The 73rd Annual Tony Awards, airing last Sunday, brought diversity and inclusion to the forefront, with moving speeches by winners and presenters alike. Nominees and special guests walked the rainbow-themed red carpet, honoring the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and Pride Month with an array of hand-painted roses.
The Tony Awards made history tonight with two winners breaking barriers: Jessica Paz, the first woman to win for Best Sound Design of a Musical for her work with Hadestown, and actress Ali Stroker as the first actress who uses a wheelchair to win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!.
Broadway descends on Radio City Music Hall to celebrate this year’s performances in plays and musicals, with host James Corden. Fans crowded on the corner of 50th Street and 6th Avenue to catch a glimpse of the star-studded red carpet that was adorned with real hand-painted rainbow hued roses in honor of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.
The Tony Awards are highlighting strong plays this year.
Tony Award nominees Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban will host the 72nd Annual Tony Awards this June
Hilariously long run-on speeches. Truthful and violent bragging. Outdated references elongating award shows. Referencing other award show failures. And of course, musical numbers on musical numbers.
It was quite hot as far as viewership goes. But the temperature was up there too, we won’t deny.
Oh, and of course, stardom was on the rise. Shubert Alley had only brought out Broadway’s best. Produced by the Broadway League and hosted by United Airlines, came STARS IN THE ALLEY, a celebration of the 2016-2017 Broadway season, adding festivity to top the day in preparation for the 2017 Tony Awards.
Tituss Burgess of musical fame and known for his work on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt took the stage. And he played his part well. What followed was an example only Broadway could define. You had A Bronx Tale and Chicago and Cats and Kinky Boots. You watched intently for Aladdin, Groundhog Day The Musical, Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera, and you enjoyed it all.
The inevitable Tony Awards, the poster-child behind the event, would ring true in the hearts and minds of attendees: this was one function not to miss. It’s due to hit CBS on Sunday, June 11th.
But we digress. To the shock of no-one: there was a strong human factor behind the party. All as the culmination of theater fanatics and the mingling of voices married into wonderful cadence. Strong flavor. Strong voices. A perfect event to compliment the perfect day.
The Knockturnal talks with members of the creative team of the Tony Award-nominated musical, Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812.
Talking with the Tony-nominated actors, writers, directors, and designers about their challenges, their inspirations, and their first time on stage.
The 32nd Annual Lucille Lortel Awards were presented last evening, at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts.