Broadway Breakdown: Episode Summary – "2025 Tonys: Predictions and Personal Picks w/ Sam Eckmann"

Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik teams up with returning guest Sam Eckmann to delve into their predictions and personal favorites for the 2025 Tony Awards. With Tony season nearing its end, the conversation is both timely and filled with Koplik’s characteristic passion and candid commentary.

Tony Season Overview

Matt opens the episode by acknowledging the nearing close of Tony season, highlighting the excitement and unpredictability due to the lack of clear frontrunners this year.

Matt Koplik [00:44]: "Tony season is finally coming to a close. The final ceremony will be on June 8th this coming Sunday. We are releasing this episode on Thursday. That's June 5th."

He introduces Sam Eckmann, affectionately referred to as "Friend of the Pod," and hints at personal challenges they've navigated together, setting a candid and relatable tone for the episode.

Sound Design of a Play and Musical

The discussion begins with the Sound Design category for both plays and musicals, a niche yet highly specialized area judged by industry professionals.

Rob W. Schneider [04:32]: "It's better in terms of their peers are truly deciding. You know, educated peers are deciding these. But it makes it much harder to predict sound design because it's, you know, it's such a small pool of people who the hell knows what they're going to choose."

Koplik expresses his initial surprise at "Sweeney Todd" winning sound design last year, noting discrepancies between expectations and the actual outcome.

Matt Koplik [04:18]: "I kind of threw my shoe at the TV when Sweeney Todd won sound design of a musical. It made no sense to me."

The pair weighs nominees like Stranger Things and Picture of Dorian Gray, debating the merits and challenges each show presents in sound design.

Rob W. Schneider [06:21]: "I feel like Stranger Things is pretty locked here."

However, Koplik remains uncertain, considering the intricate sound elements in Picture of Dorian Gray.

Sound Design of a Musical

Transitioning to the Sound Design of a Musical category, the conversation focuses on nominees such as Buena Vista Social Club, Sunset Boulevard, Just In Time, Happy Ending, and Floyd Collins.

Matt Koplik [09:32]: "I am going with Sunset Boulevard."

Rob W. Schneider [10:07]: "So I'm predicting Sunset Boulevard. I think the sound is just Like a really memorable aspect of that."

Both predict Sunset Boulevard as a strong contender, citing its intense and crisp sound design. They acknowledge the potential for upsets, especially with productions like Happy Ending showcasing innovative sound elements.

Lighting Design of a Musical

In the Lighting Design category, nominees include Sunset Boulevard, Buena Vista Social Club, Happy Ending, Floyd Collins, and Death Becomes Her.

Matt Koplik [14:29]: "I'm going to pick Sunset Boulevard on this one as well."

Rob W. Schneider [14:37]: "I am also going with Sunset Boulevard."

Both hosts favor Sunset Boulevard for its impactful lighting, essential in a production with minimal set design. They discuss the challenges and strengths of other nominees but remain confident in their prediction.

Scenic Design of a Musical

Discussing Scenic Design, the nominees are Happy Ending, Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Just In Time, and Floyd Collins.

Matt Koplik [15:33]: "I am going with maybe Happy Ending."

Rob W. Schneider [16:08]: "I just think maybe happy ending is kind of ingenious the way it."

Happy Ending emerges as the favorite due to its ingenious scenic design that balances spectacle with simplicity, making it a frontrunner for a category win.

Orchestrations

In the Orchestrations category, the discussion centers around Happy Ending, Floyd Collins, Sunset Boulevard, Buena Vista Social Club, Just In Time, and Old Friends.

Rob W. Schneider [35:29]: "I will go with Buena Vista Social Club."

Matt Koplik [37:05]: "I'm gonna go with just in time."

The hosts express uncertainty, acknowledging the difficulty in predicting orchestrations due to the specialized voting pool. Buena Vista Social Club and Just In Time are considered strong contenders, each with unique orchestral elements.

Choreography

For the Choreography category, nominees include Josh Burgas for Buena Vista Social Club, Camille A. Brown for Gypsy, Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck for Buena Vista Social Club, Chris Catelli for Death Becomes Her, and Jerry Mitchell for BOOP.

