Ep 1. The 59th Annual Tony Awards
- June 5, 2005
On June 5, 2005, Broadway's best gathered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 59th Annual Tony Awards. The show was hosted by award-winning actors Hugh Jackman and Sara Ramirez.
The night showcased performances from a variety of Broadway shows, including Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Monty Python's Spamalot. The opening number featured Jackman performing a rap about the theatrical season, and the audience was also treated to musical numbers from the classic productions of The Light in the Piazza and Sweet Charity.
The evening's most significant honor, the Best Musical award, went to Monty Python's Spamalot, which tells the tale of King Arthur and his knights. The production received a total of fourteen nominations and took home three awards, including Best Director of a Musical for Mike Nichols and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Sara Ramirez.
The Best Play award went to Doubt: A Parable, written by John Patrick Shanley. The play explores themes of faith and morality and features a powerhouse cast, including Cherry Jones, Brian F. O'Byrne, Heather Goldenhersh, and Adriane Lenox. The production received five nominations and took home four awards, including Best Actress in a Play for Jones and Best Supporting Actress in a Play for Lenox.
Other notable winners of the night include Norbert Leo Butz, who won Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The show, which was based on the 1988 film of the same name, also won the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Sherie Rene Scott.
The award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play went to Adrienne Lenox for Doubt, while Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play went to Liev Schreiber for his portrayal of Richard Roma in the revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross.
Throughout the night, the Tony Awards also honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the theatre community. This year's honorees include James M. Nederlander, who received the Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre award, and Theodore S. Chapin, who received the Isabelle Stevenson Award for his philanthropic work.
The 59th Annual Tony Awards was a night to remember for the Broadway community, celebrating the best productions of the year and honoring those who have made significant contributions to the theatre world. The night was filled with performances, poignant speeches, and plenty of surprises, making it a must-watch event for lovers of the arts.
