My 2025 Tony Awards Ballot: Best Featured Actor in A Musical
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
It’s that time again: the Tonys are around the corner, and I’m deep in ballot mode. I’m going to be discussing some of the categories with how I would vote if I was a Tony voter.
Click below on the categories I’ve already broken down:
Today, let's talk about Best Featured Actor in a Musical. This lineup is weird, wonderful, and wildly talented. Every nominee brought something unforgettable to the stage this season, and narrowing it down to one winner is borderline criminal.
Here are the nominees:
Jeb Brown in Dead Outlaw
(Photo: Matthew Muprhy)
Jeb Brown plays the Bandleader, Walter Jarrett, and turns what could’ve been a quirky narrator role into something quietly electric. He’s the thread that stitches this wild, haunting story together—deadpan, soulful, and surprisingly emotional. He’s not just telling us the tale, he’s dragging us into it. It’s a performance that hums with lived-in weariness and wit.
Brooks Ashmanskas in SMASH
Robyn Hurder and Brooks Ashmanskas in "Smash" (Photo: Paul Kolnik)
Nobody mines comedy gold like Brooks Ashmanskas. As the outrageous director, Nigel, he’s a tornado of ego, insecurity, and razor-sharp timing. Every line lands like he’s been storing it up for years. He knows this world, he knows these people, and he absolutely devours the stage. It’s hilarious, grounded, and somehow deeply human.
Danny Burstein in Gypsy
(Photo by Emilio Madrid for Broadway.com)
Danny Burstein brings soul and sorrow to Herbie in a way that hits different. He’s not just playing the guy who gets left behind—he’s filling in every crack with quiet heartbreak. While the spotlight blazes on Mama Rose, Danny’s working in shadows, slowly building a character you can’t stop thinking about. He makes Herbie matter.
Jak Malone in Operation Mincemeat
(Photo: Johann Persson)
Jak Malone is doing Olympic-level character work in Operation Mincemeat and making it look effortless. He’s bouncing between roles, accents, and physical gags like it’s all second nature. It’s total commitment with a wink. He’s magnetic, precise, and somehow pulls focus without ever pulling away from the ensemble. This performance is a masterclass in chaos.
Taylor Trensch in Floyd Collins
(Photo: Joan Marcus)
Taylor Trensch gives the kind of performance that stays with you long after the final note. There’s something so fragile and haunted about his presence, like he’s already halfway underground. His voice floats, his eyes ache, and he draws you in with this gentle intensity. It’s delicate, aching work—and completely devastating in the best way.
So, who gets my vote?
Jak Malone in Operation Mincemeat
I’d vote for Jak Malone because he’s doing the kind of shape-shifting, high-wire performance that reminds you just how thrilling theatre can be. Every character he plays is distinct, hilarious, and grounded in truth. He’s not just funny—he’s precise, fearless, and unforgettable. In a wildly original show, he’s the spark that lights it up.