Follow along as we add winners and pick up quotes live from backstage at the Tony Awards.
Credit: T. Michelle Murphy, Metro
Metro’s theater critic reports on the winners live at the Tony Awards Media Room.
Here’s where we are so far (compare it to our earlier predictions and Critic’s Picks).
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night
“The audience here was a bit more like the audience in the Globe – expressive, enthusiastic and thoughtful.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Lena Hall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“I studied my boyfriend a lot. … It was helpful for me to study men, in life. It was what inspired me the most. I also watched some Marlon Brando. I love how mysterious he was in his films.” On her inspiration for cross-dressing as Yitzhak
“For the longest time I felt alone in the world. When I was watching ‘My Little Pony – Friendship Is Magic’ I realized how important all these people around me were … and to be more grateful for who they were and what they meant in my life. And I found a lot more happiness in my life.” On her Tony Awards acceptance speech reference
Best Book of a Musical
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
Robert L. Freedman
Best Direction of a Musical
Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
Best Direction of a Pla
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
“The production was well-deserving. The cast was anchored by Denzel Washington. I’m graetful to bring a diverse cast to Broadway.”
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
The Bridges of Madison County
Music & Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
“The politics of nomination never means everything to me. Hard shows don’t always get recognized. … I know it’s good and look, now I have proof. I’m going home with two Tony Awards tonight.” (On not getting a nod for Best Musical)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
James Monroe Iglehart, Aladdin
“What are we doing afterward? We’re going to McDonald’s. It keeps us grounded, it keeps us humble. It’s a tradition with my wife. … We take it in the car and take it home and kick it with our cats.” On post-Tony Awards plans
“Work hard, be nice to people, listen to the actors older than you. … You never know, this might happen.” On lessons for kids interested in acting
Best Choreography
Warren Carlyle, After Midnight
“I found one of our dancers on the C train.” On nine months of auditions to pull together the ensemble
“How great to do a sort of homage to Bobby Van and to that movie, and the song seemed completely appropriate – bringing families at home inside and to the stage. … The bouncing is a joyous kind of thing and Hugh is a joyous kind of guy. It’s one continuous shot – Hugh really did bounce for four minutes.” On choreographing the opening number to the Tony Awards
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in the Sun
“Kenny Leon wanted all the actors to tell the truth – no tricks. Make it simple, make it true. He let us be really free in rehearsal. That’s brave for a director. He keeps digging and digging.”
“We had Denzel Washington, so that sold our show from Day One.”
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Linda Cho, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
“This is my wedding gown from 2007 repurposed. Yes, mama did not wear white.”
Best Costume Design of a Play
Tiramani, Twelfth Night
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
“I took my shoes off!” First utterance upon strolling into the Media Room barefoot
“I’m grateful I’m at a place in history I don’t have to deal with the racism … like Billie Holiday [did]. Because of their fight, I have the opportunities they were not afforded, so I have to be grateful to [the women who came before me].” On her place in history with her record-breaking sixth Tony Award
Best Sound Design of a Play
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Brian Ronan, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Bryan Cranston, All the Way
“[Theater] is a drug. … It’s stronger than blue crystal meth.”
“How do I feel at this point in my career? Like I stole something. I did not have any formal training in the arts. … The thing that’s universal about this is that every adult is seeking something that empowers them – whether it’s their church or their children or performing or charity work – whatever it is, and I stumbled upon it, and I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
Best Play
All The Way
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“You’re so uninterested in [me]. Look at your faces fall.” On press questions for members of tech
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Natasha Katz, The Glass Menagerie
“The room goes pretty quiet with a lighting designer walks in.” On press questions for members of tech
Best Revival of a Play
A Raisin in the Sun
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Best Revival of a Musical
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Producers: David Binder, Jayne Baron Sherman, Barbara Whitman, Latitude Link, Patrick Catullo, Raise the Roof, Paula Marie Black, Colin Callender, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Martian Entertainment, Stacey Mindich, Eric Schnall, The Shubert Organization
Best Orchestrations
Jason Robert Brown, The Bridges of Madison County
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Jessie Mueller, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Best Musical
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
