Juliana Canfield and Sarah Pidgeon at The 13th annual Tony’s After-Party Hosted by Rick Miramontez and John Gore at the The Carlyle on June 16, 2024 in New York, New York. NINA WESTERVELT/VARIETY/GETTY IMAGES
The 77th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose for the third time, delivered an evening of high-energy performances, emotional speeches, and a few surprises. Broadcast on CBS from Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, the ceremony was a masterclass in how to stage an awards show. DeBose, who announced this would be her last hosting stint for a while, set the tone with a musical number, though some felt a performance from an actual Broadway show might have been a stronger opener.
Highlights and Memorable Performances
Alicia Keys and Jay-Z set the show ablaze with “Empire State of Mind,” though Jay-Z’s appearance seemed pre-taped and outside the venue. The Best Musical nominees and Best Play winner, Stereophonic, showcased their talents with standout performances, despite a few criticisms about the presentation of Stereophonic’s number.
Jeremy Strong’s win for “An Enemy of the People” was a highlight, with Strong acknowledging the Circle in the Square’s staff, a subtle nod to their handling of climate protesters. Stereophonic’s Will Brill, who won Best Featured Actor in a Play, shared his moment with fellow nominees from his cast, highlighting the play’s strong ensemble.
Kara Young made history as the first actress of color to earn Tony nominations for three consecutive years. Her heartfelt acceptance speech for her role in “Purlie Victorious” included tributes to Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, and a touching shout-out to her father and great-grandmother.
Tributes and Musical Numbers
The tribute to Chita Rivera, featuring performances by Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bebe Neuwirth, Audra McDonald, and DeBose, was beautifully executed. The In Memoriam segment, with Nicole Scherzinger performing “What I Did For Love,” was also moving, with clear, unobscured images of the honorees.
Stereophonic playwright David Adjmi acknowledged Playwrights Horizons and other non-profit theaters that nurtured many of the evening’s nominees. The musical numbers from “The Outsiders,” “The Who’s Tommy,” “Suffs,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” and “Illinoise” captured the essence of each production, although some felt that “Stereophonic’s” performance was too abbreviated.
Sarah Paulson, from “Appropriate,” graciously acknowledged her chief rival Jessica Lange of “Mother Play.” Meanwhile, Maria Friedman, director of “Merrily We Roll Along,” paid tribute to Stephen Sondheim, whose influence loomed large over the evening.
Surprises and Snubs
Maleah Joi Moon, at 21, became the youngest Tony winner of the night, taking home the Lead Actress in a Musical award for “Hell’s Kitchen.” Her win, along with Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe’s tearful acceptance speeches for their roles in “Merrily We Roll Along,” provided some of the ceremony’s sweetest moments.
The Pluto TV pre-show was a notable misstep, with many viewers struggling to find the correct streaming site. DeBose’s opening number, though performed well, was criticized for being generic. Additionally, Eddie Redmayne’s performance in “Cabaret” was seen as overly eccentric for the televised format.
Camera angles also detracted from some performances, particularly “Stereophonic,” where the wide shot appeal was lost in close-ups. Despite these minor issues, the show succeeded in celebrating Broadway’s best.
In terms of snubs, Maria Friedman’s loss was notable, and “Hell’s Kitchen” only winning two of its 13 nominations stood out, though both wins were significant. “Illinoise,” despite its innovative choreography, also received less recognition than expected.
Overall, the 2024 Tony Awards balanced memorable performances and heartfelt speeches with a few production missteps, offering a fitting tribute to Broadway’s resilience and creativity.
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