And the Winner is....

At this year's Tony Awards, the real winner was the awards show itself. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the show, which in past years was devoid of a host and any real personality of its own, took a step toward regaining some of the fun and passion infused in days past by former host Rosie O'Donnell. In a year where most of the offerings, except in the category of Revival of a Musical, were less than exciting and made for rather predictable winners, the show really needed to exude some enthusiasm if it had any hopes of moving potential ticketbuyers to the box office.
While I would have preferred to see the producers turn Ms. Goldberg's humor loose instead of molding it into some poorly written and corny bits, the filmed segments placing her in the casts of shows at least gave reason for chuckle. Bring her back next year and let her fly!
The acceptance speeches, too often turned into political platforms at awards shows, were devoid of agendas and were diverse and interesting, from Best Leading Actor in a Play Mark Rylance's nonsensical ramblings to Best Score recipeint Lin-Manuel Miranda's rap.
Here's a list of this year's winners:

Best Play
"August: Osage County"
Author: Tracy Letts
Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler, Jerry Frankel, Ostar Productions, Jennifer Manocherian, The Weinstein Company, Debra Black/Daryl Roth, Ronald & Marc Frankel/Barbara Freitag, Rick Steiner/Staton Bell Group, The Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Best Musical
"In The Heights"
Producers: Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman, Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine, Everett/Skipper

Best Book of a Musical
"Passing Strange" - Stew

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
"In The Heights" - Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Best Revival of a Play
"Boeing-Boeing"
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Boyett, Act Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert G. Bartner, The Weinstein Company, Susan Gallin/Mary Lu Roffe, Broadway Across America, Tulchin/Jenkins/DSM, The Araca Group

Best Revival of a Musical
"South Pacific"
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Bernard Gersten, Bob Boyett

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Mark Rylance, "Boeing-Boeing"

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Deanna Dunagan, "August: Osage County"

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
Paulo Szot, "South Pacific"

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Patti LuPone, "Gypsy"

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
Jim Norton, "The Seafarer"

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Rondi Reed, "August: Osage County"

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Boyd Gaines, "Gypsy"

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Laura Benanti, "Gypsy"

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Todd Rosenthal, "August: Osage County"

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Michael Yeargan, "South Pacific"

Best Costume Design of a Play
Katrina Lindsay, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Catherine Zuber, "South Pacific"

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Kevin Adams, "The 39 Steps"

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Donald Holder, "South Pacific"

Best Sound Design of a Play
Mic Pool, "The 39 Steps"

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Scott Lehrer, "South Pacific"

Best Direction of a Play
Anna D. Shapiro, "August: Osage County"

Best Direction of a Musical
Bartlett Sher, South Pacific

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, "In The Heights"

Best Orchestrations
Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman, "In The Heights"


Regional Theatre Tony Award
Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Special Tony Award
Robert Russell Bennett (1894-1981), in recognition of his historic contribution to American musical theatre in the field of orchestrations, as represented on Broadway this season by "South Pacific."
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Stephen Sondheim