The 78th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall got off to a rousing start, as Oprah Winfrey blessed host Cynthia Erivo with a finger hold before the “Wicked” star took center stage to sing the original “Sometimes All You Need is a Song.” With the support of a choir, Erivo tipped her hat to the nominated movie stars (lyric: “Half of Hollywood did a play”), supplied powerhouse vocals, and brought the number to crescendo by getting the audience involved, briefly handing off the mic to Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, and Adam Lambert, among others.
It was, indeed, a union of Broadway and Hollywood throughout the evening. During her opening monologue, Erivo noted that it was the most lucrative year in Broadway history (with reported ticket sales of $1.89 billion), “providing we don’t run out of cast members from ‘Succession.’”
“Succession” star Sarah Snook was actually won the first Tony of the evening. In her Broadway debut, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” Snook played 26 roles.
“It is billed as a one person show, and I don’t feel alone any night that I do this show,” Snook said in her acceptance speech, shouting out her production’s creative team.
Several of the nominated shows were, too, based off popular Hollywood films, including “Good Night, and Good Luck”, “Real Women Have Curls,” and “Death Becomes Her,” which used its cast performance to give a nod to Pride Month with the number “For the Gaze.” Several speeches paid homage to the LGBTQ+ community, as well, including Best Direction of a Musical winner Michael Arden.
“Growing up, I was called the F-word more times than I can remember, and now I’m a f*ggot with a Tony,” Arden said. “So, keep raising your voices, my friends. Keep loving and uplifting each other, standing up against intolerance any time you see it. And vote every chance you get.”
The original cast of “Hamilton” — including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Ariana DuBose, and Jonathan Groff — brought the house down with a 10th anniversary special “remix” medley.
Broadway’s sparkle was cast liberally throughout the glittery festivities, and Erivo made several well-timed “Wicked” references. She also closed the show with a goosebump-inducing, revised version of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”
But the true 11 o’clock number of the evening was the presentation of the highly anticipated Best Actress in a Musical category. Nicole Scherzinger won for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd,” triumphing over Audra McDonald’s turn as Rose in “Gypsy.” Glenn Close previously won for the same role in “Sunset Blvd.” in 1995.
“Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong. But you all have made me feel like I belong, and I have come home, at last,” Scherzinger said in her acceptance speech.
“Sunset Blvd.” also won Best Revival of a Musical. Other winners included Darren Criss, who took home his first Tony Award for “Maybe Happy Endings,” which also won Best Musical. “Purpose” won Best Play, while Best Revival of Play went to “Eureka Day.” Cole Escola won Best Actor in a Play for their celebrated performance as Mary Todd Lincoln. Jak Malone (“Operation Mincemeat”), Natalie Venetia Belcon (“Buena Vista Social Club”), Francis Jue (“Yellow Face”), and Kara Young (“Purpose”) also took home acting prizes. Harvey Fierstein was presented with an Honorary Tony Award.
Among the presenters were Ben Stiller, Lea Salonga, Jean Smart, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Sarah Paulson.
Click here for the full list of winners. The ceremony will be available to stream June 9 at Paramount + Essential.
