Ariana DeBose ends her third stint as Tonys host alongside Mike Shedd. In a different way, ending the night’s ritual presented a primal life for the whole thing, and indeed for everyone. All 8 winners in the performance categories took home their first trophies. (How is it possible this is Jonathan Groff’s first win?) Playwright David Adjmi, in his Broadway debut, won the award for “Stereophonic,” as did its director Daniel Aukin, also a Tony-winning amateur. Denia Taymor won the award for Best Possible Path of Music for “The Outsiders”, her initial win. (“The Outsiders” also won best musical.) In a sweet, fair night, awards alternated between “Stereophonic,” “The Outsiders,” “Appropriate” and a creative presentation with most of the nominated productions. “Merrily We Roll Again” Sporting House reimagines government awards. The ups and downs are listed below — and wait, is that Jay-Z on the stairs? -Of culture.
Now he hangs on display
The producers and directors were the same, but so much about this year’s broadcast was a huge evolution from previous years. The pace was fast: the primary broadcast ended on life and the pre-broadcast ended quickly. The discussion was extra dignified: no brainless chatter or pretentious introductions. The changes were seamless: equipment was modified, the digital camera was present, life was preserved and we were shown how theater really works. And the investors who flocked to the stage when their presentations received awards – not the good looks, but the illness of the visitors – were captured in another universe and broadcast via video. All this allowed the performance to escape the opportunity for thoughtfulness and giddiness, and to have better entertainment in a combination of the two. For the first time in a long life, Broadway on TV felt like I knew it. jesse green
The Neil Patrick Harris years set an impressive bar for broadcast Tony opening numbers, and this year’s effort, a strained variety-show knockoff that already promised “this party is for you,” ends the drought. could not do. The Tonys might have started better with “Empire State of Mind” from “Hell’s Kitchen” — the highest-wattage (if partially canned) performance of the night, featuring Alicia Keys and Jay-Z. Or, even better, if not bolder: “Willkommen” from “Cabaret,” once expertly staged for the camera and drenched in the strange aura of Eddie Redmayne. Scott Heller
the third is the charm of life
Cara Young, an understated performer of supersized talent, has been nominated for a Tony three years in a row — for “Clydes” in 2022, “Cost of Living” in 2023 and this year for “Purley Victorious.” She won a special actress award for that final film, including her irreverent role as lusty belle Gussie Mae Jenkins, a schemer with a center made of gold. In his acceptance speech, Younger celebrated Lutiebele as a personality who takes a chance on the day and wins. “She deserved it,” Young said. “And we all do.” alexis solosky
unusual style
Brooke Shields dressed the bar top when she strutted down the pink carpet outside Lincoln Center in a sparkly dress and a matching pair of rubber duck-yellow Crocs. (“Pictures of feet about to be leveled… double foot toe surgery,” she posted on Instagram the other day.) Next up was playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, winner of “Appropriate,” in Cicada brooch attached. Were rocking. , possibly a nod to the creepy-crawly motifs of most manufactures. And one can’t ignore Hillary Clinton, who wore a pink pantsuit? No: She chose a white and gold kaftan to introduce a performance to the “Suffs” cast (Clinton is one of the show’s producers). all out
Know the Room, Show the Room
They generally put the theater nation in front of a living target market. Desire Play games in the room. They are constructed that way. However, the cameras at Tony’s seemed strangely unprepared for this. In a society fully prepared to single out performing stars, if anyone on stage discussed them, they appeared to be ignorant of other notable artists who were praised. When Jeremy Sturdee, who was named Best Actor for “An Enemy of the People,” addressed the show’s director, Sam Gould, and adapter, Amy Herzog, in his acceptance speech, it took a moment for them to turn on a digital camera. It took many years. When actor Will Brill asked six of his “stereophonic” classmates to come to the target market, we somehow ended up seeing just four. And when choreographer Justin Peck thanked playwright Jackie Sibleys Drury, his collaborator on “Illinois,” there was a time the errant reflexive digital camera went to him. It came across as clumsy. What’s worse is that there seemed to be a lack of knowledge about theatre, which is pretty much all there is to the nation in a room – and, as an insider game, which Tony is through and through, this. About knowing who is there. Laura Collins-Hughes
Holy See!
Holiday awards ceremonies typically don’t exist for well-written speeches. However during the pre-broadcast portion of the show, three wise showmen gave meaningful and inspiring talks about their calling. First, director George C. Wolfe explained seeing art independently through identity politics, saying that he learned from his parents that it is bad to respect one’s birth culture and fail to connect with others. Not there. Later, director Jack O’Brien tells his fellow theater makers that creating artwork is a dry road but a decision: “Did it ever occur to you that no one told us to do this?” And Billy Porter ended his talk like a preacher, finding the best phrase for theater’s ability to keep the business together in a favorite Bible verse: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear,” he said, “But of strength, and of love, and of sound mind.” jesse green
A ‘Fun’ Revival That Should Be Constantly Remembered
In a season that was jam-packed with openings, it was a challenge to catch the whole thing in even one sitting. Although sometimes a show sticks with you so deeply that you end up watching it exactly… five times. (And, let’s be fair, count.) That performance for me this year was “Merrily We Roll Along,” and the cast’s emotional performance of “Old Friends” during the broadcast provided a beautiful reminder that kept me coming back. Helped: Notable praise among Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez, and Stephen Sondheim’s moderately rich ratings, revived with such assistance. Nancy Coleman
From downtown to downtown
Honoring the best of Broadway, the Tonys supported playwrights and directors who came from the Week of Broadway. The winner of “Stereophonic,” playwright David Adjmi, has spent years creating bold, fearless work in the city, exactly the kind of plays that “Stereophonic” director Daniel Aukin embraced as creative director of Soho rep Brandon Jacobs. -Jenkins, writer of “Appropriate,” which won for best possible revival, got her start in Folk Theatre’s emerging writer team, for example Danya Taymor, winner for “The Outsiders,” downplayed the impact of her directing on Flea. Did. It feels good to stare down the country heroes who walk to such a high standard and it’s such a joy to remember them. alexis solosky
paper route
Nothing triggers anxiety among awards-show viewers like a winner’s handbag or a half-folded, hand groping the breast area for a sloppy accent. It seemed like it would happen over and over again at night, but instead of bumbling place-searches and awkward squinting, it gave award winners like Jonathan Groff, Sarah Paulson, and Maleeha Joi Moon fantastically crafted, heartfelt comments. Provided an opportunity to read. Confidence (Footnote: Smartphone readers like Billy Porter and Keshia Lewis also overdid it.) Scott Heller
There is not much past by any means conceivable
When Keshia Lewis won the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, she was smiling: Her win spans a 40-year career, which began with her Broadway debut (in its 18th week) in the musical “Dreamgirls.” Lewis received the award for playing an inspirational piano trainer in the Alicia Keys musical, “Hell’s Kitchen”, in which she sang a showboating song, “Perfect Way to Die”, about police brutality and racism against the Dem Nation in the United States. ” Closer Feature I Sings. On Sunday night, while her phone was bombarded with congratulatory messages (“People, stop texting me!” she said), she turned her pronouncement into some poignant advice: “I say to anyone who listens to my voice You can, don’t lose courage.” all out
