Would you believe that you probably recognize these Tony winners? 

Historically, Broadway and theater has been a little more of a niche area of interest for Americans than movies and TV where the Tony awards feature less recognizable stars. However, the theater industry has been trending more and more toward casting already established celebrities from TV and movies and other industries (including Reality TV and pop singers) to energize more interest in their shows. This, similar to movie studios only producing content with established fan bases, is a controversial move. The theater producers would argue its a move necessary to save the industry entirely. 

Whether it’s right or wrong, for once you probably have heard of some of these winners!

1. Nicole Scherzinger for Sunset Boulevard 

Nicole Scherzinger was famously the lead singer for the Pussycat Dolls (they had a lot of hits: ‘Buttons,’ ‘Don’t Cha’, ‘When I Grow Up’). She went on in more recent years to co-host The Masked Singer and starred in recognizable titles like Moana. Nicole won for Sunset Boulevard which also won in the category for Best Musical Revival. 

2. Sarah Snook for The Picture of Dorian Gray 

Sarah Snook is famous for her role in HBO’s hit show Succession. In ‘Dorian Gray’ Snook played 26 different characters in the one woman show which is quite the departure from her role in Succession (for which she won an Emmy) where she plays off of at least a dozen other core actors. 

3. Darren Criss for Maybe Happy Ending 

Darren Criss got his big break on the popular TV show Glee where he played Blaine Anderson who was the lead vocalist for a rival school and then later joined the titular club. Darren also starred in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace where he played the guy who killed Versace (Andrew Cunanan) for which he won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Maybe Happy Ending had a great night at the Tonys with six awards including Criss’s. 

4. Sadie Sink nominated for John Proctor is a Villain

Sadie Sink didn’t win but she was nominated for leading actress for her role in John Proctor is a Villain. Her big breakout role was as Max in the hit series Stranger Things but she’s gone on to star in a lot of recognizable titles like the Fear Street series and Taylor Swift’s viral All Too Well short film. 

5. Stranger Things: The First Shadow 

Speaking of Stranger Things, this isn’t a person but you’ve likely heard of the TV show on which this play is based. So even a play (not even a musical!) you’ve probably heard about.