Matt Koplik [40:42]: "I would say you never bet against Justin Peck at the Tonys anymore."

Rob W. Schneider [41:26]: "I am going with Buena Vista Social Club."

Justin Peck is highly favored for his choreography, with both hosts acknowledging his consistent track record at the Tonys. Buena Vista Social Club is also viewed as a frontrunner due to its cohesive and vibrant dance numbers.

Directing

The Directing categories for both plays and musicals are briefly touched upon, with directors like Sam Pinkleton for Oh, Mary, Kip Williams for Picture of Dorian Gray, and Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard mentioned.

Rob W. Schneider [59:33]: "I am going with Sam Pinkleton all the way."

Matt Koplik [62:35]: "I am predicting Michael Arden."

While both hosts acknowledge the strong contenders, their predictions vary slightly, reflecting the subjective nature of directing awards.

Acting Categories

Best Featured Actress in a Play

The nominees are Tala Ash (English), Jessica Hecht (Eureka Day), Marja Nichette (English), Finestrasa (John Proctor is the Villain), and Kara Young (Purpose).

Matt Koplik [71:36]: "I'm predicting...it's currently still my vote."

Rob W. Schneider [77:38]: "I think Finestrasa...has a good shot."

This category is noted for its competitiveness, with both hosts highlighting strong performances that make case for multiple nominees.

Best Lead Actress in a Musical

Nominees include Audra McDonald (Gypsy), Jasmine (presumably a character from BOOP), Amy Rogers (BOOP), Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Boulevard), Jennifer Simard (Death Becomes Her), among others.

Rob W. Schneider [121:14]: "I would personally vote for Audra McDonald in Gypsy."

Matt Koplik [122:22]: "She's such a force and such a delight.... I think that will do it for people."

Audra McDonald is a strong favorite, praised for her transformative performance and emotional depth.

Revival Categories

Revival of a Play

Nominees include Eureka Day, Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, and Yellowface.

Matt Koplik [89:27]: "I'm going to say Yellowface."

Rob W. Schneider [90:05]: "I think Yellowface is going to win by quite a landslide."

Both hosts predict Yellowface as the revival winner, citing its timely themes and impactful storytelling.

Revival of a Musical

The competition features Floyd Collins, Gypsy Pirates, Penzance, and Sunset Boulevard.

Matt Koplik [93:40]: "I'm gonna go with my gut again and say Sunset."

Rob W. Schneider [95:17]: "I am also predicting Sunset Boulevard."

Sunset Boulevard is unanimously favored for its innovative direction and compelling production values.

Conclusion

As Tony Awards day approaches, Matt Koplik and Sam Eckmann provide insightful and passionate predictions across various categories, highlighting standout performances and technical achievements. Their candid discussions offer listeners a deep dive into the strengths and potential upsets of the season's nominees, making this episode a must-listen for theater enthusiasts eager to engage with Tony season's final stretch.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Koplik [00:45]:

  "Tony season is finally coming to a close. The final ceremony will be on June 8th this coming Sunday."

• Rob W. Schneider [04:32]:

  "It's better in terms of their peers are truly deciding... it makes it much harder to predict sound design because it's, you know, it's such a small pool of people who the hell knows what they're going to choose."

• Rob W. Schneider [14:37]:

  "I am also going with Sunset Boulevard."

• Matt Koplik [35:29]:

  "I'm going with happy ending."

• Rob W. Schneider [41:26]:

  "I am going with Buena Vista Social Club."

• Matt Koplik [71:36]:

  "I'm predicting...it's currently still my vote."

• Rob W. Schneider [121:14]:

  "I would personally vote for Audra McDonald in Gypsy."

• Rob W. Schneider [95:17]:

  "I am also predicting Sunset Boulevard."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the dynamic and in-depth analysis provided by Matt Koplik and Sam Eckmann, offering listeners a clear roadmap of the Tony Awards landscape as they approach the final voting rounds.