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12/22/2024 10:44:14 pm

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68th Annual Tony Awards: Winners and Highlights

Hugh Jackman

(Photo : Reuters / Vincent West) Australian actor Hugh Jackman greets fans before receiving a Donostia award for his film career on the eighth day of the San Sebastian Film Festival, September 27, 2013.

The 68th Tony Awards night has given Bryan Crantson and Neil Patrick their first Tonys, and Audra McDonald her record-breaking achievement.

Broadway's biggest event featured 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' as the best musical while 'All the Way' took home the award for the best play. Each entry got four honors, according to CBS News.

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Host Hugh Jackman kicked off the awards on Sunday Night in New York with an enthusiastic entry into Radio City Music Hall. Patti Labelle, Fantasia Barrino, and Gladys Knight rendered a song from 'After Midnight' as the first presentation for the evening.

That Sunday, McDonald also broke records when she was awarded as the best lead actress for playing Billie Holiday in the play 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.' Her sixth Tony made her the biggest Tony winner in history.

'All the Way' was proclaimed the best play, with its lead actor Cranston grabbing his first Tony for his portrayal of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. Meanwhile, Harris won best lead actor in a musical honor for portraying a German transsexual in the production 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.'

The award for the best lead actress in a musical went to Jessie Mueller, who also got her first Tony, for her lead part in 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.'

Mark Rylance of 'Twelfth Night' received the night's first award and his third Tony by winning the best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play. Lena Hall won the best feature performance by an actress in a musical with her role in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.'

The directing honor for 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder' went to Darko Tresnak. Kenny Leon received his first Tony by receiving a directing honor for 'A Raisin in the Sun.'

Later in the night, 10 nominations for 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' were announced, with 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' trailing behind with eight. 'After Midnight,' 'The Glass Menagerie,' 'Twelfth Night,' and 'Beatiful - The Carole King Musical' each got seven nominations.

Some of the best performances included 'One Day More' by 'Les Miserables' cast, plus a medley from 'Aladdin.' Idina Menzel was also part of the program with her rendition of a song from musical 'If/Then.'

Jackman helped maintain the night's momentum with his participation in a version of 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)' and his rapping stints with LL Cool J and T.I. Casts of 'Rocky,' 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch,' and others also gave their own impressive performances.

The long list of presenters included Kevin Bacon, Matt Bomer, Zach Braff, Kenneth Branagh, Wayne Brady, Patricia Clarkson, Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, Fran Drescher, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Will Ferrell, Tony Goldwyn, Vera Farmiga, Anna Gunn, Maggie Gyllenhall, Carole King, Zachary Levi, Ethan Hawke, Lucy Liu, Kate Mara, Leighton Meester, Alessandro Nivola, McDonald, Zachary Quinto, Emmy Rossum, Orlando Bloom, Barrett Foa, Live Schreiber, Jonathan Groff, Samuel L. Jackson, T.I., Judith Light, Patrick Wilson, and Rosie O'Donnell.

The Tony Award winners were chosen by around 870 voters who are members of the Actors' Equity Association, the Stage Directors, the Dramatists Guild, and other associations.

Jackman ended the event by asking all the 2014 Tony awardees to join him up the stage to sing 'Lullaby of Broadway.'

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