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At the 78th Tony Awards, which took place on June 8, 2025, Sara Bareilles and Cynthia Erivo led the “In Memoriam” segment. While they sang “Tomorrow” from Annie, pictures of those from the theatre community who died in the previous year were displayed on screen.
As soon as an image of Gavin Creel, Sara’s close friend, came up, she stopped singing and cried. After that, the television program ran a commercial break, which was followed by her and Erivo going back to the event to finish recognizing the people who had passed away.
The tribute remembered Gavin Creel and other community members
At the memorial, many people, such as George Wendt, James Earl Jones, Maggie Smith, and Mitzi Gaynor, were commemorated. The family and friends of Gavin Creel, Sara Bareilles’ close friend, were also present to remember and celebrate him. Creel's photograph elicited an emotional reaction from Bareilles, given their previous collaboration, admiration, and friendship.
Cynthia Erivo offered a gesture of care towards Sara Bareilles
Noticing Sara Bareilles' distress, Cynthia Erivo quietly reached out from her seat in the front row. Erivo gave a gentle nod and a reassuring smile to Bareilles. This small act of support made Bareilles aware she was not alone onstage.
In live theater, such unplanned moments of empathy can be as meaningful as any award or performance. Erivo’s gesture highlighted the close bonds among performers within the Broadway community.
The audience responded with respect
Once the broadcast returned, Sara Bareilles and Erivo completed their song. Rather than the usual burst of cheers, the audience offered a soft, respectful round of applause.
Many viewers noted that this quieter reaction matched the mood of the evening. In a ceremony known for showy musical numbers and grand speeches, this pause allowed everyone to share in a moment of genuine feeling.
Other moments from the 2025 Tony Awards
Besides the section ‘In Memoriam’ tribute, performances were given from Maybe Happy Ending, winner of Best Musical, and Sunset Boulevard, for which Nicole Scherzinger received the award for Best Actress in a musical.
Some of the performers at the awards were Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Samuel L. Jackson. People could watch the event live on CBS or through a stream on Paramount+.
An unscripted display of friendship and grief
Live events evoke unexpected emotions in the moment, and Sara Bareilles’s reaction exhibits how easily and quickly a controlled performance can develop into something very personal. Though she did not issue a public statement after the broadcast, media reports noted the depth of her feelings after watching her friend being honored and acknowledged.
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Cynthia Erivo’s quiet support highlighted the close ties among performers and the compassion at the heart of live theater. In that single, unscripted moment, the 2025 Tonys underscored how shared grief and friendship can resonate as powerfully as any rehearsed number.
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