The awards ceremony celebrated Broadway’s brightest performers and storytellers.
For the first time in the ceremony’s history, this year’s Tony Awards took place at Lincoln Center in New York City. Oscar winner Ariana DeBose hosted the event for the third year in a row.
From musical performances to outstanding winners, here are the highlights from the 77th Tony Awards.
READ ALSO: Setting The Stage: 5 Broadway Musicals To Look Forward To This 2024
New York City Anthem
The first performance of the show was a medley of tracks from Hell’s Kitchen, Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical jukebox musical. For “Empire State of Mind,” Keys played the piano and sang with Maleah Joi Moon, who won an award for her role in the musical later in the night.
Keys then brought out Grammy-winning rapper Jay-Z for his verse in the 2009 hit song. In a red carpet interview, the singer mentioned that this was her first time at the Tonys and that it felt like a “full-circle” moment for her.
Mother-Daughter Duo
Angelina Jolie took home her first Tony Award with her daughter Vivienne. Thanks to the 15-year-old’s encouragement, Jolie saw a staging of The Outsiders which led her to produce the Broadway version.
Both mother and daughter provided their notes on the production. According to director Danya Taymor, Jolie was often present to provide support and feedback. Both Angelina and Vivienne Jolie went up on stage with the rest of the company to accept the award for Best Musical.
Heartwarming Cast
Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe have become quite a tight-knit trio on the stage of Merrily We Roll Along. At the awards ceremony, they performed Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends,” delighting the crowd with their shared chemistry.
Later in the night, Radcliffe and Groff both won their first Tony Awards. “Speaking of missing things, Jonathan, Lindsay, I will miss you so much. I don’t really have to act in this show, I just have to look at you and feel everything I want to feel. I will never have it this good again,” Radcliffe said in his acceptance speech.
Before Groff went up on stage to receive his Best Actor award, Radcliffe ran to him and the two shared a tight hug. Groff called his two co-stars “more than just old friends” in his speech. “You are soulmates and I’m looking forward to watching each other change for the rest of our lives.”
Emotional and Zany Performances
Illinoise, based on Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album, took home the Tony Award for Best Choreography. The cast performed a heart-wrenching version of “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!”
Meanwhile, Eddie Redmayne made waves as Emcee in Cabaret. The company performed “Wilkommen” as Redmayne contorted onstage. Critics have called his performance “mesmerizing,” “seductive,” and even “creepy.”
Outstanding Debut
Maleah Joi Moon, who plays Ali in Hell’s Kitchen, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. The newcomer beat out Broadway veterans in her category, which came as a surprise even to her as this was her first professional production.
“Hell’s Kitchen is about a 17-year-old on the cusp of a dream. I can’t imagine how many dreams deferred, how many sacrifices each of you made to give me the life that I have today,” Moon said in her acceptance speech, addressing her parents.
“So tonight, all I hope is that you just get to celebrate. Because this is for you and we did this together. I love you more than words, thank you.”
Banner image via Instagram @thetonyawards.
