This was an unusual year for the 76th Annual Tony Awards. It was almost canceled because of the Writers Guild of America strike. There was no script. It was held for the first time at the United Palace, an old, extravagant movie theater in the Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights, where a previous Tony-winning musical was set — and which seemed to be sweltering. (“It’s so hot in there,” Sean Hayes said, when he came into the media room after winning Best Actor for Leading Role in a Play for “Goodnight, Oscar.”) There was no big, sweeping winner. And yet, it was a surprisingly entertaining show.
Let’s get to it. If you just want the list of major winners, they’re here. But these are the six things that struck me as I watched the Tony Awards Sunday night:
1. History was made. Alex Newell, in a sparkling gold dress, won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for their role in “Shucked.” They were the first nonbinary actor to win a Tony.
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