Pink likely wasn’t on anyone’s short list of potential Tony Awards® hosts, having never been in a Broadway production.
She is, however, a lifelong fan, mom to a theater kid, and a performer whose concerts show the influence of Broadway. And she proved to be an excellent choice. Her energy and enthusiasm infused the entire show, which had few if any slow sections.
Pink opened the show descending from the ceiling in a Peter Pan costume before former Tony host Neil Patrick Harris encouraged her to be herself.
That kicked off an extravagant production set to a revamped “Lady Marmalade,” with shout-outs to the nominees, a rap by Megan Thee Stallion, who made her Broadway debut this year in Moulin Rouge!, and another 170 performers on the Radio City Music Hall stage. Now that’s an ensemble.
The energy of the opening number carried through the show, which featured performances from Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) and Shmigadoon!
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman took home the most hardware Sunday night, scoring six trophies including Best Revival of a Play, Best Actress in a Featured Role for Laurie Metcalf and Best Direction of a Play for Joe Mantello. Those half-dozen made Death the most awarded revival in Tony history.
Bess Wohl’s Liberation, which follows a women’s group through the generations, won the award for Best Play, fresh off its Pulitzer Prize for Drama win last month.
John Lithgow took the prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal in Giant of problematic author Roald Dahl dealing with the fallout from his antisemitic comments in a book review.
Lithgow, 80, became the oldest male actor to win a competitive Tony. It was his third, the first coming in 1973 for his role as a rugby player in The Changing Room. He won in 2002 for his role in Sweet Smell of Success.
“I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic theater moments onstage,” Lithgow said clutching his trophy, “but I have to tell you, this moment has got to be one of the best.”
Best Musical went to Schmigadoon!, based on an Apple TV series canceled after two seasons. Producer Christine Schwarzman thanked Apple TV for the cancellation, which led to the successful musical.
In Schmigadoon!, a couple stumbles upon a town seemingly sprung from a golden-age musical, complete with residents who frequently burst into song. Like the series, the musical pays tribute to Broadway musicals from Brigadoon to Oklahoma!
Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy, both from Ragtime, won Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Ragtime also won Best Revival of a Musical.
The Book of Mormon’s 15 years on Broadway were honored with a performance of “Man Up” featuring original cast members Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells. The actors will reprise their roles for a week the celebrate the show’s anniversary.
The 50th anniversary of A Chorus Line was saluted by Rachel Zegler’s rendition of “What I Did for Love.”
The 30th anniversary of Chicago brought about one of the most spectacular performances Sunday night. Introduced by Queen Latifah, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Matron “Mama” Morton in the musical’s 2002 film version, it began with Alex Newell’s smoldering take on “When You’re Good to Mama.” After a rousing “Cell Block Tango,” Pink strutted her stuff on “All That Jazz,” ably taking on Bob Fosse’s choreography and the John Kander-Fred Ebb tune, looking every bit the Broadway veteran she isn’t.
Pink’s humor and genuine enthusiasm silenced any lingering questions of “Why Pink?” Perhaps her next appearance at the Tonys will be as a nominee.