The 76th Tony Awards dazzled audiences on Sunday night, transforming the United Palace in Manhattan’s Washington Heights into a theater extravaganza. Hosted by the talented Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose, the ceremony celebrated the best of Broadway, honoring outstanding plays and musicals that graced the stage between April 29, 2022, and April 27, 2023. Broadcasting on CBS and Paramount+, with a pre-show segment on Pluto TV, the event showcased remarkable talent and unforgettable moments.
This year’s awards faced a significant hurdle as the Writers Guild of America strike threatened to derail the ceremony. However, a last-minute agreement with the union ensured the show went on, albeit without a traditional script. Playwrights came to the rescue, offering their creativity to save the telecast. The absence of a custom-made opening number didn’t hinder the excitement, and writers were encouraged to pre-record their acceptance speeches, adding a unique touch to the evening.
“Kimberly Akimbo” claimed the coveted title of Best Musical, while “Leopoldstadt” took home the honor of Best Play. Making history, J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell became the first openly nonbinary actors to win in their respective categories: Best Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Jodie Comer, widely recognized for her role as an assassin on TV’s “Killing Eve,” secured her first professional stage role and a Tony Award for her outstanding performance in the one-woman show “Prima Facie.” The full list of winners left the audience buzzing with excitement.
In the realm of plays, “Leopoldstadt” emerged as the Best New Play, captivating audiences with its poignant storytelling and compelling performances. Meanwhile, the infectious energy of “Kimberly Akimbo” propelled it to victory as the Best New Musical, leaving theatergoers enthralled. Reviving the magic of past productions, “Topdog/Underdog” claimed the accolade of Best Play Revival, while the mesmerizing “Parade” won Best Musical Revival, rekindling the passion of a bygone era.
The leading roles were a highlight of the night, as talented performers left a lasting impression. Sean Hayes shone brightly, taking home the Best Leading Actor in a Play award for his remarkable performance in “Good Night, Oscar.” Jodie Comer’s versatility and stage presence earned her the well-deserved title of Best Leading Actress in a Play for her outstanding portrayal in “Prima Facie.” The musical categories showcased Victoria Clark as the Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her captivating role in “Kimberly Akimbo,” and J. Harrison Ghee stole the show with his magnetic presence, earning him the award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in “Some Like It Hot.”
Supporting roles added depth and charisma to the productions, with Brandon Uranowitz winning Best Featured Actor in a Play for his exceptional performance in “Leopoldstadt.” Miriam Silverman’s powerful portrayal in “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” secured her the title of Best Featured Actress in a Play. In the musical realm, Alex Newell’s remarkable talent in “Shucked” earned him the accolade of Best Featured Actor in a Musical, while Bonnie Milligan’s enchanting performance in “Kimberly Akimbo” landed her the honor of Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Behind the scenes, the creative masterminds were acknowledged for their visionary contributions. Patrick Marber’s skillful direction in “Leopoldstadt” earned him the title of Best Direction of a Play, while Michael Arden’s exceptional work in “Parade” won him the accolade of Best Direction of a Musical. David Lindsay-Abaire’s captivating storytelling in “Kimberly Akimbo” garnered him the honor of Best Book of a Musical, and the remarkable score of “Kimberly Akimbo,” composed by Jeanine Tesori with lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, secured the Best Original Score award.
The choreography and technical elements added depth and spectacle to the productions. Casey Nicholaw’s captivating choreography in “Some Like It Hot” earned him the title of Best Choreography, while Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter’s brilliant orchestrations in the same production won them the award for Best Orchestrations. The scenic designs that transported audiences to captivating worlds were celebrated, with Tim Hatley and Andrzej Goulding winning Best Scenic Design of a Play for “Life of Pi” and Beowulf Boritt captivating viewers with his work in “New York, New York,” securing the Best Scenic Design of a Musical award.
Costumes and visual aesthetics added an extra layer of enchantment to the performances. Brigitte Reiffenstuel’s intricate costume design in “Leopoldstadt” earned her the honor of Best Costume Design of a Play, while Gregg Barnes’ imaginative costumes in “Some Like It Hot” dazzled viewers, securing him the award for Best Costume Design of a Musical. The technical aspects of sound and lighting were also recognized, with Carolyn Downing winning Best Sound Design of a Play for “Life of Pi” and Nevin Steinberg earning the award for Best Sound Design of a Musical for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Tim Lutkin’s masterful lighting design in “Life of Pi” won him the accolade of Best Lighting Design of a Play, and Natasha Katz’s artistic touch in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” secured her the award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical.
The Tony Awards also celebrated exceptional contributions to the theater world beyond the stage. Joel Grey and John Kander received the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing their immense impact on the industry. Jerry Mitchell was honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Award, acknowledging his remarkable philanthropic efforts. The Pasadena Playhouse claimed the Regional Theater Tony Award, applauding its commitment to excellence, while Jason Zembuch Young’s dedication to theater education earned him the Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education. Additionally, Lisa Dawn Cave, Victoria Bailey, and Robert Fried were recognized with Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater, celebrating their outstanding contributions.
The 76th Tony Awards showcased the immense talent, dedication, and creativity that make Broadway an unparalleled experience. As the curtain fell on a night filled with glitz and glamour, the theatrical community reveled in the celebration of extraordinary performances and the enduring magic of live theater.
