Last evening in New York City, the best and the brightest of Broadway left the spotlights of the stage and took their seats as members of the audience. That's right, collegiettes; it was Tony time in the Big Apple.
For those who weren't born singing show-tunes, here's a quick hint: the Tony Awards are the Academy Awards of theater; both musicals and non-musicals are honored, be it for their songs, their costumes, their screenplays, or for the actors themselves. Though the number of viewers has fallen over recent years, last night's 66th Annual Tony Awards ceremony was proof that despite the rise in popularity of movies, television, and recorded music (not to mention that of media outlets like Hulu and Netflix) that provide instant-gratification entertainment, the live experience of the theater has maintained its hold over the masses. Neil Patrick Harris' adorable dance- and sing-licious self as the award show's host couldn't have hurt the ratings, either.
If you weren't able to tune in to watch - but are looking for a good show for your next Thursday night out on the town - you don't have to get angsty wishing you had a TiVo account to catch up. Check out the winners (they're the ones to watch!) instead:
Best Play: Clybourne Park
Best Musical: Once
Best Original Score: Newsies
Best Performance of a Leading Actor in a Play: James Corden - One Man, Two Guvnors
Best Performance of a Leading Actress in a Play: Nina Arlanda - Venus in Fur
Best Performance of a Leading Actor in a Musical: Steve Kazee - Once
Best Performance of a Leading Actress in a Musical: Audra McDonald - The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Best Direction of a Play: Mike Nichols - Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Best Direction of a Musical: John Tiffany - Once
Best Choreography: Christopher Gattelli - Newsies
Best Scenic Design of a Play: Donyale Werle - Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Bob Crowley - Once
Best Costume Design of a Play: Paloma Young - Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes - Follies
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Emanuel Azenberg
There you have it: the Tony Awards in two minutes! Once you finish ogling the red-carpet fashion, check out the full list of winners to plan your next night at the theater. If you ask us, Once looks like your best Broadway bet - it took home eight Tonys!
