From Tears of Joy to Record-Breaking Nominations: A Look at the Winners of the 2024 Tony Awards
July 17, 2024
Pictured: Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations and Tony Awards voter
Photo Credits: Morgan Horell
Congratulations to all the winners of the 77th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 16, 2024, at David H. Koch Theatre at the Lincoln Center. And a special shoutout to our friends at The Wilma Theater, who won the Regional Theater Tony Award! The Tony’s always do a fabulous job highlighting Broadway’s greatest productions and stars, and this year was no different. Our own resident Tony Awards voter and Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations, Frances Egler shares her thoughts on the awards.
Question: Why are the Tony Awards so special for the Broadway community?
Answer: “The Tony Awards are a culmination of the [Broadway] season. They celebrate everyone who worked to get a show opened and running this year, a total of 36 this year. It’s one of the few times each year that the national media focuses on theater and it’s exciting to see more people discover the great plays and musicals that started this year.”
Question: What was your reaction to this year’s winners?
Answer: “It was an exciting show, as there was no clear front runner for a number of the categories, including Best Musical. All eight performers who won Tonys for their performances were first time winners. It’s so great to see actors like Maleah Joi Moon win Best Actress in a Musical at [age] 21 and Kecia Lewis (in her 40th year of performing) win Best Featured Performance by an Actress, in the same year and for the same show [Hell’s Kitchen]. The number of popular composers and writers like Alicia Keys, Sufjan Stevens, Ingrid Michaelson and Will Butler (formerly of Arcade Fire) writing songs and lyrics for the stage along with theater composers like Shaina Taub (who won Best Score for Suffs) shows how Broadway is expanding what exactly a musical is. I’m hoping that many of the shows that were featured during [this year’s] Tony’s will make it to Philly in the next few seasons.”
Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations
Photo Credit: Morgan Horell
Here is a recap of who won, for those who might have missed it:
1. Stereophonic
Stereophonic has quickly become one of Broadway's most talked about productions, winning Best Play after receiving a record-breaking 13 Tony Award nominations. Stereophonic received the most Tony’s of the night (5), which also included Best Direction of a Play (David Aukin), Best Performance of an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Will Brill), Best Sound Design of a Play, and Best Scenic Design of a Play.
Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic transports the audience to a recording studio in 1976. With a fully functioning studio intertwined in the set – including a real soundboard that was used to record Gladys Knights and Pips' “Midnight Train to Georgia” – the story follows a rock-and-roll ban as they deal with the pressure of releasing an album.
2. The Outsiders
The Outsiders earned all four of their Tony Awards, which included the following: Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Danya Taymor), Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. The Outsiders is based on the S.E. Hinton book and Francis Ford Coppola Film, both of which have enjoyed major successes. The story follows the friendship of Ponyboy, Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family. The cast gave an incredible performance during the Tony’s that highlighted the show’s intricate choreography and design.
3. Merrily We Roll Along
Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along redeemed its name, winning Best Revival of a Musical after being a major flop when it premiered in 1981. The musical follows three friends whose friendship implodes yet, the story is told in reverse. The musical’s current success can be attributed to the genius of director Maria Friedman and the performances of the three leads. Movie star, Daniel Radcliffe, was nominated and won his first Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. The other two leads are played by Broadway superstars, Jonathon Groff, and Lindsey Mendez, who were also both nominated for their performances. Jonathan Groff, previously known for roles in Spring Awakening, Glee, and Hamilton, cried as he won his first Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. The musical also picked up its fourth Tony Award for Best Orchestrations.
4. Appropriate
Best Revival of a Play was justifiably handed to Appropriate, starring Sarah Paulson, who won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play. With its premiere in 2013, Lila Neugebauer brought the play back to life, directing this dark, comedic, American family drama that delves into topics of historical racism and cultural appropriation. The story follows the dysfunctional Lafayette family, as they fight over their deceased father’s inheritances. With eight nominations, Appropriate also took home Best Lighting Design of a Play.
5. Hell's Kitchen
Nominated for Best Musical, Hell’s Kitchen follows the inspirational story of a young woman as she discovers herself and her purpose through piano. The story is told through some of singer-songwriter Alicia Keys’ greatest hits as well as original songs she herself wrote. The cast gave a stellar performance during the award show that featured Maleah Joi Moon, winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Kecia Lewis, winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical.
6. Suffs
Suffs, whose Tony performance was introduced by former first lady, Hilary Clinton, also took home two Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre. This thrilling and inspirational musical follows the struggles of American female suffragists, “suffs” for short, in their courageous fight for the right to vote.
Are you eager to get back to the theatre now? Make sure to check out our 2024-2025 Broadway season, right here in Philadelphia! From classics such as Les Misérables, to Broadway blockbusters such as Hamilton and The Book of Mormon, we are so excited to present 12 shows (with a combined 47 Tony Awards) this upcoming season! For more information, click here.