New York, NY – The 77th Annual Tony Awards took place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, with the talented Ariana DeBose hosting the event for the third consecutive year. Celebrating the best of Broadway, the award show honored outstanding performances in both plays and musicals, highlighting the diversity and excellence of the theater community.
David Adjmi’s play “Stereophonic” made history by receiving the most Tony nominations ever, with a total of 13 nominations. The play, which follows a ’70s rock band recording its second album, won the Tony for Best Play and went on to scoop up five awards in total, including Scenic Design of a Play, Sound Design of a Play, Direction of a Play, and Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.
“The Outsiders,” a new musical based on the S.E. Hinton novel and the Francis Ford Coppola film, took home the prize for Best Musical. This musical, delving into the lives of Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their chosen family of “outsiders,” also received four Tonys, including Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical.
One of the highlights of the evening was the revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” receiving the award for Best Revival of a Musical. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Appropriate” was recognized as the Best Revival of a Play, despite never being seen on Broadway before, marking a significant achievement.
Shaina Taub, a multi-talented artist, took home two Tonys for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical for “Suffs,” a new musical celebrating women’s fight for the right to vote. Maleah Joi Moon was awarded Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her debut in “Hell’s Kitchen,” while Jonathan Groff won the Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role in the “Merrily” revival.
The evening was also filled with memorable performances and tributes, including a powerful rendition of Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” by the Grammy winner herself. The event showcased the immense talent and dedication of Broadway performers, directors, and creatives, underscoring the importance of live theater in the entertainment industry.
Overall, the 77th Annual Tony Awards were a celebration of excellence in the Broadway community, recognizing outstanding achievements in both plays and musicals. The event not only highlighted the incredible talent of performers but also underscored the resilience and creativity of the theater industry, even in the face of challenges.