The 66th Annual Tony Awards

I finally got to watch the 66th Annual Tony Awards, which aired last Sunday.  Neil Patrick Harris came back to host, and he was his usual charming, funny self.  His opening number about how life would be better if it was like theatre was hilarious, with great lyrics and dancing.  His other musical numbers were also excellent - the compilation of the past 60+ years of best score, and his closing number about how he doesn't have enough time to sing about closing the show.

This year's show has quite a few funny sight gags and moments:

- The Book of Mormon missionary interrupting James Earl Jones signing Darth Vader pictures in his dressing room.
- An actor playing Mufasa in full outfit and headdress sitting in the audience, and people behind him were grumbling about not being able to see.
- NPH dangling behind Angela Lansbury and Theodore Chapin, Chairman of the American Theatre Wing in a Spiderman gag.  Of course they had to cut to Andrew Garfield, who was in the audience as a Tony nominee for Death of a Salesman.  It's unbelievable how good-looking Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield are as a couple.
- Hugh Jackman dancing with a cast member from Godspell and singing along.
- Mandy and Patti LuPone singing excerpts before presenting the Best Revival of a Musical.
- A woman body-surfing to get back to her chair while NPH was cutting to commercial.
- Matt Stone and Trey Parker - the "Broadway establishment" - congratulating the "young whippersnappers" who seek to join their ranks while presenting the award for Best Musical.

Audra McDonald won her fifth Tony for Porgy and Bess.  Her rendition of Summertime was just out-of-this-world.  I was lucky enough to have seen her in Master Class and Ragtime, and she is not only an amazing singer, but also a fantastic actress.  I'm glad she is back on Broadway, where she belongs, as opposed to second-rate TV drama.

We spotted three SYTYCD alums in the cast of Newsies - our absolute favorite Alex Wong, whose dancing stood out even in that talented cast, Evan Kasprzak, and Jess LeProtto.

Peter and the Starcatcher looks intriguing.  If Mr. Y and I actually have time, we would love to see that show.  Someone I know from college is the fight choreographer for the show, Jacob Grigolia-Rosenbaum.  Here's a great interview with him and how he did it.  The play is based on a novel co-written by famed humorist and satirist Dave Barry.

Once looks like a great show, and all the actors playing the musical instruments certainly add a great touch.  I was disappointed that they didn't sing "Falling Slowly," though, since that is one of my absolute favorite songs of all time.

The best moment was when Deborra-Lee Furness surprised her husband, Hugh Jackman, by presenting him with his special Tony.  It was clear that these two love each other very much. It was very sweet to see them together.  I already adore Hugh Jackman, and his devotion and love for his wife and family make him even hotter.