Live from the 2006 Tony Awards Press Room
8:27pm
Our first guest: Ian McDiarmid, winner of Best Featured Actor in a Play for Faith Healer. The dapper Brit gave a tutorial in how to pronounce his last name McDermed and explained why he wears a red combover wig for his role at Ralph Fiennes' manager he felt that the character would be vain enough to dye his hair. Since Broadway.com had been among the first to interview McDiarmid and recommended that he go tux shopping, we couldn't resist asking where he got his classic suit. McDiarmid replied that because he bought the suit himself at a shop in Soho not specifying whether he meant the one in New York or London he didn't want to advertise the brand. Awww!
8:43pm
Frances de la Tour and Nicholas Hytner took the podium together, looking spiffy in all black a tailored black satin shirt and long skirt topped by a beaded jacket for her, setting off her bright red nails; a beautifully cut black suit and black and gray striped tie for him. Hytner diverted questions about the possible sweep of British plays and actors, emphasizing that 12 American shows will be coming to London in the next season, including Caroline, or Change at the National Theater, which he runs. Asked about being the only woman in a cast of mostly young men, de la Tour said, "I'm a bit like a mother to them, but they also treat me as if I'm younger." Hytner interjected: "They call her J.Lo."
9:03pm
The creative team of The Drowsy Chaperone took the stage in the press room just as the Jersey Boys were performing their fantastic production number across the street; John Lloyd Young could be seen singing silently on both sides of Bob Martin and his colleagues on the dinky TVs set up for the press to watch. There are a surprisingly large group of Canadian journalists on hand, one waving a Canadian flag and another urging the Drowsy folks to look into her camera and "wave to Canada." Lisa Lambert said the highlight for her was getting the award from Barbara Cook and fellow Canadian Paul Shaffer. Martin noted that the longest-running show from Canada before Drowsy ran for 12 performances, so he already feels like a big success.
9:41pm
Humble and charming John Doyle insisted he never expected to achieve Tony-winning success with his revival of Sweeney Todd, pointing out that he has directed more than 200 shows in regional theater in England. "I often talk about taking the Broadway out of a Broadway musical," he said, pointing out that the original British production was done in a space not much bigger than the podium he was standing on in the press room no bigger than 15 feet by 30 feet. "It's a theatrical style born out of no cash." Asked about the forthcoming Broadway transfer of Company, he cited the extraordinary work ethic and loyal audience he found in Cincinnati and said he was amazed at the depth of talent among American actors. "They come in with trolleys filled with instruments they can play," he said . Doyle added that there's no plan to move his acclaimed West End revival of Mack and Mabel or his upcoming revival of Amadeus to New York. "I personally never see beyond the first week of rehearsal," he insisted.
9:49pm
Beth Leavel, who glowed like a disco ball in her Escada gown, sent a shout-out to her parents in North Carolina, Lynn and Ruby Leavel. She declared her current character "is worse" than Dorothy Brock, another diva she had played in 42nd Street. Asked if she is anything like her Drowsy character, she teased, "I'm beginning to wonder how different I really am from her." She credited director Casey Nicholaw with giving her permission to embrace her inner diva. Leavel's delight in this recognition after a long career in supporting roles was apparent.
10:40pm
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11:45pm
Final Thoughts
First surprise win of the night: Christian Hoff in Jersey Boys. Most of the prognosticators had predicted Jim Dale. His teary speech woke up the room! Yea, Christian! "I was not expecting this. By no means," he said when he took the stage in the evening's best tie silvery white, with a diamond pattern. "I didn't prepare a speech because I didn't want to jinx it." Explaining his remarks in his speech crediting his wife, actress Melissa Hoff, with saving his life, Hoff said, "I've had a rocky divorce and tough situation in my life." He began acting at age eight and noted that he and Drowsy Chaperone director Casey Nicholaw and Brian Stokes Mitchell all started out together in the same junior theater troupe as children.
Second surprise of the night: The Pajama Game as Best Revival. Apparently honoring Sweeney's director and orchestrator was enough recognition for the Tony voters. Roundabout Theater Company head Todd Haimes credited Kathleen Marshall's lively direction and the "extraordinary" chemistry between Kelli O'Hara and Harry Connick Jr. for "taking this musical that a lot of people thought was corny and making it fresh." Haimes declared himself "happily surprised" at the win. "I'm a half empty kind of guy; I have to honestly say that I was surprised. I kind of thought Pajama Game wouldn't get it because everyone was so enamored of the extraordinary revival of Sweeney Todd—but I think we deserve it!"
