The parties celebrating Broadway’s biggest night of the year are always full of glitz and glamour, and the Observer was there to witness it all. It’s also a chance for the night’s winners to dine after a fun-filled 24 hours. There is a morning dress rehearsal, walker and red carpet to go through before the award show begins. that’s why Joshua Henrythe star of Rag timekicked off his night before the 79th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall with tacos from Birria before picking up the coveted trophy for Best Actor in a Musical later that evening.
While preparing for the green carpet across the city, a special pre-show reception on the 11th floor of Edition Hotel kicked off the celebrations. Elegant towers of shrimp cocktail, trays of sushi, oysters and caviar are piled on square white plates. Just in time star Carrie St. Louiswearing a black and white strapless dress accessorized with long black satin gloves, she belted out two songs including “Don’t Rain on My Parade” to the intimate crowd of 50 people. A pianist played shows as Chanel lipsticks and Leatherology wallets were snapped up by guests and Alisa Maxim Studio offered live fashion sketches.
After Pink’s breakout performance as host—and a stellar opening number that went down in the history books as one of the greatest ever, multiple sequin costume changes and a stunning performance of “All That Jazz” toasted Chicago30th anniversary—crowds quickly dispersed at parties around Manhattan. Silver ticket holders made the trek to The Rink at Rockefeller Center for the official Tony Awards party.
Those who didn’t have one joined the line that formed outside the Pebble Bar. Rachel Zeglerwho 30 minutes earlier held a 50th anniversary celebration Chorus Linechanged into a slinky lavender silk dress to welcome guests up on the fourth floor for Late Night at the Pebble Bar, an annual post-Tony tradition. “It was really amazing,” said successful actor Olivier, returning to Broadway Evita next season, he told the Observer about attending his first Tony Awards. “It’s a really nice place.” Laurie Metcalfwinner of Best Featured Actress in a Play for Arthur Miller‘s Death of a Salesmanhe was already on the sofa with a gin, cucumber and lime cocktail in his hand. His Tony Award was on the table. His star Nathan Lane he soon joined in and both of them were in deep conversation for at least 10 minutes. Small hotdogs are passed down as two-time Tony Award winners Kara Young screamed the hug Colman Domingo. A regular at the Pebble Bar party Sarah Paulson he stayed connected to his former self It’s worth it star Ella Beattywhile Glee‘s Chris Colfer holding an electric fan in front of his face. Julianne HoughDressed in pure white, she was swarmed by photographers as soon as she entered. Becky Shaw stars Madeline Brewer again Lauren Patten once Miriam Silverman they ride the elevator down together to go to the next soiree.
Nathan Lane and Rachel Zegler
Laurie Metcalf and Colman Domingo
Sarah Paulson and Ella Beatty
Nicole Scherzinger
Leigh Scheps and Kara Young
Julianne Hough, Rose Schaeffer and Tyler Lain
Arian Moayed and Jamie Lloyd
Uptown, the cast of Rag time celebrated its Best Revival of a Musical win at Rosa Mexicano at Lincoln Center. Its leaders, Joshua Henry and Caissie Levywho won the award for Best Actress in a Musical, was swept away to a private room to spend time with family and friends. Endless margaritas and a buffet of rice, beans, quesadillas and all the fixings.
Lynn Ahrens and Lear deBessonet
Caissie Levy
Joshua Henry
Lynn Ahrens
Currently, Schmigadoon! they won four Tony Awards including Best Musical at the Ascent Lounge at The Shops at Columbus Circle.
Isabelle McCalla
Alex Brightman
Ann Harada
McKenzie Kurtz
By 2 am all of Broadway had gathered at one of the most popular parties of the night. Almost every celebrity on Broadway this season was spotted at the 14th Tony Awards After Party at The Carlyle, this year hosted by theater broadcaster DKC/O&M. Rick Miramontezher husband and the merchant Jamie DuMont and Broadway producer John Gore. To celebrate, a giant human-shaped cake in the shape of a Tony Award portrait—sanctioned by the Tony Awards itself—was displayed on the second floor of the luxury hotel, perfect for selfies. The famous night fête featured a discotheque on the hotel’s mezzanine (Chris Colfer was gigging, now with a paper towel) and a martini bar inside the Cafe Carlyle, owned Oedipus stars Mark Strong again Lesley Manville.
Countless stars appear Jim Parsonswearing a white tuxedo, to Phillips is busydressed in a dark black dress with a giant print on the back, they were walking around with martinis. Bobby Cannavale he had his arm around his wife, Tony’s nominee Rose Byrnesitting on the bench. French fries in paper cups and caviar bites fly off waiters’ trays. Ariana DeBosedrinking blanco tequila, he was galloping at Bemelmans Bar with Phillips and Sarah Paulson. Near, last year’s winner Nicole Scherzinger represents many photographers on the stairs before settling in a dark corner.
There were also two pop culture encounters. Glee‘s Alex Newell, Darren Criss again Kevin McHale they huddled together for a while Harry Potter‘s Daniel Radcliffe again Tom Felton they were having two separate conversations just meters away from each other.
Cole Escola
Sarah Paulson
Read Debessonet
Mark Strong
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
Ali Louis Bourzgui
As for the winners? The Lost Boys star Ali Louis Bourzguiwho won Best Featured Actor in a Musical, was very surprised to win. “I didn’t expect it at all,” he told the Observer. He was also trying to relax with a martini after a whirlwind day that included a matinee performance. His star Shoshana Beanwearing a white strapless dress and a black belt, her phone was tucked into her dress, unable to move as she was attacked by well-wishers. Across the way, Caissie Levy, now in a slinky backless sequin dress, was escorted from photographer to photographer to pick up her new accessory. His first Snow on Broadway star John Riddle she made sure she got her one-on-one time to congratulate her before she was whisked away from her husband’s side.
By 4 am, Criss was playing the piano Elton John‘s “Tiny Dancer.” And Joshua Henry? His belly, once again full and happy, was on the wheels of a dream with a Tony Award in hand.
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