Charles Isherwood, a theater critic for The Times, and Eric Grode, a writer and critic for The Times, live-blogged the 68th annual Tony Awards.
Visit The Times's Tony Awards special section for complete coverage of the honors.
11:12 P.M. That's a Wrap
Well, Eric, what lessons do we take away? The show seems to get even more stuffed with not-always-well-staged musical numbers every year. Still, I'm glad "Gentleman's Guide" won, and it's nice that no one show ran away with everything.
Yeah, I find myself trusting the years more when the awards are spread around – it feels like less of a groupthink mentality. And the ones that did do relatively well — "Gent's Guide," "Raisin," "Hedwig" — are deserving ones. But this mania for including shows that don't even exist yet is absurd, especially since a show about a major musical figure (Tupac) is in previews right now but was totally ignored. Do you think any moments here will live on? Bouncing Hugh? Jessie and Carole? Audra's record-setting sixth?
I don't think this was one of the more memorable telecasts, frankly. Hugh was not in top form, but he didn't seem to have great material, aside from serenading the ladies. And not one of the greatest seasons either. Yes, Audra made history, but that was widely predicted. But I agree the Tonys have set an unfortunate precedent by including numbers from "future" Broadway shows. Perhaps that's the most memorable — and ominous — aspect of the show this year.
Yeah, maybe N.P.H. set the hosting bar higher than I realized. The choreography award for "After Midnight" is the only one for a show that transferred from Off Broadway." Not to harp on this Signature award (I really like the Signature!), but the timing is odd. Still, I can't find fault with too many prizes, and that's pretty rare. Anyway, it was a pleasure "watching" with you. Now take Jessie's advice and go get a drink!
Well, "Gentlemen's Guide" started at regional theaters — pretty far Off Broadway. Thanks, Eric, glad you joined us this year. And yes, I think I'll have some port, perhaps, in honor of "Gentlemen's Guide." Seems appropriate, no? Cheers.
11:03 P.M. 'Gentleman's Guide' Wins Best Musical
Hip hip hooray. For once quality trumps $. This is quite gratifying.
Holy "Avenue Q"! Bryce Pinkham looks so happy up there!
It's nice that Steven Lutvak — who deserved the score award — got a shout-out, at least. I hope he checks his blood pressure. Still, a nice speech.
I was thinking the exact same thing. What a way to go, though! Hey, another number! No more rap, though, thank goodness. (And I say that as a former editor of XXL.)
I guess it's nice to have all the winners onstage, but does that include the dozens of producers for the winning shows?
Hmmm . . . another round for just the winners up there feels a tad smug, though? Oh dear — he's bouncing again. They all are. Well, many are.
Yes, there's lots of bouncing. I'll see bouncing in my sleep.
10:51 P.M. Jessie Mueller Is Best Actress in a Musical
So are we led to believe that Hugh Jackman is singing during the entire commercial breaks?
I would bet he did. A trouper. I'm liking his singing the nominees. Though it's a bit random. Why not do them all, Hugh? While hopping up and down.
However, it's a little sadistic to ask these women to be good sports while they're waiting for career-making news.
You're right but at least it's distracting them. He almost couldn't find poor Kelli.
Bless her heart, she doesn't know about Ashley Madison.
I don't either. Bless my heart.
Indeed.
I'm delighted for Jessie Mueller. She's so talented. Pity about the show — which will probably win anyway.
You really think so? I still think your "Gentleman's Guide" (which I also like) has a puncher's chance. "Realistic Joneses" I'm not so sure about.
Well Tonys trend commercial. Almost always. But we'll see. This is quite an epic speech.
But I have a hard time imagining this show touring — i.e., without Jessie. "Everyone wants a drink, so . . . thank you." Hear hear! Oops — not so fast! All right, beat it, kids. Jennifer's got some notes to hit.
This sounds like that song from "The Last Ship." But with belting. And it's pretty scandalous that these two shows get airtime. And as we pass 11 p.m. I bet CBS isn't too happy either.
Is it possible to return tickets to a show that doesn't exist yet?
10:39 P.M. 'Hedwig' is Best Musical Revival
Hugh Jackman's jokes are pretty feeble. This fake-buttocks thing . . .
Yeah, it feels a bit like the musical numbers took up a little too much bandwidth. I kind of wish John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask got to speak — it's not like they had a chance when it was a new musical — but hooray for "Hedwig."
