The Outsiders Surprises: The final award of the night went to “The Outsiders,” an energetic adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s beloved YA book and later movie. Directed by Danya Taymor, it caught everyone off guard, especially considering the strong competition from other musicals like Hell’s Kitchen and Suffs
- Dull Moments: Despite great performances, the overall show felt a bit lackluster. Many speeches were mere thank-yous, and even the normally sparkling host Ariana DeBose couldn’t inject much excitement. Perhaps they should revisit last year’s script-less approach due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
- Politics in the Spotlight: This theater season featured political shows like Suffs, Enemy of the People, and Patriots. On the Tony stage, presenters and winners encouraged voting and talked about “making change.” However, specifics were scarce, with no candidate names or direct calls to action.
- Celebrities Galore: Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, and Brooke Shields graced the event as presenters. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed their anthem “Empire State of Mind” from Hell’s Kitchen, adding star power to the evening.
- EGOT Milestone: Sarah Paulson’s win for best leading actress in a play marked her halfway point to EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Her talent and achievement were a highlight of the awards night
In summary, while the 77th annual Tony Awards had its moments, the unexpected triumph of The Outsiders and the star-studded presence left a lasting impression on Broadway enthusiasts. Excitement, politics, and celebrity glitz made for a memorable evening
