How to plan the perfect Tony Awards party

Read our tips for getting together the best decorations, food, music, and more to have the best, most fun bash on the biggest night of the Broadway season.

You didn't get the invite to the United Palace for the 2023 Tony Awards, but that doesn't mean you can't party like Broadway royalty. It's Tony season, so it's time to gather your bosom buddies and raise a glass of bubbly to the biggest night on Broadway. Cheer on your favorites as you watch the June 11 ceremony at 8 p.m. on CBS while enjoying themed snacks and drinks. And the award for Best Party Host goes to... you!

Learn more about the 2023 Tony nominees and how to watch the 2023 Tony Awards.

Build a pre-show playlist.

Jam to Tony-nominated scores as your guests arrive. We'd recommend a playlist of 11 o'clock numbers to kick off the night. Cue the Hadestown swinging lamps!

Put together a themed menu.

Come up with a list of Tony nominee-inspired cocktails for your guests to sip on, like Tequila Mockingbirds or Adam Screw-Drivers. But make sure you don't drink on an empty stomach. We suggest putting together a cheese plate with the following cheeses: What the Constitution Means to Brie, Ferrymanchego, Brandon Urano-Swiss, and Santino Fontina.

Decorate.

Theatre is one of the most delightfully over-the-top art forms, so don't be afraid to let your party camp it up. Put this season's playbills on prominent display on a cute clothesline and build your own step-and-repeat. Or even roll out a red carpet if you're feeling especially extra. Don't forget balloons and streamers. Think Beth Leavel and Brooks Ashmanskas building a prom and going for the most over-the-top aesthetic possible.

Prepare voting ballots.

Some people like to do Fantasy Football drafts or March Madness brackets, but in our world, the only league we care about is the Broadway League. No Tony watch party is complete without some healthy competition, so make sure you have ballots for all your guests to fill out with their predictions. Make things a little interesting by pooling together some cash, which will go to the person with the most correct predictions at the end of the night.

Play a drinking game (responsibly).

We would say take a drink every time host James Corden makes a niche musical theatre joke, but you have a liver to preserve. Start with something simple, like a Hollywood actor introducing an award by talking about how much theatre means to them. Then again, that could get dangerous too... come up with your own rules, and play at your own risk.