I am equally scandalized — couldn't the producer have given them 45 of the 90 seconds? — and I love the show. But I think "Violet" deserved the award.
Yeah, you could certainly make that case. Meanwhile, the tap dancing in this "Bullets Over Broadway" number is drowning out the sound of Frank Loesser rolling in his grave. P.O.Y.C.C.: 2.
Negative 2. And that was considered one of the highlights. Bring on Jennifer Hudson for God's sake and let's get this over with.
10:28 P.M. A Song From 'Beautiful'
Only three awards left to give out in 35 minutes. How hard can this be?
Well, Jennifer Hudson — courtesy of Harvey Weinstein — may have 20 of those minutes. Who knows?
I think "Beautiful" is about to refute our always-more theory and score a fantastic P.O.Y.C.C. score.
No, here come the Shirelles. But I agree that Jessie Mueller was gorgeous in every way. And it still gets a high score: 9, I'd say.
9 it is. Oops, 9 it was. Jessie and Carole may have pushed us into double digits.
But dragging everyone on is a bit cheesy. Still, yes, it's going to come out the big winner, ticket-selling-wise. But I hope people don't think Carole King is in the show. Last I checked she wasn't.
10:27 P.M. About That Bouncing Intro . . .
Surely one of the morning-after questions about Sunday's Tony Awards will be: Who thought of that bouncing thing that opened the show?
Warren Carlyle, the Tony-winning choreographer of "After Midnight," that's who.
Mr. Carlyle directed the Tonys host Hugh Jackman in his smash 2011 concert, "Back on Broadway." Mr. Carlyle told reporters that while considering ideas for the opening number he found inspiration on YouTube late at night, when watching the 1953 Bobby Van movie "Small Town Girl."
"I thought, how great to do a kind of homage to Bobby Van, and to that movie," Mr. Carlyle explained. "The bouncing is a joyous kind of thing," he said. He then started bouncing in the press room. He bounced and continued, "And Hugh is a joyous kind of guy."
— Steven McElroy
10:22 P.M. Neil Patrick Harris Is Best Actor in a Musical
Neil Patrick Harris trying to look nervous. Fooling no one.
It makes you appreciate N.P.H.'s essentially pulling off rap numbers on past Tony broadcasts.
Jefferson Mays was robbed. Just saying.
So here's what I don't get: "War Horse" won for best play a few years ago over three superior pieces of writing ("Good People," "The Mother__ With the Hat" and "Jerusalem"). The argument was that "War Horse" was the best theatrical experience. (Debatable, but O.K.) So, by that token, if people had a comparable experience at "After Midnight" – and are more tepid about its competitors than they were about "Jerusalem" and so on – then what's stopping them from just picking it for best musical?
I think the argument was (as always) that "War Horse" was the biggest hit. Which means "Beautiful" and "Aladdin" have the best chance. And are people all that tepid about its competitors? You seem to think that nobody likes "Gent's Guide" but moi. It's not "The Realistic Joneses," you know. (And the myth that no one else liked that is just that, by the way.)
Oh, I meant to tell you: You know that Tony Awards pop-up store that has been open? They had the "Realistic Joneses" script in there! O.K., wait, this rap needs my full attention.
Oh dear. Classic Tony desperation: rappers doing "The Music Man."
Everyone is a little bit poorer/lesser for having experienced that.
10:12 P.M. A Song From 'Wicked'
I've been meaning to catch this "Wicked." Are you hearing good things?
Was Elphaba always this green? It's creeping me out. Dear Margaret Hamilton's makeup was much subtler. I think a nice olive green is a better choice, but what do I know?
Honestly, it may be that teeth are so much whiter now that the contrast is more jarring.
10:11 P.M. In the Press Room: Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon was answering reporters' questions when Sophie Okonedo, who plays Ruth Younger in his production of "A Raisin in the Sun," won her Tony as best featured actress in a play. "YES!," he yelled, looking at the monitor. "That girl works harder than anyone." Later on he held up his award. "I think this gives voice to a lot of people in this country who grow up poor," he said. "I grew up poor."
— Steven McElroy
10:07 P.M. 'A Raisin in the Sun' Is Best Play Revival
Do you think Sting's "Last Ship" song has people panting to see the show?
Seeing Sting up there conjures fun memories of a high school bus trip to see him in "The Threepenny Opera." I can't say the song has me too excited about his show, though. Plus, he won't even be in it. Theoretical P.O.Y.C.C.: 4.
