When it was announced that Hugh Jackman would host the 68th annual Tony Awards, anticipation for the show naturally increased. Jackman portrays energy better than most hosts we have seen through the years.
Jackman started the night out with a bang as he hopped his way from outside the New York City streets into Radio City Music hall. He greeted many of today’s stars on Broadway as he found his way to the stage.
First time winners Bryan Cranston and Neil Patrick Harris were delighted, and Audra McDonald broke records, according to CBSnews.com. This Tony Award night in 2014 truly had some remarkable highlights.
Audra McDonald makes history:
McDonald was clearly the biggest winner on this night as she captured the Tony for best lead actress for her portrayal as Billy Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” according to TonyAwards.com . McDonald made history as this marks McDonald’s sixth ever Tony, which places her one ahead of five-time winners Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris. McDonald is now officially the most decorated actress in the Tony Award’s history.
"You deserve more than you were given on this planet and this is for you baby," McDonald said of Holiday as she fought back tears accepting the award, according to CBSnews.com.
“All The Way” and Bryan Cranston:
The smash-hit “All The Way” took home the Tony for best play, and its lead actor broke the ice on his Broadway career. Bryan Cranston, who played Lyndon B. Johnson in the play, took home the Tony for best lead actor. The remarkable fact that this was Cranston’s rookie performance on Broadway was the topper.
Cranston beat out Mark Rylance from “Richard III,” Chris O’Dowd from “Of Mice and Men,” and Samuel Barnett from “Twelfth Night.” This was perhaps a slightly different role than Walter White in “Breaking Bad.”
Neil Patrick Harris:
Harris went from prime-time TV to Broadway in 2014, and the transition seemed to be smooth as he was recognized for his role in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Playing a German transsexual in the play landed him the Tony for best lead actor in a musical.