Neil as Hedwig, a ‘Wicked’ moment: 5 highlights from the 2014 Tony Awards
MANILA, Philippines – It was a star-studded evening featuring many faces from Hollywood, crossing over to New York City for one of theater's biggest nights.
Big TV and movie stars like Bryan Cranston, Leighton Meester, Vera Farmiga, Zachary Quinto, and Daniel Radcliffe all made red carpet appearances at the 2014 Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman. View the full list of winners here.
Here are just a few of many great moments from this year's show, featuring diverse performances from the movers and shakers in the theater scene this year.
1. ‘Wickedly talented’ Idina Menzel and her powerful performance
WICKEDLY TALENTED. Idina Menzel killed it on stage singing a song from her latest musical ‘If/Then.’ Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA
After her Oscars performance singing “Let It Go” from Frozen, Idina Menzel killed it yet again. Idina sang “Always Starting Over” from If / Then, about a woman’s experiences in two mirror images of her life.
The one thing that *might* be better than Idina’s performance? The intro by friend and Frozen co-star Jonathan Groff, who called her the “wickedly talented” Idina, in a good-natured jab at John Travolta. When John introduced Idina at this year’s Academy Awards, he also called her “wickedly talented” – before introducing her as Adele Dazeem! (READ: Idina Menzel on the 'Adele Dazeem' flub: 'It's all cool)
2. Audra McDonald makes history
VICTORY. Audra McDonald made history with her 6th Tony, beating Angela Lansbury and the late Julie Harris. Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA
After winning her Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her work in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Audra McDonald made history as she now has 6 Tonys, the most wins for an actress. This is one more than previous record-holders Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris, according to CBS News.
3. Neil wins first Tony / his Sting lapdance
POWERHOUSE. Neil Patrick Harris and the cast of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ performs onstage during the 2014 Tony Awards Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions/AFP
Fans may have missed Neil Patrick Harris as host in this year’s Tonys (the honor went to Hugh Jackman), but Neil achieved one more milestone in his epic career – his first Tony for his work in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Neil also staged a rollicking performance onstage, which included some audience interaction – Neil could be seen giving Sting a lapdance and planting a big one on longtime partner David Burtka.
Could the night be any sweeter? Neil’s co-star Lena Hall won Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, and Hedwig also won Best Revival of a Musical.
4. Les Mis returns
THEY’RE BACK. Ramin Karimloo leads the cast of the ‘Les Mis’ revival, which was nominated for a Tony but lost to ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch.’ Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions/AFP
This year, the classic Les Miserables returned to the stage, with Ramin Karimloo in the lead as Jean Valjean (in the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert in 2010, Ramin played Enjolras). The cast’s rousing performance of “One Day More” won’t soon be forgotten.
5. Wicked celebrates 10 years
WICKED. Don’t you wish ‘Wicked’ could run ‘For Good’? Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions/AFP
Did you see Wicked when the show ran in Manila? The show celebrated its 10-year anniversary at this year’s Tony Awards with a performance of “For Good” from Christine Dwyer and Jenni Barber. Who wouldn’t well up at the parting song between two unlikely friends? “It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,” sings Elphaba. But please, let that not be true for the long-running musical – long live Wicked!
What was your favorite moment from the Tony Awards? Let us know in the comments below! – Rappler.com