I'd give it a 2. I'm yawning already.
I love the Signature, but I still find it very weird that New York City theaters can now win the Regional Tony Award. It just seems like a sop for theaters whose works can only win Tonys if some producer throws enhancement money at them.
You're so cynical. (Smiley-face.) But practically every notable theater outside New York has won by now. "Raisin" sure has done well. I was sure this would go to "Twelfth Night." Go figure.
And the irony is that it's closing in a week. Didn't that happen with "Red" a few years ago?
Maybe. Who remembers? "All the Way" closing soon, too. And of course, "Twelfth" long since closed.
9:57 P.M. A Song From 'Violet'
If gospel music had never been invented, the average Tony Awards broadcast would be about 35 minutes long.
Ha ha. Agreed. But you know they couldn't resist shunting poor Violet aside and bringing on that chorus.
And making Jeanine Tesori's fantastic score sound like a million others in the process. Some weird camera work in this and a few other musical sequences tonight.
Yes, well, Tesori did it awhile before it became so commonplace, at least. And by the way, if they only gave out the awards, the Tony broadcast would only be 35 minutes long. Sigh. Not that I'm not loving every heavenly minute of it.
I know Sutton is your preferred candidate here. You wrote your "will win" picks a month ago, though — any you'd care to revise?
Honestly, I can't remember what I predicted. I still think Jesse Mueller will take that prize, in a tough category. Wish they could all win (well almost all).
As I suspected, Jason Robert Brown won both of his "Bridges" awards. But we'll never know what the audience thought.
So "Bridges" got the score award? That's bizarre to me. It wasn't even nominated for best musical. So how can it have the best score?
9:46 P.M. 'All the Way' Is Best Play
Yikes! I generally don't comment on the fashions, but Alan Cumming's suit is rather gob-smacking, and not in a good way. He's a human Rorschach test, basically. Meantime, am I getting tired or is Hugh's beard getting bushier?
And of course, he is followed by Kenneth Branagh's rocking a perfectly timeless tux. Kenny Leon's was the best so far.
Robert M. Schenkkan has more dramatic flair than James Lapine, at least here. Kinda surprising. Oh, but here comes Harvey. . . .
Hey, did they just miss a chance to plug Branagh's "Macbeth" on the heels of Cumming's? Or are we pretending that new one doesn't exist because it's Off Broadway?
As far as I'm concerned, the less said about that "Game of Thrones"-goes-to-Las Vegas production of "Macbeth," the better.
I kind of wish Harvey had gone with his original plan and cast himself in "Casa Valentina."
Funny that, in a year of not-so-great plays, they are getting this much air time.
But this concept bugs me less than a lot of past years' tries. And it's clear that each of them wrote their own text, which is refreshing.
I agree, and I'm glad "All the Way" won. But that clip from "Mullingar" reminded me that Brian O'Byrne was one of many good actors who didn't make the cut this year.
9:36 P.M. A Song From 'Hedwig'
By the way, my favorite social media post so far involved a Tony party featuring six-inch Subway subs in honor of Hedwig.
Well, I almost got my wish. He yanked off Samuel L. Jackson's glasses. . . .
I much prefer this song at the original, faster tempo. But that look on Mr. Jackson's face is worth it. O.K., now we're where we need to be tempo-wise.
Score? Probably a 9, given his big fan base. I still think the real Hedwig — like there is one! — wouldn't be able to afford even one of the wigs in this production.
The real Hedwig is every one of us. I'll go with 9.5 — we theater junkies can forget this, but I suspect more than a few viewers don't know "Hedwig." Well, they do now, and it was an accurate depiction that still made it look like something the Hed-heads (is that what they're called?) can get behind. Perfect triangulation.
9:35 P.M. Clint Eastwood: A Polarizing Presenter
How many people other than Clint Eastwood have spoken from the stages of both the Republican National Convention and the Tony Awards? It can't be many. Surprise at this juxtaposition definitely occurred to some users of Twitter:
Clint Eastwood presenting at the Tonys is not a thing I thought I'd ever see.
— Steve Newtenberg (@nicknewt) 9 Jun 14
Of course, many users of the social media service joked in 140 characters or less about empty chairs. Plenty more had remarks about Mr. Eastwood's advanced age and questions about his health. But some Tony Awards viewers really loved Mr. Eastwood's presentation of two awards:
Clint Eastwood has almost completed his transformation into John Huston. And I'm okay with that. #TonyAwards
— Michele DeVinney (@micheledevinney) 9 Jun 14
Or, they really, really loved him:
Clint Eastwood for Tonys 2k15 host!!! Who's with me?
