It was all about “Hadestown” at the 73rd annual Tony Awards. The musical that went in with 14 nominations came out with eight wins – including Best Musical. Meanwhile, Best Play went to Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman.”
Here are some highlights:
James Corden was thoroughly charming in his second turn as host. He opened with a number that compared TV vs. Broadway. He talked about bathroom breaks – a recurring theme throughout the show. The first one featured Bryan Cranston going on a break during the opening number. He also had one that featured Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, and Neil Patrick Harris.
Corden decided that one way to bring up the ratings of the show was to start drama. He ended up inciting a “fight” between Laura Linney and Audra McDonald, which was hilarious.
The casts of “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Hadestown,” The Cher Show,” and “Oklahoma” – among others – performed on the show along with Cynthia Ervio, who was on hand to pay tribute to the people who’d passed on during the year.
Ali Stroker made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to win a Tony Award. In her acceptance speech, she called for more diversity for women and people of color. She was honored in the Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in “Oklahoma!” When Bryan Cranston accepted his award for Leading Actor in a Play for “Network,” he said, “Finally a straight old white man gets a break!”
Other history-making moments included Rachel Chavkin winning Best Director of a Musical for “Hadestown” as the only nominated woman and first time honors for Elaine May, Andre DeShields, and Stephanie J. Block for “The Waverly Gallery,” “Hadestown,” and “The Cher Show,” respectively.
Source: Tony Awards