John Lithgow and Lesley Manville Top Tony Award Winners
John Lithgow and Lesley Manville lead – The Tony Awards, which honor the finest achievements in American theater from the previous year, saw John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, and Laurie Metcalf stand out among the evening’s most celebrated performers. Lithgow, at 80 years old, made history by becoming the oldest male actor to secure a Tony Award for his role as author Roald Dahl in the play *Giant*. This achievement came over five decades after his initial Tony win, which occurred in 1972 for his performance in *Changing Rooms*.
Historic Moment for Lithgow
Speaking during his acceptance speech, Lithgow humorously referred to his two Tony wins as “bookends” separated by 53 years. He credited the countless theater professionals he had collaborated with over the years, calling the current moment “one of the best” in his career.
“I have worked with hundreds of just fantastic theatre artists. I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic moments on the stage, but I have to tell you right now, this moment has got to be one of the best.”
Manville, a British actress, claimed her first Tony Award for her portrayal of Jocasta in the Greek tragedy *Oedipus*. She expressed her surprise, noting that this was her first time on Broadway, and highlighted her gratitude to fellow nominees Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Susannah Flood, and Kelli O’Hara.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, it was my first time on Broadway so this is such a big deal. Would someone like to write a play for five women? We are quite bankable.”
The wins for Lithgow and Manville mirrored last year’s Olivier Awards, as both productions had premiered in the UK before moving to Broadway. Meanwhile, *Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman* emerged as the night’s dominant force, earning six accolades, including the best revival of a play and the lead actress award for Metcalf.
Metcalfe, an actress known for roles in *Roseanne* and *Lady Bird*, shared a nostalgic memory of her college theater group. “They were Gary Sinise, Moira Harris, Al Wilder, Jeff Perry, Terry Kinney, and John Malkovich,” she said, emphasizing the lasting influence of her early collaborators.
Controversial Producer Makes a Comeback
The ceremony also marked a notable return for producer Scott Rudin, who claimed his first Tony Award since stepping back from Broadway in 2021. Rudin had faced allegations of bullying and abusive behavior, but he acknowledged his “history of troubling interactions with colleagues” and expressed regret for the pain caused.
Although Rudin was absent from the event, the award for best play revival was accepted by actor Nathan Lane, who praised the work of Arthur Miller, the playwright behind the iconic *Death of a Salesman*.
Other Standout Productions
Additional highlights included *Ragtime*, a musical exploring three families’ journey toward the American dream in the early 20th century, and *Schmigadoon!*, a comedy rooted in the golden age of theater, adapted from the Apple TV series. The show’s producer, Christine Schwarzman, joked about the opportunity to adapt the musical after Apple canceled the third season of the TV version.
*The Lost Boys*, a punk-rock musical based on the 1987 cult film, also won two awards. Meanwhile, *Cats: The Jellicle Ball* took home three trophies, and *Liberation*, a feminist drama, was named best play after securing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The event was hosted by singer Pink, who opened the night with a rendition of *Lady Marmalade* that included personalized lyrics referencing several nominees. She described herself as “Broadway’s biggest fan” and praised “the hardest-working people in showbiz.”