— Carianne (@cariannesays) 9 Jun 14
Of course, others had more critical remarks, finding a parallel between Mr. Eastwood's strained pronunciations of nominees' names with John Travolta's difficulty with Idina Menzel's name at the Oscars in March:
Well Clint Eastwood just gave John Travolta a run for his money with those pronunciations
— Nathan Carroll (@nnnathancarroll) 9 Jun 14
And Eastwood's elocution left one Twitter user frightened:
Clint Eastwood pronounced "Darko" with such brutal intensity, I will have nightmares about it tonight. Thx, Bye. #TonyAwards
— Leslie Reynolds (@lesliemreynolds) 9 Jun 14
And then there was this parting thought:
How surreal must it be to get your #TonyAward from Clint Eastwood??
— Kathleen Schowalter (@kschowalter) 9 Jun 14
— Michael Roston
9:29 P.M. Bryan Cranston Is Best Actor in a Play
Was Bryan Cranston the least shocking pick so far?
I think so. He and N.P.H. were the surest bets, with Audra a close third.
He's wrong!! The nudity in "Hair" is only in the first act! I wrote the book on this! To quote Mr. Cranston in "Godzilla," "You're LYING to us!"
Yes, I wondered about that, too, despite not having written the book. He's getting the heave-ho from the band, meaning the show is running late. And, oh boy, here comes RuPaul. Gee, I wonder what he's intro-ing. . . .
9:26 P.M. Audra McDonald Is Best Actress in a Play
Well, history has been made: It's another Audra coronation. What can she possibly think of to say at this point? And they're ovating. She's as choked up as she was last year. Or going for a seventh Tony.
I find it very hard to think or say a single unkind thing about Audra.
You're a saint. But yes, she is giving another gracious speech despite my fears. And her Billie was phenomenal. She was my choice in this category. Random side comment: My dearest wish for this Tony ceremony is for Neil Patrick Harris, as Hedwig, to storm the audience and yank Anna Wintour's sunglasses off.
9:16 P.M. A Song From 'Gentleman's Guide'
So poor Lauren Worsham had to lose her award and change almost immediately into her "Gentleman's Guide" costume to perform?
Apparently. But she's in gorgeous voice nonetheless. In fact this is the best singing of the night so far. But I'm a bit partisan.
I forgot how much I liked Bryce Pinkham in this. He actually has a little of Hugh's soft-touch virtuosity. And Jefferson did his bit admirably. Surprisingly high P.O.Y.C.C., in fact — let's go with 7.
I'm giving it a 10, but with the caveat that if it's not your cup of tea, as it were, you're better off with, er, "Rocky."
Tied score at Game 2 of the N.B.A. finals, F.Y.I. Game 2s really matter: If the Spurs win tonight, that puts Miami down 2-0. Only 16 out of 255 teams have ever come back from that deficit in an N.B.A. playoff series. That's about the same odds as an "Outside Mullingar" win for best play.
9:11 P.M. Sophie Okonedo Is Best Featured Actress in a Play
Props to Ethan Hawke for appearing despite his, ahem, less than kind reviews for "Macbeth."
Oooh, what was Vera Farmiga an understudy in? And why have they been teasing the presence of Ethan Hawke for the last hour?
Sophie Okonedo! I'm thrilled. She and Anika Noni Rose were both, for me, the standouts in that production. Which is also getting a lot of love.
If a second Tony Award constitutes "a lot of love," which apparently it does tonight. Does this bode well for LaTanya upsetting Audra?
It's a possibility. But don't count out Cherry Jones. . . .
9:09 P.M. A Song From 'Cabaret'
It's only 9 p.m. and I feel like I've been at the theater for three hours.
Remember when the Tonys would have performers of yore reprise their big numbers, à la Robert Morse's "I Believe in You"? That's what this "Cabaret" number feels like. P.O.Y.C.C. score: 3.
I suspect it went over better: I'd say a 6, but once again you wonder how many people who are watching the Tonys haven't already seen the infernal thing.
You raise an interesting point about Hedwig and the M.C. Like a lot of people, I've been waiting a long time for "Hedwig" to reach Broadway. Do you think Mendes and Marshall's cheeky take on "Cabaret" helped make it possible?
