The Tony Awards made history on Sunday as Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee became the first nonbinary individuals to win Tonys for acting. The Broadway community seized the moment amid a Hollywood writers’ strike that left theater’s biggest night without a script. Ghee, who stars in the adaptation of the classic cross-dressing comedy film “Some Like It Hot,” won Leading Actor in a Musical. Soulful performances and his portrayal of a Chicago musician that transforms into a woman amazed the audience. Similarly, Newell, who plays Lulu in “Shucked,” an independent, whiskey distiller impressed viewers with their signature number “Independently Owned” and was awarded the Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Surprising audiences with their talents, both Newell and Ghee received standing ovations.
Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt,” which explores Jewish identity with an intergenerational story, won Best Play, and the playwright now has five Tony Awards for his works. He humorously joked about progressively devaluing playwrights in the food chain despite being the sharp end of the inverted pyramid.
Host Ariana DeBose showed up for the night, despite the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike that left the event script-less. Many winners demonstrated solidarity with the striking writers, either at the podium or on the red carpet with pins. Miriam Silverman, who won Best Featured Actress in a Play for “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window,” stated that she supports “labor organizers” for allowing a compromise. Jennifer Grey handed her father, “Cabaret” star Joel Grey, the other Lifetime Achievement Tony –
Director Jerry Mitchell won the Isabelle Stevenson Award in recognition of his dedication and contributions to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. And lastly, “Parade,” a musical love story set against the real backdrop of a murder and lynching in Georgia won Best Musical Revival. Michael Arden won the award for Best Director of a musical, and in his speech, he mentioned the core of antisemitism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, and the intolerance of any kind. Will Swenson led the audience in a vigorous rendition of “Sweet Caroline.” The event took place in the United Palace Theater in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
