in Broadway history, often elevating its winners to long-lasting fame. Many productions that receive this honor enjoy extended runs, becoming cultural touchstones and fixtures of American musical theatre.
Experiencing the Best Musical winner, particularly in its first year on Broadway, offers a glimpse into the burgeoning legacy of a production revered for its excellence. This year, Maybe Happy Ending claimed the Best Musical award, marking its place in the annals of theatre history. With its innovative charm and engaging narrative, it promises to join the ranks of other celebrated musicals in the Broadway canon.
Maybe Happy Ending is a tender, futuristic musical about two outdated helper robots who rediscover love, purpose, and the beauty of connection in a world that has moved on without them. The musical stars Darren Criss (“Glee,” Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and newcomer Helen J Shen. In addition to its Best Musical win, writers Will Aronson and Hue Park each took home two Tonys for Best Book and Best Original Score. The show also got a nod for Best Scenic Design, Best Direction, and Best Actor for Criss. With six trophies, Maybe Happy Ending was the biggest winner on Tony night.
But that’s just one show out of over 20 nominees across all categories! Not every show can win, but they were nominated for a reason. There are plenty of other standout productions—each offering something unique, inspiring, or unforgettable—that are sure to be crowd pleasers.
For a fun evening full of laughs, consider the side-splitting comedy Death Becomes Her about two rivals who go to outrageous lengths to stay young and beautiful. Its dueling divas, Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, were both nominated for Best Actress in a Musical—a rare occurrence, as few shows feature two female leads with roles this equally commanding. The musical’s costumes are awe-inspiring and added another trophy to designer Paul Tazewell’s mantle. He previously won a Tony for the costume design of Hamilton and this year he became the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on the film adaptation of the musical Wicked.
This season, one play dazzled audiences with its exceptional technical mastery, standing head and shoulders above the competition. Stranger Things: The First Shadowwon awards for Scenic Design, Lighting Design, and Sound Design as well as a Special Tony for illusions and technical effects, which was announced prior to the Tony Awards ceremony. The play, an Olivier-winning transfer from the West End, is a prequel to the events chronicled in the Netflix hit series. Its compelling exploration of suspense and friendship in a richly detailed setting makes it an ideal choice for students, offering a blend of entertainment and thought-provoking themes.
With so many choices, it can be hard to decide what show to book, but the Tony Awards provide a roadmap to the season’s top shows. By researching nominations and winners, educators and students can make informed decisions and find performances that align with their educational goals. This proactive approach helps combat typical challenges like ticket availability and pricing, as Tony wins usually result in increased demand. Broadway Inbound, an authorized Broadway ticket seller, offers access to special group ticket pricing, helping to secure seats and manage costs effortlessly.
In addition to ticketing assistance and expert advice, Broadway Inbound offers a variety of workshops to enrich any student trip to New York—many of which can be customized to match specific interests, support learning goals, and tie directly into the Tony-winning shows on the itinerary.
With the right tools and a little planning, the Tony Awards can turn a theatre trip into something truly unforgettable. And with Broadway Inbound handling the logistics, all that’s left is to sit back and enjoy the show.
Photos courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.
