The Tony Awards has always been one of the most anticipated events in the past years, and this year it's no different. The 71st Annual Tony Awards ceremony was laden with unforgettable moments — a time-honored tradition truly as epic as the masterpieces they celebrate!
Kevin Spacey hosts the 71st Annual Tony Awards
Of course, everyone knows that the Tony Awards are all about recognizing people's excellence in Broadway Theatre. And who better to host the ceremony than the very talented actor Kevin Spacey? According to Playbill, the superb opening dance had the talented artist changing costumes; costumes that were meant to be representations of shows that were nominated.
Indeed, a very nice touch and fitting for a welcome number.
The number portrayed Spacey doubting himself over whether he can really host the Tony Awards or not. We see him in different phases leading towards the Tony's. The performance was full of clever references, shout outs, and even advice from other famous personalities like Stephen Colbert, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg.
As the number progressed, Spacey slowly built up his confidence as he understood what it truly meant to be a host for the Tony Awards. In the finale, they gave audiences a classy tap dancing number, complete with Spacey formally announcing the ceremony title, and confidently declaring himself as host in the satisfying finish.
A songwriting duo recognized
Further into the ceremony, songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — who were responsible for the music of "Dear Evan Hansen" — were also there to receive recognition. Being recent Oscar awardees for the Hollywood hit "La La Land," the songwriting pair cannot contain their elation for their first-ever Tony award, and their gratitude showed in their acceptance speech.
Pasek compared the experience to a childhood wish where our younger selves would always dream of a home where we could feel like we truly belong. "Theatre and cast albums were that thing for us," Pasek said.
Saved from budget cuts
In contrast, Kevin Kline, Best Actor in a Play awarded for his performance in "Present Laughter," gave a rather restrained speech.
He expressed his gratitude and how he was not alone in the undertaking ("It's a group effort"), but then shifted focus to budget cuts that may have lead to "half" of the people unable to attend the ceremony. He thanked the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, organization which he believed are what saved them from the cuts.
