The Tony Awards are tonight. Let’s get you ready for what’s in store with these 5 Fast Facts on everything you can expect to see.
1. Performances Will Be Star-Studded
In addition to the normal “Best Musical” performances and other Broadway acts, there will be several celebrity performers on tonight’s playbill, along with host Hugh Jackman. Sting will be giving a performance for new show “The Last Ship,” Jennifer Hudson will be singing on behalf of “Finding Neverland,” and Neil Patrick Harris will be performing a song from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight will also join Fantasia on stage to perform “After Midnight.”
2. There Is a Long List of A-List Presenters
CBS has released a list of the Tony Awards presenters for this year:
Kevin Bacon, Matt Bomer, Wayne Brady, Zach Braff, Kenneth Branagh, Patricia Clarkson, Bradley Cooper, Fran Drescher, Clint Eastwood, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Vera Farmiga, Will Ferrell, Tony Goldwyn, Anna Gunn, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Carole King, Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu, Kate Mara, Tony nominee Audra McDonald, Leighton Meester, Alessandro Nivola, Zachary Quinto, Emmy Rossum and Liev Schreiber will make appearances on the awards show, which honors theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway.
Other stars who will show up include Orlando Bloom, Tina Fey, Barrett Foa, Jonathan Groff, T.I., LL COOL J, Samuel L. Jackson, Judith Light, Rosie O’Donnell and Patrick Wilson.
3. Several Live Streams Are Available
CBS, Stage17 TV, and TonyAwards.com will all be offering live stream footage of the Tony Awards. Some will include red carpet arrivals, beginning at 6:00 p.m. EST, while others will be just the actual show. For more information on the show’s start time and the live stream videos, check out the above link.
4. “Wicked” Will Be Celebrating Its 10th Anniversary
There will be several debuts of upcoming musicals like “The Last Ship” and “Finding Neverland,” but that doesn’t make us forget about the shows that have been there for us for years. Tonight, Alan Cumming will be performing a piece from “Cabaret,” which has returned to Broadway, with Cumming reprising his famous role as the emcee. And, as a special treat, there will be a performance from “Wicked.” CBS writes:
The cast of “Wicked” will return to Radio City Music Hall for the first time since 2004, when they won three Tony Awards. They will take the stage once again for a very special performance to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary.
5. Four Contenders Are Competing for Best Musical This Year
At this year’s Tony Awards, the competition for Best Musical consists of “Aladdin,” “After Midnight,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”