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PEOPLE & ARTS Wednesday 12 June 2019

Tony highlights: A historic win and a strong night for women

By JOCELYN NOVECK
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — When
effervescent actress Ali
Stroker came onstage to
accept her historic trophy
as the first actor in a wheel-
chair to win a Tony, it wasn’t
just the feel-good moment
of the night. It may have
been one of the most joy-
ous Tony moments in years.
The crowd jumped to its
feet in unison as Stroker,
who won best featured ac-
tress in a musical for a sexy,
saucy performance as Ado
Annie in “Oklahoma!” ar-
rived onstage.
“This award is for every kid
who is watching tonight
who has a disability, who
has a limitation or a chal-
lenge, who has been wait-
ing to see themselves rep- Ali Stroker accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical for “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
resented in this arena,” she Oklahoma!”at the 73rd annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 9, 2019, in New York.
said. “You are.” Associated Press
The buoyant moment was a pipeline issue. It is a failure all people and finding joy legal permission. But his most successful bit
emblematic of a feel-good of imagination by a field along the way.” “I stand here as proof that may have been one the
evening at the Tonys that whose job is to imagine the Yet another veteran win- the American dream is television audience never
featured crowd-pleasing way the world could be.” ning his first Tony — at 73 alive,” he said. saw. During commercial
performances, a Broad- The acting awards brought — was André De Shields, Speaking later at the Plaza breaks, Corden implored
way-loving host in the form a slew of satisfying victories best featured actor in a Hotel after-party, Trujillo celebrities to sing karaoke.
of James Corden and a for beloved veterans. Com- musical for his silky smooth was so moved that he was The huge hit was Billy Por-
theme of inclusivity. The ic legend Elaine May, 87, narrator in “Hadestown.” reduced to tears. ter. After first protesting that
big winner: “Hadestown,” won her first Tony for play- He thanked his hometown “I have to be able to use he “wasn’t here to work to-
the soulful musical by Anais ing an Alzheimer’s-afflicted of Baltimore and offered my success as a way to in- night,” Porter, a former Tony
Mitchell based on an an- grandmother in Kenneth “three cardinal rules of my spire and effect change,” winner for “Kinky Boots,”
cient Greek myth, which tri- Lonergan’s “The Waverly sustainability and longev- he said. “This is what hap- belted his way through “Ev-
umphed over much more Gallery,” charming the ity.” “One, surround your- pens,” he said, pointing erything’s Coming Up Ros-
traditionally commercial crowd with a witty accep- self with people whose to the Tony in his hands, es” from “Gypsy,” earning
fare. tance speech. eyes light up when they “when we get the love and the crowd’s adoration.
The victory of “Hadestown” And Broadway favor- see you coming,” he said. support that we so richly Best featured actress in a
was also notable for the ites Santino Fontana and “Two, slowly is the fastest deserve.” play went to Celia Keenan-
number of women it Stephanie J. Block took the way to get to where you Bryan Cranston won his sec- Bolger for her role as Scout
brought to the podium; it top musical acting prizes. want to be. And three, the ond Tony for best actor in a in “To Kill a Mockingbird,”
was not only written by a Fontana won his first Tony top of one mountain is the play as newscaster Howard and Bertie Carvel won best
woman but also directed as the cross-dressing lead bottom of the next, so keep Beale in the inventive stage featured actor in a play for
by one, and producer in “Tootsie,” an adaptation climbing.” adaptation of the 1976 film “Ink,” about Rupert Mur-
Mara Isaacs accepted the of the 1982 Dustin Hoffman Jez Butterworth’s “The “Network.” doch.
award. Director Rachel comedy about a struggling Ferryman,” a sweeping “Finally, a straight old white Legendary designer Bob
Chavkin won her own Tony, actor who impersonates Irish family drama, was man gets a break!” he Mackie won best costume
as did Mitchell for best a woman to get cast in a crowned best play. But- joked, riffing on the eve- design for a musical for
score. In all, “Hadestown” show. terworth asked the crowd ning’s theme of inclusivity. “The Cher Show,” getting
won eight Tonys. The actor paid tribute to his to give his partner, actress He dedicated his award laughs for saying “This is
But despite a great night late grandmother, a “fiery, Laura Donnelly, a round of to real-life journalists: “The very encouraging for an
for a show that began its red-headed woman” who, applause for giving birth media is not the enemy 80-year-old.”
long, improbable journey he revealed, was an inspi- to their two children while of the people,” he said, The dark retelling of “Okla-
to Broadway as a commu- ration for his performance: appearing in the drama. in what amounted to the homa!” beat the crowd-
nity theater project in rural “Every day I get to bring Her own family tragedy in- evening’s most obvious jab pleasing, dance-heavy re-
Vermont, Chavkin echoed her into the room, and it spired him to write the play. at the Trump administra- vival of “Kiss Me, Kate” for
a note of frustration about has been the best experi- And in one of the most tion. best musical revival. “The
the persistent lack of diver- ence of my life.” poignant moments of the Corden, in his second stint Boys in the Band” won best
sity on creative teams. Block earned her own first night, Sergio Trujillo won as host, scored audience play revival.
“I wish I wasn’t the only Tony for playing a real-life the choreography prize for points with his obvious af- The awards cap a strong
woman directing a musi- legend — Cher. In an ebul- “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life fection for Broadway. season for Broadway, with
cal on Broadway this sea- lient speech, she told her and Times of the Tempta- Among his amusing bits was a reported record $1.8 bil-
son,” she said. “There are young daughter: “Mommy tions,” thanking his Colom- a tongue-in-cheek attempt lion in sales, up 7.8% from
so many women who are won a trophy but like I al- bian family. to raise ratings by trying last season. Attendance
ready to go. There are so ways tell you, it’s not about He said in his speech that to provoke a Nicki Minaj- was 14.8 million — up 7.1%
many artists of color who winning; it’s about showing he arrived in New York over Cardi B-style beef between — and has risen steadily for
are ready to go. ... This is not up, doing your best, loving three decades ago without Broadway figures. decades.q