Denzel Washington accepts the Tony for Best Lead Actor in a Play
Nowadays, acting on stage has become an increasingly popular fad among celebrities, something which was proven at last night’s Oscars, er, Tony Awards. As movie star after movie star was called on stage, it was easy to forget that the show was a recognition of Broadway.
Host Sean Hayes opened the 64th annual Tony celebration with his impressive piano playing, accompanied by the stars of Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet. He was later joined by his Promises, Promises co-star Kristin Chenoweth who sang a number from their hit play ans he provided the music on the baby grand. Hayes continued to entertain the audience throughout the night with his infectious sense of humor, especially when he dressed up as different characters such as Annie, Billy Elliot, and even Spiderman. Other entertaining moments included performances from “Glee” stars Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele. Morrison sang and danced to a number from Gypsy, while Michele sang a show stopping rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” which she also performed on the Fox show. Morrison, a former Broadway star, earned a Tony nomination for his role as Fabricio Nacarelli in Adam Guettell’s The Light in the Piazza. Michele also started her career in the theater and starred in Spring Awakening, a play which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2007. This year, the title was given to Memphis, while Red won the award for Best Play.
Although the Tony’s are meant to celebrate Broadway actors, at every turn it seemed like A-list movie stars were taking awards away from more seasoned theater performers. Hollywood celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Scarlett Johanssen were all winners. Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington won the Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his dramatic performance in August Wilson’s Fences. Washington’s co star, Viola Davis, took home the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play. Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones won took home a high honor, winning Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical in A Little Night Music. Johanssen picked up a Tony and was named the Best Featured Actress in a Play for her controversial role in A View From the Bridge, in which she becomes the object of her uncle’s (actor Liev Schreiber’s) unhealthy obsession.
Movie stars acting both on camera and on stage is no new phenomenon. In past years, multitalented actors and actresses such as Julie Andrews, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Antonio Banderas, to name a few, have all succeeded in both. In 2003, for instance, Banderas hung up his Zorro mask to impress theater audiences with his performance as the womanizing Guido Contini in Nine. Another notable performance came from Australian actor Hugh Jackman. Although he is most known for his roles as Wolverine in the X-Men series, Jackman proved he was a superhero on stage as well in The Boy From Oz.
With all of the familiar faces at the Tony Awards, it appears that Broadway is becoming the new Hollywood.