Possibly, but what really made it possible was Neil Patrick Harris's having the gumption to do it. For me "Hedwig" is a raucous show that really has been a bit glitzified for Broadway, but it's getting a lot of love.
9:01 P.M. James Monroe Iglehart Wins Featured Actor in a Musical
Is it mathematically possible for every single show to get one and only one Tony Award?
James Monroe Iglehart not only won but also got to hear his nomination read twice! Dear, confused Fran Drescher. The presenters are a bit shaky this year, I must say. Clint was unfortunate.
Quick: the one performer you most want to see give an Iglehart-style praise shout. I'm torn between Samuel Barnett and Estelle Parsons.
Estelle would be fun. But now I'm fantasizing about a duet between Alan Cumming's M.C. and Hedwig. . . .
8:47 P.M. Darko Tresnjak and Kenny Leon Win Directing Awards
Hmmm … Clint is not on his A game here. We're up to eight awards to eight different shows!
Kenny Leon was a bit of a surprise win. They really are spreading things around. I thought Tim Carroll had a lock on it, especially since Kenny Leon already directed one revival of "Raisin," no?
8:42 P.M. Idina Menzel Performs
"Aladdin" P.O.Y.C.C. score on a scale of 0 to 10: 31. Wow, Clint Eastwood was willing to make fun of the Obama-chair speech.
I'd say that topped "Miz," if maybe not a 31. But it raises the deep philosophical issue of whether it's wise to put your showstopper out there. Will audiences be deflated when they realize they've seen the highlight of the show? Well, in any case by then they've bought tickets, I suppose.
Meanwhile, we're looking at seven shows getting the seven awards. I wonder if seven for seven is some sort of record? It certainly points to what many people predicted, a night in which the awards were spread around pretty widely. The problem is the whole arms-race thing with the showstoppers: If one show goes subtle while the others pull out every bell and whistle, it's hard to be heard above the din.
Well, these days, everyone tends to go over the top. I don't think we need worry on that score. But the "42nd Street-goes-to-the-bazaar" number from "Aladdin" will be hard to out-glitz.
I know they always say it's just the one award that matters (best musical), but I feel like the whole "Winner of __ Awards!" ad copy is pretty compelling, too. "Rocky" will make a concerted effort, though.
Now, THAT'S how you make an Adele Dazeem joke: by not actually making one, like Jonathan Groff just did. Idina did just fine with the "If/Then" number, but I'm not sure the P.O.Y.C.C. number is that high. The "Frozen" addicts already know about it, and I don't think the song is quite enough to convince the fence-sitters.
These close-ups aren't doing Idina Menzel any favors. She seems a bit crazed. And seems to have twice as many teeth as a normal person. But at least there's not a lot of glittery people tap-dancing behind her.
8:28 P.M. In the Press Room: Christopher Barreca of 'Rocky'
Christopher Barreca, winner of best scenic design of a musical for "Rocky," is our first visitor to the media room. "The thing that was the most nerve-racking was the first preview, because no one was sure the audience would get into it the way we hoped they would," he said of the show. Introducing the idea of bringing the boxing ring out into the audience for the final fight was an easy sell to the rest of the creative team, he said. It proved to be the most celebrated aspect of a show that didn't get much love from critics — and it ended up winning Mr. Barreca a Tony.
— Steven McElroy
8:26 P.M. Lena Hall Is Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Hey, it's your old "Gossip Girl" co-star, Leighton Meester!
Still a dear friend. Lena Hall for "Hedwig": since N.P.H. is the safest bet, it could be a very good night for that show.
Lena Hall is the anti-Mark Rylance. But both are absolutely charming in their totally different ways.
Am loving her hysterical speech, replete with messy notes. "Friendship is magic." Well, she started off better. . . .
8:21 P.M. One 'Les Miz' Performance More
Eric, what's the score for the "Miz" number? For the 12 watchers who haven't seen it, that is. . . .
P.O.Y.C.C. for "Les Misérables": 8, simply for reminding the world that it's back on Broadway (and reminding insiders that people like Nikki M. James and Keala Settle are in it). Fun fact: Jared Grimes (the lead "After Midnight" tap dancer, in the silver pants) and Ms. James had their first stage kiss together, in a Goodspeed production of "Babes in Arms."
