The 77th Tony Awards celebrated the best of Broadway, with 'Stereophonic' and 'Merrily We Roll Along' emerging as the top winners, earning prestigious accolades for Best Play and Best Musical Revival, respectively.
- Jun 17, 2024
AceShowbiz - The 77th Tony Awards brought the best of Broadway to the forefront, celebrating stellar performances and the intricate balance between art and commerce. Hosted by Ariana DeBose for the third consecutive year, the ceremony featured memorable performances and poignant speeches that resonated with audiences and highlighted the enduring power of theater.
Leading the pack, "Stereophonic" and "Merrily We Roll Along" emerged victorious, capturing the awards for Best Play and Best Musical Revival, respectively. "Stereophonic", a dramatic portrayal of a chaotic rock band's journey to create a lasting masterpiece, dominated the night with five awards, including Best Direction of a Play by Daniel Aukin and Best Supporting Actor in a Play for Will Brill. The play's writer, David Adjmi, dedicated over a decade to perfecting this story of artistic obsession.
"Merrily We Roll Along", a Stephen Sondheim classic, triumphed as the Best Revival of a Musical. Initially a Broadway flop in 1981, it has made a spectacular comeback, garnering four Tonys. Jonathan Groff, who won Best Actor in a Musical, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his parents, while Daniel Radcliffe's win for Best Supporting Actor marked another highlight of the evening.
"The Outsiders" secured the Best Musical accolade, accentuating its dynamic interpretation of S.E. Hinton's beloved novel. Director Danya Taymor took home the Best Direction of a Musical award, advocating for artistic risk-taking in her acceptance speech. The musical's success was a significant win for producer Angelina Jolie, whose presence was a focal point throughout the ceremony.
On the dramatic front, Sarah Paulson's stellar performance in "Appropriate" earned her Best Actress in a Play. Jeremy Strong, recognized as Best Actor in a Play for his role in "An Enemy of the People", delivered a powerful speech connecting the play's themes to contemporary societal dilemmas. Kara Young's historic win as the first black actor nominated for three consecutive years affirmed her talent with the Best Supporting Actress in a Play award.
The evening was also marked by a stirring tribute to the women's suffrage movement through "Suffs", which won Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. Co-producer Hillary Clinton provided a nationally noticed moment with her presence and introduction of a number from the musical.
In addition to the awards, the night was filled with top-notch performances, including a surprise duet by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, showcasing Broadway's compelling blend of storytelling and musical prowess. Ariana DeBose summed up the sentiment of the evening, noting, "In the most trying of times, art is imperative, because art reflects society and provides context for the very real situations that we find ourselves in today."
For a theater industry still recovering from the pandemic, the 77th Tony Awards reminded everyone of Broadway's unyielding spirit and the transformative power of live performance.
Full Winner List of the 77th Annual Tony Awards
- Best Musical: "The Outsiders"
- Best Play: "Stereophonic"
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Maleah Joi Moon, "Hell's Kitchen"
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Jonathan Groff, "Merrily We Roll Along"
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Sarah Paulson, "Appropriate"
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Jeremy Strong, "An Enemy of the People"
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Will Brill, "Stereophonic"
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Kara Young, "Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch"
- Best Direction of a Play: Daniel Aukin, "Stereophonic"
- Best Direction of a Musical: Danya Taymor, "The Outsiders"
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Daniel Radcliffe, "Merrily We Roll Along"
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Kecia Lewis, "Hell's Kitchen"
- Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: "Suffs"
- Best Revival of a Play: "Appropriate"
- Best Revival of a Musical: "Merrily We Roll Along"
- Best Book of a Musical: "Suffs"
- Best Costume Design of a Play: "Jaja's African Hair Braiding"
- Best Costume Design of a Musical: "The Great Gatsby"
- Best Orchestrations: "Merrily We Roll Along"
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical: "Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club"
- Best Scenic Design of a Play: "Stereophonic"
- Best Choreography: "Illinoise"
- Best Lighting Design of a Musical: "The Outsiders"
- Best Lighting Design of a Play: "Appropriate"
- Best Sound Design of a Play: "Stereophonic"
- Best Sound Design of a Musical: "The Outsiders"
