Tony Awards Press Room Live Blog!!!
We're live from the Tony Award Press Room! We're going to be live blogging the entire night, so keep checking in for updates!
5:17 - Got here a bit early, so far one of the few outlets that have checked in. Considerably less outlets here this year than last year.
5:24 - This is our third year we've been lucky enough to be here and each year we're getting closer to the front row. 2nd row this year! Who say's we're not moving up in the world!
6:27 - First winners should be coming in at 7:30!
7:15 - Jonathan Groff and Brian D'Acry James hosting the creative arts awards, two King George's on one stage.
7:16 - In case you were wondering what the blue pins represent people are wearing, the ampersand pins signify solidarity with GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). The pin represents the wearers' standing together with marginalized groups.
7:17 - Dallas Theatre Center wins this year's regional theatre award. Congrats to everyone in Dallas-Ft. Worth! A Tony Award and a $25,000 grant is a great prize to go home with.
7:22 - An incredibly sweet montage tribute to Educator Rachel Harry. Ripple effects from great theatre teachers are endless.
7:28 - Baayork Lee just accepted her Isabelle Stevenson Award, if you don't know who she is, look her up, it's an incredible story.
7:32 - When James Earl is talking, you stop and listen. A voice that owns every room.
7:35 - Special Tony award to the sound designers of 'The Encounter' which was an amazing immersive theatre experience. I hope it tours. What a great way to usher back Best Sound Design next year.
7:38 - 'The Little Foxes' win the first Tony of the night for Costume Design and the great Jane Greenwood. First win after 21 nominations!
7:40 - 'Hello Dolly' just scored its first win of the night for Costume Design, Santo Loquasto. Get ready for a lot of Midler love in the various speeches tonight.
7:44 - The Play That Goes Wrong wins Scenic Design for a Play! Genius design if you haven't seen it yet.
7:46 - The Great Comet just won their first Tony for scenic design for Mimi Lein!
7:51 - Indecent wins Lighting Design for Play.
8:00 - Kevin Spacey has got some pipes!
8:04 - Stephen Colbert does not have some pipes.
8:08 - Opening number is impressive so far.
8:11 - Opening number not exactly the show stopper I hoped for but strong start.
8:13 - Michael Aranov wins Best Supporting Actor in a Play, bit of an upset there since most were expecting Danny Devito to take it.
8:18 - Lighting Designer of Indecent Christopher Akerland in the press room. Footlights are heavily used in the show which is unique.
8:29 - So happy for Gavin Creel, what a journey he's had.
8:32 - Eva Noblezada's voice never ceases to amaze.
8:35 - Not as many people making their way to the press room for some reason. Just sittin here.
8:45 - Michael Aranov in the press room honoring his parents even more than his Tony speech.
8:50 - Gavin Creel in the press room and is genuinely moved to have Sutton Foster present the award to him.
8:54 - Advice from Gavin Creel - Get off your phones and get on stage
8:59 - Pasek and Paul, tremendous speech there.
9:05- Dear Evan Hansen wins Best Book. That close race with Come from Away so far hasn't happened. I would be shocked if DEH doesn't win the big prize.
9:23 - Cynthia Nixon talks about the challenges of swtiching on an off roles with Laura Linney, "it was excrutiating".
9:37- The press room was fully expecting Jenn Colella to win, but very happy for Rachel Bay Jones.
9:42 - Steven Levenson, Book writer of Dear Evan Hansen, "The screens in my life for me to feel isolated and alone often...it felt like a story needed to be told about finding connection."
9:47 - Benji Pasek & Justin Paul, "winning the Tony is sacred ground."
9:54 - Genuine shock in the room that Christopher Ashley won for best director of a musical. I don't know what Michael Greif has to do to win a Tony.
10:02 - Andy Blankenbuhler winning a Tony and honoring his veteran grandfather was a beautiful tribute.
10:20 - It's been a while since anyone has come to the press room....
10:25 - Rachel Bay Jones in the room, a lot of what happens in dear evan hansen makes her examine her own relationship with her daughter.
10:32 - Rebecca Taichman in the room and genuinely wasn't expecting to win.