I agree it came across well, although Ms. James sounded frightfully shrill to me. But maybe because she had to scuttle out in front of the mosh pit to sing, which might make it hard to follow the conductor, wherever he is. And in what arcane volume of show-queen lore did you find that fact?
It's way butch-er than that: I was playing Grimes one-on-one in basketball. Guess who won, the theater critic or the physical specimen?
8:12 P.M. Mark Rylance Is Best Featured Actor in a Play
Mark Rylance, as I thought likely, for featured actor. Does this mean more from that damn poet? (And I don't refer to Shakespeare.) Well, no, he's giving a lovely speech honoring Sam Wanamaker, who founded the Shakespeare's Globe. Good for him. I take back my snark.
I agree entirely. The door is still open for two Rylance awards in one night, though, so that damn poet might still surface.
I think that's a long shot, but he's the male Audra at this point. . . .
8:09 P.M. 'After Midnight' Opener
Anna Wintour in audience — that's a first. With glasses, natch. I guess because Roger Federer flopped in France. …
SHOW HUGH'S FEET.
I see "After Midnight" has not been able to resist the impulse to throw practically the whole show onstage, in brief. It's too much, people.
Well, the whole show EXCEPT the person whose performance was nominated for a Tony (Adriane Lenox). That's always a pet peeve of mine. Along those lines, I'd like to give tonight's musical numbers a "Pull Out Your Credit Card" number. On a scale of 1 to 10 – the P.O.Y.C.C. scale, perhaps — how good a job does each musical do of getting the average viewer to want to buy a ticket right then and there? (Or in the case of "Finding Neverland," marking their calendar to check back in a year or two about buying a ticket?) By that benchmark, I'd give "After Midnight" a solid 6.
Yes, that is odd. And hardly fair. I'd give it a 5. And what are we thinking of Hugh's beard? He must be a fan of "Looking." N.P.H. getting almost as much TV time as Hugh so far.
Is there a movie role or something? I'm a big believer in people with good enough faces not hiding their chins/cheeks under a bushel. Which is why I've had a beard for the last 15 years.
8:02 P.M. Jackman Hops To It
Why is Hugh Jackman hopping? A kangaroo reference?
It's apparently an homage to a Bobby Van number from the 1950s. Goldfrapp also did a video with the same idea. Nice double jumps with Andy Karl on the jump rope, though!
This is bewildering me. I wonder what the giant national television audience can be thinking.
This is … extremely ill-conceived. Execution was fine, but …
7:51 P.M. On the Red Carpet: Neil Patrick Harris
7:48 P.M. A Lifetime Achievement Award for Jane Greenwood
Jane Greenwood accepts her lifetime achievement award, thanking wigmakers, craftspeople and other collaborators during her 50 years of working in the theater. Her first Broadway show, Edward Albee's "The Ballad of the Sad Café," was in 1963. "This award represents my Act One," she said. Ms. Greenwood is also up for a competitive Tony, for the play "Act One"; it would be her first win in 18 tries.
— Steven McElroy
7:45 P.M. A Tony for Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell accepts the Isabelle Stevenson Award, given for humanitarian contribution to the theater. She knew about the award a while ago but said she'd been wondering if the trophy itself would look like a real Tony. She reported that it does. Now, when guests come over, she said, she can tell them it was for best actress in a musical if she wants to.
— Steven McElroy
7:41 P.M. A Tony for Signature Theater Company
Preshow awards have begun, with the "Kinky Boots" star Billy Porter (wearing a giant and very festive bow-tie) and Karen Ziemba of "Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical" as co-hosts. James Houghton, founding artistic director of Signature Theater Company, and Erika Mallin, its executive director, accept the regional theater Tony. "We stand on the shoulders of 2,000 Signature Theater alums," Ms. Mallin said, and Mr. Houghton named every writer in residence they have so far presented. He also give a shout-out to Off Off Broadway and even Off Off Off Broadway.
— Steven McElroy
7:25 P.M. Welcome to the Tonys
Hi, Eric, and welcome to our annual Tony chat. As you know the Tonys are like the gay Super Bowl — sorry, but had to make the inevitable gay joke since Neil Patrick Harris won't be doing it. I guess. But anyway, what do you think distinguishes this year from years past?
Oh, Hugh Jackman might have a few of those in his bouncing back pocket. Correct me if I'm wrong, Charles, but I get the sense that passions don't run as high about any one play or musical this year. I'm personally an "After Midnight" and "Casa Valentina" guy, but I'm not going to lose sleep no matter what happens. That seems to be a bit more the norm out there; the one show that people seem to feel most strongly about is "The Bridges of Madison County," which has already closed. Yes? No?
