Last night, openly gay actor and comedian Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 65th annual Tony Awards from the Beacon Theater in New York City. Among prominent winners, including best musical “The Book of Mormon” and best play “Warhorse,” Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking play “The Normal Heart” shone with big wins for female lead Ellen Barkin and male lead John Benjamin Hickey. Kramer was also honored with the award for best revival.
In an awards show replete with comic fare – all courtesy of Harris and initiated with an opening number pronouncing Broadway “not just for gays anymore” – “The Normal Heart” provided a sober yet still celebratory counterpoint with its look back at the advent of the AIDS crisis in 1985.
“The Book of Mormon” made the biggest sweep at this year’s Tony Awards, taking home 9 wins. Highlights of the evening’s show included performances from cast and company members involved in the night’s nominees for best musical and a surprise rendition of “It’s Raining Men” by the Broadway cast of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”
For a complete list of nominees and winners, visit CBS’ Tony Awards homepage.