Cynthia Nixon, stunning in a white J Mendel Greek column, said she is looking forward to starring in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie this fall with director Scott Elliott. "He directed The Women, which I did in 2001." But first, she's ready to celebrate: "I am very much looking forward to the party! I don't know a lot of people at the awards shows in California, but I know everyone here. I intend to be the last person to leave." Asked about the spate of British winners, she said, "Thank god for the Roundabout and the Manhattan Theatre Club or there wouldn't be any new American plays on Broadway."
A huge disadvantage of being in the press room is having your attention divided between the luminaries who are in front of you in the flesh and the acceptance speeches being given on the screen. While listening to Christian Hoff talk about his kids, we missed seeing Cynthia Nixon kiss her girlfriend and Richard Griffiths' Best Actor speech. Journalists were given infrared headsets so we could listen to the telecast silently while winners answered questions from the podium. I must admit that I tuned out the gracious Alan Bennett, author of The History Boys, because I was so eager to hear John Lloyd Young and LaChanze accept their awards in real time rather than watching them later on tape. The last half hour of the telecast really sprang to life, and I wanted to see it!
John Lloyd Young received a warm ovation when entering the press room. "Brotherhood is a theme backstage," he said of his show. Asked about his relationship with Frankie Valli, he said, "Having him in the audience tonight was a wonderful feeling. He was in the audience last night at the August Wilson Theater, and it's like having an uncle supporting you." The Jersey Boys have been performing all over town, and they've got a big engagement coming up 12 hours from now: "We're going to the White House! We're leaving our party at 1:30 in the morning to perform at Laura Bush's luncheon for the spouses of the senators. It's a great honor." Young defended Jersey Boys as a biography of a singing group rather than a so-called jukebox musical. "The reason for the story is the music we all know." The star said he had no idea what he might do next. "I would love to originate another role," he offered. But he's in no hurry. "It's irresistible to play a rock star."
Producer Michael David was asked to compare the experience of presenting Jersey Boys with that of last season's notorious Beach Boys flop Good Vibrations. "You take them one at a time," he said. "I've never truly understood the 'jukebox musical' moniker." He sounded a philosophical note: "This one has been more than we thought. Others have been less. I state the obvious when I tell you it's more fun to be around a hit than not." Asked about the status of the Dodger Theatricals, he said, We're a smaller company now, which feels good." Next up: a "wacko" version of The Wiz directed by frequent Dodger collaborator Des McAnuff.
Speaking of Des McAnuff, someone asked the Jersey Boys director whether his show is the first rock-based show to win Best Musical. Much head-scratching ensued. McAnuff mentioned his first Tony show, Big River, which had a country score. Like other speakers who came before, he decried the "jukebox musical" term. "The thing I've learned is that there is no recipe for creating a successful musical. You need to keep your mind open. The American musical is about eclecticism. I try to keep myself switched on and alert." Asked about Zhivago, currently being performed at his home theater in La Jolla, McAnuff called it "in its early stages" and praised Lucy Simon's score. He also said he would like to see Billy Crystal do a musical. His new production of The Wiz will be set in 2006 and have a playful air. McAnuff admitted he wasn't sure Jersey Boys would take home the best musical prize: "I think I was worried that there's a prejudice against the show because of how it was made, so I was thrilled. I won best director for Tommy and we lost best musical, and this is much, much sweeter."
A small but hardy group of reporters hung in for LaChanze's arrival in the press room. She was truly the evening's biggest surprise winner, taking home the only prize awarded to The Color Purple, and she was cheered heartily as she took the podium in a stunning white vintage Pertegaz dress. The first questioner noted that film of The Color Purple had gotten multiple Oscar nomination but gone home empty-handed. LaChanze expressed relief that her win had helped the musical avoid a similar fate. She revealed that Alice Walker had removed a ring she was wearing and presented it to LaChanze after the first reading of the show, and LaChanze wore the ring to the Tonys as a good-luck charm. And yes, she admitted, she was surprised to win: "I still can't believe it, because I am a huge fan of Patti LuPone, Kelli O'Hara, Sutton Foster, and Chita Rivera. I am still shocked that I am walking away with the trophy. We are all deserving, but I am happy I got it!" She said she'll stay withThe Color Purple until November 1.
The Tonys have more of a family feeling than most awards shows; everyone in the industry knows everyone else. Because of that, the winners were extremely generous and knowledgable in talking about the merits of the competition. The best part of being in that room was seeing the look of joy on the winners' faces as they shared their initial reactions and clutched their cherished awards. Theater people understand the history and importance of the Tonys, and the parade of first-time winners—from newcomers like John Lloyd Young and Ian McDiarmid to Broadway veterans like Cynthia Nixon, Beth Leavel and LaChanze—underscored again how meaningful the Tony is to every winner. Now I can't wait to watch the telecast from start to finish and see everything I missed!