I'm a "Gent's Guide" guy, much as I liked "After Midnight." And "Casa Valentina" was an interesting idea but a somewhat unwieldy and unsatisfying play. That said, Reed Birney and the cast were great. It's strange that there isn't a big front-runner. At least it makes for some suspense. But who feels strongly about "Bridges of Madison County"? We must travel in very different circles. . . .
Possibly, but let's see when the best score and best orchestrations awards are announced. Barring a big upset by Danny Burstein or a smaller one by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, I think "Bridges" prizes for Jason Robert Brown will be met with a disproportionate amount of applause. What are you particularly excited about from the 68th annual "commercial interrupted by other commercials," a quote you coined last year that I still use?
Well, we won't hear that applause, since the book and score Tonys are awarded while we are watching commercials for … I don't know, Cialis or something. If "Bridges" wins, as it might, well, as the Brits say in "Gent's Guide," oy. The thing that strikes me this year is that they are apparently packing in even more musical numbers, including a couple from shows that aren't on Broadway yet. What's next? "Live from the workshop production of 'Blue: The Joni Mitchell Musical' "? Anyway at least there are some races that are up in the air. Let's see what happens.
6:48 P.M. How They're Getting Ready for the Tony Awards
You can't host the Tony Awards on an empty stomach. That's why Hugh Jackman chowed down on some sushi this evening before he hit the red carpet. We don't know this because Mr. Jackman told anyone. We know it because he posted a photo of his pre-show meal to Instagram, where over 12,000 people (and counting) liked the photo:
Other performers and nominees gave viewers an intimate glimpse of how they were preparing for the Tony Awards on social media this evening. Neil Patrick Harris, nominated for "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," gave us a peek at his shirtless "grooming" for the show:
And Idina Menzel, nominated for her performance in "If/Then," also let her Twitter followers see how she was being styled for the show:
Getting ready for @thetonyawards with @genevieveherr @tedgibson #tonys #tonyawards http://t.co/jVt0GsU3oE
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) 8 Jun 14
And another nominee acknowledged some of the nerves that might come ahead of Tonys night, and a good way to deal with them:
Quote of the day: "Relax…nothing is under control" …so don't forget to stop and eat the chocolate. ( the last part is mine)
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) 8 Jun 14
— Michael Roston
4:59 P.M. Ellen's Retweet Record Is Probably Safe
There's something about awards shows that bring out the record-breaking spirit on social media. Could tonight's Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman, be another opportunity to set a new benchmark on Twitter, Instagram or some other platform?
In 2011, a record was set for the volume of messages sent on Twitter.com during the MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé and Jay Z made the announcement that she was pregnant with the baby who would become Blue-Ivy Carter and Twitter users went wild.
Then this March, Ellen DeGeneres, while hosting the Academy Awards, broke President Obama's 2012 election night retweet record. Her celebrity-studded selfie photo, has been retweeted nearly 3.5 million times.
If only Bradley's arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars http://t.co/C9U5NOtGap
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) 3 Mar 14
So far, Ellen's record has been unbeatable, although a few people have tried to top it. The late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, for instance, got together with the Clinton family on a bid to pass Ms. DeGeneres at a Clinton Global Initiative event:
.@TheEllenShow- No Brad Cooper but 3 Clintons & a Kimmel @BillClinton @HillaryClinton @ChelseaClinton #selfie http://t.co/GyGFxnUjfP
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) 23 Mar 14
Even the combined 4 million followers of President Bill, former Secretary of State Hillary and ex-first daughter Chelsea Clinton couldn't power Mr. Kimmel past Ellen. So what hopes would there be for a more modest person's attempt to break the record?
Better than you might think.
Let's see if we can beat the Oscar re-tweets! http://t.co/hke2BbcUJb
— Terry Shipman (@terry_shipman) 4 Mar 14
Terry Shipman, a Beaumont, Tex., man, posted a photo from his sofa on March 4 with two cute dogs. "20 followers and a dream," one Twitter user responded. Roughly 185,000 users have shared the photo so far. That's surpassed Mr. Kimmel's effort, but is still a ways from Ellen's benchmark. Mr. Shipman is now up to 8,200 followers, and perhaps has cycled through his 15 minutes of fame.
