NEED TO KNOW
- James Earl Jones, Gavin Creel, Maggie Smith, Linda Lavin, and George Wendt were among those honored in the 2025 Tony Awards’ In Memoriam segment
- Cynthia Erivo and Sara Bareilles sang a touching rendition of “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie
- Bareilles broke down in tears as the number concluded and Erivo comforted her
Cynthia Erivo and Sara Bareilles shared an emotional exchange during a somber moment at the 2025 Tony Awards.
Ceremony host Erivo, 38, and Bareilles, 45, appeared at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8 to perform during the show’s In Memoriam segment, honoring those in the theater community who have died over the past year.
And while the two performers gave a flawless rendition of “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie, it was the moment the stage lights went down at the end of the tribute, which proved the most touching.
Bareilles, who was close friends with the late Gavin Creel, was seen visibly breaking down in tears when Creel’s photo was shown at the end of the tribute. Erivo comforted Bareilles, wrapping her in a hug before the broadcast cut to commercial.
“It’s been a remarkable year on Broadway, but it’s also been a devastating one,” the Wicked movie star said at the start of the segment.
The two harmonized together on a touching rendition of “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie as images of the actors, artists and theater producers we’ve lost played behind them. Theater figures included in the segment included Creel as well as the late George Wendt, James Earl Jones, Maggie Smith, Mitzi Gaynor, Quincy Jones, Linda Lavin, Charles Strouse, Richard Chamberlain and Tony Roberts, among others.
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Earlier in the evening, the first-time Tonys host kicked off the show with an ambitious opening number, shouting out many of the nominees. The ceremony featured a starry list of presenters including Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana DeBose, Danielle Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lea Salonga and Jean Smart.
More big-name stars include Charli D’Amelio, Katie Holmes, Allison Janney, Adam Lambert, Carrie Preston, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Stiller.
See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and airing now on CBS and Paramount+.
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