The 71st annual Tony Awards was a spectacular way to kick off the summer! Whether you watched it at home, on the go, at rehearsal, or maybe even alone in your bedroom the Tony’s did not disappoint!
Thanks to Camp Broadway I was able to attend the Tony Awards as part of the live audience. This unique experience was truly a night of inspiration for me and theatre lovers everywhere. I am so thankful to have been able to able to attend the Tony Awards and make new friends! It will always be a special memory!
The Tony Award night for me began at Sardi’s where special guests Ryan Sell, Jake Ryan Flynn, and Ryan Foust, who each play Charlie in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Broadway, joined us for a delicious dinner. I had the pleasure of sitting by Ryan Sell, who originated the Broadway role of Charlie, at dinner and he shared some personal and hilarious insight on his show. He was an absolute pleasure to talk to and was one of the sweetest kids you could ever meet. While at Sardi’s we each had an opportunity to get our caricature done. (Can I just say that I crossed off so many items from my bucket list this day!) After dessert it was off to the Tony Awards!
The performances and the awards were hosted in New York’s iconic Radio City Music Hall. When in New York I’d pass Radio City but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be attending the Tony Awards there! The anticipation to get inside and experience this moment was incredible!
The Tony Awards opened with a hilarious parody of this years Broadway Musicals as well as a few stand-outs performed by this years host, Kevin Spacey. This performance made me give an unladylike belly laugh, but the audience was laughing hard too so I’m sure it was covered.
With such amazing live performances from “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Bandstand”, “Come From Away”, “Miss Saigon”, “Hello Dolly”, “Groundhog Day”, “Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”, “Falsettos” and a rendition of New York, New York by the Rockettes, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr. they all carried the night’s theme of Theatre Inspires to new heights.
A stand out performance for me was that of “Miss Saigon”. This chilling performance had many of us in tears as well as on the edge of our seats. Tony Nominee, Eva Noblezada, who also had played Kim in the West End revival, gave a completely exhilarating performance of “I’d Give My Life For You”.
What everyone was really waiting for were the awards. Some of my favorite moments were when Best Direction of a play went to director Rebecca Taichman for Indecent, whose family was present in full support. It was heart-warming to watch as they stood up and hugged and shouted when she won. Seeing Ben Platt win Best Actor in a Musical made my heart melt. His excitement, nervousness, and honesty as a person made me love him as an actor even more! Even more exciting to me was when Lin Manuel-Miranda presented the Tony Award for Best musical and “Dear Evan Hansen” won! Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have always wrote gorgeous and relatable music and have become a huge influence to me personally.
Attending the Tony Awards has encouraged me to continue working hard on what I love and to strive to be an inspiration to others. So to all you theatre loving people out there, find what inspires you and stay motivated to pursue your dreams and passions!