The creators of "The Simpsons" — or their social media staff, at least — also tried to piggyback on Ellen's photo, seeking to "break Twitter again" with what they called the "ugly true story" of Ellen's selfie.
The ugly true story of that Oscar® selfie can finally be told! Let's break Twitter again. Look for Bart. http://t.co/tdfr3Juhff
— Homer J. Simpson (@HomerJSimpson) 5 Mar 14
No word yet on whether Bart Simpson will be writing "I will not try to break Ellen's retweet record" on a chalkboard in a future episode.
So what are the prospects for Hugh Jackman or the Tony Awards producers if they want to come at Ellen's record during tonight's broadcast? Probably not great. The Tony Awards viewership is considerably lower than that of the Oscars. And while Mr. Jackman's 4 million-strong Twitter following is nothing to sniff at, there are seven times as many people following @TheEllenShow, the account that hosted the record tweet.
Mr. Jackman could set his sights on a more modest record. In the days leading up to the Tonys broadcast, he's been very active on Instagram, the photo-sharing social network owned by Facebook. And the record for most "liked" photo on that platform could be considerably more within reach.
On May 27, a photo from the wedding of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West was posted on Ms. Kardashian's Instagram account. At more 2.2 million "likes," it currently holds the record for most-liked photo on that platform. Perhaps if Mr. Jackman finds the right cluster of celebrities seated together at the Tony Awards — and overcomes the 14 million-follower deficit he has with Ms. Kardashian — he'll have his own awards show social media record to brag about.
— Michael Roston
4:32 P.M. Tight Tonys Race to End Tonight
One of the most competitive and unpredictable years in the Tony Awards will end Sunday night with the winners revealed from the stage of Radio City Music Hall, broadcast live starting at 8 p.m. on CBS. Charles Isherwood, a theater critic for The Times, and others will be offering analysis and color commentary on ArtsBeat during the three-hour ceremony. Here are five things to watch for at the 68th annual Tonys:
The opening number. Who else thinks last year's song-and-dance medley at the top of the ceremony, led by host Neil Patrick Harris, was the best Tonys opening number ever? This year's host, Hugh Jackman, told The Times that he couldn't possibly go bigger. So what will he do? In recent Tony video teasers, Mr. Jackman has been bouncing an awful lot, in tribute to the theater and film actor Bobby Van in "Small Town Girl," a 1953 musical movie with a famous scene where Van's character jumps giddily through the streets. Will Mr. Jackman bring a silliness, or elegance, that matches Mr. Harris's gusto?
Tonys for best book and best score. If these two awards, which will be given early on Sunday night, both go to "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder," it may augur a win for a best musical Tony by that show as well. "Gentleman's Guide" is the front-runner for best book, but it faces tough competition from "The Bridges of Madison County" and other shows for best score. But if "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" wins for best book (the show is not eligible for score), it would be an upset and a good sign that "Beautiful" might run the table on Sunday night and beat "Gentleman's Guide" for best musical.
Best featured actor in a play. If Mark Rylance of "Twelfth Night" wins the Tony in this category, which will also come early in the CBS telecast, it sets up a history-making possibility should Mr. Rylance go on to win for best actor as well for "Richard III." No actor has ever won in both acting categories in the same year. A Rylance win for "Twelfth Night" may signal that the production will be dominant in other categories as well, like best play revival; "Twelfth Night" is nominated for a total of seven Tonys. By contrast, a win in this category for Reed Birney of Broadway's "Casa Valentina" would be an exciting moment for his many fellow theater veterans who regularly perform in Off Broadway plays for just a few hundred dollars a week, as Mr. Birney has done for years.
Clint Eastwood. The director of the forthcoming film adaptation of Broadway's "Jersey Boys" musical, Mr. Eastwood is slated to announce the Tony winners for best director of a musical and best director of a play. Will he be warmly welcomed? Or might there be lingering hard feelings among the liberals at Radio City over his attacks on President Obama (represented by an empty chair) during the 2012 Republican presidential convention?
Carole King, Jennifer Hudson, Sting. These three performers are set to have star turns during the Tonys telecast. How successfully are they deployed during their respective numbers?
As for the many tight Tonys races – for best musical, best play, best actress in a play and in a musical, and other categories – the nail-biting will soon be over. Look for coverage throughout Sunday night and a wrap-up at nytimes.com after the ceremony and in Monday's newspaper.
— Patrick Healy
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