$595 for the Tonys? Let’s Talk About That.

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

I love the Tony Awards. I love the standing ovations, the surprise wins, the musical numbers that make you wish you were sitting in row G of the Jacobs Theatre. I love that for one night, the world pauses to celebrate the power of live theatre. But this year, something’s off—and it’s right there in the fine print: tickets to the 2025 Tony Awards start at $595. Yes, start.

Want a slightly better view than the top of someone’s head in the third mezzanine? That’ll run you $795. And no, that doesn’t include the convenience fees or the cost of a drink if you get parched between categories. Suddenly, a night honoring the best in Broadway feels like something only the best-paid can afford.

Let’s take a step back. In 2018, Tony tickets were $431. By 2019, they’d climbed to $525. So in just a few short years, we’ve added nearly $200 to the base price. That’s not an adjustment for inflation—that’s a dramatic shift in who this night is meant for.

And here’s the thing: the Tonys aren’t just a red-carpet event. They’re a celebration of creativity, risk, and resilience. They’re a beacon for every kid in community theatre, every student in a BFA program, every playwright scribbling in a coffee shop. They’re supposed to be for all of us. But when the entry fee is $595, it stops feeling like a shared celebration and starts feeling like an exclusive club.

Now, I’m not ignoring reality. Big events cost money. You’ve got production teams, union crews, presenters, security, and the rental cost of Radio City Music Hall itself. But when even the “cheap seats” require a small fortune, it’s hard not to feel disheartened. Because the message isn’t subtle: this night isn’t for everyone.

Broadway’s already in a precarious place when it comes to accessibility. Regular show tickets are soaring, especially for star-driven productions. That Denzel/Jake Othello revival? Try $900+ for a mid-orchestra seat. Sure, the shows are great—but what’s the point if only a sliver of people can afford to be in the room?

The danger here is bigger than one night. Pricing out audiences from theatre’s biggest celebrations sends a message to the next generation of artists and fans: unless you can pay, you’re not invited. And that’s the opposite of what this art form stands for.

There are solutions. Lotteries, student rush, sponsorships, tiered pricing—all models that already exist, but could be applied to the Tonys with a little effort and a lot of intention. Because whether you’re a Broadway producer or a drama teacher from Des Moines, you should have a shot at experiencing this night live.

Theatre is for everyone. It’s messy, beautiful, collaborative magic. And the Tony Awards should reflect that—not just on stage, but in the seats, too.

So yes, the performances will be dazzling, the winners deserving, and the speeches heartfelt. But $595 to be part of that moment? That’s a price that cuts out far too many people who live and breathe this industry.

And that? That’s not the Broadway I signed up for.