Romantic robot musical Maybe Happy Ending has triumphed at the Tony Awards by winning six awards, marking a historic moment as both Cole Escola and Kara Young make their mark on Broadway. The musical claimed the title for best musical, with its leading performer and co-writer Darren Criss taking the leading actor in a musical award. During his victory speech, Criss expressed his pride to be part of a Broadway season branded as notably diverse and excellent. Michael Arden, who directed the musical and also claimed an award for best direction of a musical, leveraged his platform to emphasize the essential nature of empathy in the midst of his message celebrating Pride Month, urging empathy as a gift and responsibility.
In addition to the main win, the show’s success was echoed by other remarkable achievements. Notably, Nicole Scherzinger made history by winning best leading actress in a musical for her performance in Sunset Boulevard, beating records previously held by Audra McDonald. Scherzinger’s win was accompanied by her emotional acknowledgment of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber onstage, highlighting the significance of her victory.
Among other significant winners, Cole Escola achieved the honor of being the first non-binary actor to win the leading actor in a play award for their role and playwriting in Oh, Mary!, beating established talent such as George Clooney in their respective categories. The Pulitzer prize-winning play Purpose was chosen as the best play, marking a continued success for playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins whose revival of Appropriate won three Tonys last year.
Kara Young, for her performance in Purpose, not only clinched the featured actress in a play award but also established herself as the first Black actor to win such an award consecutively. Sarah Snook’s acclaimed performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray earned her the Tony for leading actress in a play, following her Olivier win and marking her Broadway debut.
The evening also saw the musicals Buena Vista Social Club and Eureka Day receive multiple awards, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Broadway. Francis Jue and Jak Malone’s performances in Yellow Face and Operation Mincemeat respectively were recognized, with both speeches using their platform to highlight the importance of representation and understanding in the current climate.
The ceremony, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, encapsulated the resilience and dynamism of Broadway, highlighted by record-breaking box office figures and an emotional musical performance commemorating the late stage stars. The evening celebrated not just the excellence of this year’s productions but also honored the legacy of the craft, with a notable performance revisiting the magic of Hamilton to mark its 10th anniversary. Despite its record-breaking run, Othello featuring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal surprisingly received no nominations. This year’s Tony Awards underscored the theater’s role as a medium for storytelling, diversity, and social commentary.
