The Year Of Women: Record Wins & Highlights From 2024 Tony Awards

The 2024 Tony Awards will be remembered as a landmark event in the history of Broadway, with women making unprecedented strides in a traditionally male-dominated industry. This year's ceremony not only celebrated the best in theatre but also highlighted the significant contributions of women to the arts, both on and off the stage.

The esteemed gathering at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater witnessed Broadway’s finest celebrated, with seasoned veterans and emerging stars taking centre stage. The evening's performances, heartfelt speeches, and surprising upsets made it a memorable occasion for all attendees.

Women's Groundbreaking Victories In Major Categories

Women dominated the major categories, with historic wins that highlighted their talent, creativity, and leadership in the theatre world. The highlight of the evening was the Best Director award, which went to Maria Torres for her innovative and powerful direction of the groundbreaking musical "Voices of Change." Torres's win marks the first time a Latina has received this prestigious award, setting a new standard for diversity and excellence on Broadway.

Equally significant was the Best Play award, won by "The Matriarchs," a heart-touching and powerful narrative written by renowned playwright Sarah Parker. This win showcased not only Parker's exceptional writing skills but also the importance of stories centred on women's experiences and perspectives.

Among the highlights was the triumph of The Outsiders, a gritty adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic novel, which secured the Tony Award for Best New Musical. Set in 1960s Oklahoma, The Outsiders digs into the lives of rival gangs, the Socs and the Greasers, exploring themes of love, family, and societal division. Angelina Jolie, a producer of the show, celebrated her first Tony win, adding another accolade to her illustrious career. During the acceptance speech, producer Matthew Rego expressed deep gratitude to S.E. Hinton, who was present in the audience, acknowledging the timeless relevance of her story.

Hillary Clinton may have been a senator, secretary of state, and first lady, but she's also a bonafide theatre geek, which is why she received one of the night's warmest standing ovations. However, she was now appearing as a producer, introducing "Suffs," Shaina Taub's historical musical about early-twentieth-century suffragettes. "I know a little bit about how hard it is to make change," Clinton said with a wink. She continued: "Now it is an election year, and we need to be reminded how important it is to vote."

When Kecia Lewis stepped onto the stage to accept her award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, she was radiant. Her victory is the pinnacle of a 40-year career that began with her Broadway debut at the age of 18 in "Dreamgirls." Lewis won for her role as an inspiring piano teacher in Alicia Keys' musical "Hell's Kitchen," where she delivers a showstopping performance of "Perfect Way to Die," a powerful ballad addressing police brutality and racism against Black Americans. On Sunday night, as she swatted away a flurry of congratulatory messages on her phone—exclaiming, "People, stop texting me!"—Lewis used her acceptance speech to impart some heartfelt advice: "To everyone who can hear my voice, don’t give up."

Taub also emerged as a prominent figure of the night, making history with her dual win for "Suffs," a musical inspired by the suffragist movement. Taub clinched the awards for Best Score (music) and Best Book (dialogue) of a Musical, becoming the first woman to ever achieve this feat. In her interview with Playbill, Taub reflected on her journey as a multifaceted creative.

"Early in my career, I was like, ‘Okay I’m acting, okay I’m composing, maybe I need to pick a box, [I’m] trying to do too much, people are going to think I’m a jack of all trades master of none,’ whatever," she shared. "But I saw so many male creatives, wonderful male creatives, never question the fact that they were multi-hyphenate." She further elaborated on embracing her multi-hyphenate nature: "[W]hen I finally started to embrace that I was a multi-hyphenate – as a feature, not a bug – I finally started making my best work and getting the best opportunities that I’d had."

Dede Ayite also made history as the first Black person to win for costume design in a play. Her exceptional work on "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" earned her this distinguished honour. Ayite's nomination for her designs in "Appropriate" and Alicia Keys' jukebox musical "Hell’s Kitchen" underscored her versatility and talent. In her Playbill interview, Ayite expressed the significance of her win: "I’m hoping [this victory] inspires … younger designers to know when it feels impossible, even when they’re unsure, to just keep moving forward."

Actress Kara Young added to the night's celebration of Black female excellence with her Tony Award win for her performance in the three-act comedy "Purlie Victorious." Young's victory was especially moving, as she became the first Black woman nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play for three consecutive years.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Young acknowledged those who paved the way before her. "Thank you to my ancestors, the women who I come from, the people who I come from," she said, with particular mention of her great-grandmother, Hazel Baptist, who witnessed the show before her passing. Young concluded with a powerful message: "This is to the vibration of the liberation for humanity."

Maleah Joi Moon, a newcomer, won Best Leading Actress for her role in "Hell’s Kitchen," outshining veteran actress Kelli O’Hara. At just 21, Moon dedicated her award to her parents, marking a significant moment in her rising career.

Female directors received seven out of ten directing nominations, with Danya Taymor winning for "The Outsiders," becoming the sixth woman to secure this honor. Taymor's compelling direction, especially her innovative fight scenes, captivated audiences and critics alike.

Stellar Performances and Unforgettable Speeches

The awards ceremony opened with a dynamic performance from "Hell's Kitchen," featuring Kecia Lewis and Maleah Joi Moon, followed by Alicia Keys delivering a stirring rendition of "Empire State of Mind" alongside Jay-Z

The ceremony also featured stellar performances that enthralled the audience and showcased the diverse talents of the theatre community. One of the most talked-about performances was the opening number by the cast of "Her Story," a musical that tells the tales of influential women throughout history. The performance received a standing ovation, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to celebrating women's achievements..

Acceptance speeches throughout the night were filled with emotion and inspiration. Notably, actress Angela Williams, who won Best Actress for her role in "Rising Above," delivered a powerful speech that resonated with many. "This award is not just for me, but for every woman who has ever been told she is not enough," Williams said, her voice filled with emotion.

Daniel Radcliffe, known globally as Harry Potter, won his first Tony for his role in "Merrily We Roll Along," expressing profound gratitude for the experience. His co-star, Jonathan Groff, also moved the audience with his emotional tribute to his supportive family.

Highlights also included Eddie Redmayne's intense rendition of "Willkommen" from "Cabaret," Pete Townshend playing guitar for "The Who’s Tommy," and a dramatic sequence from "The Outsiders" featuring water, dirt, and an onstage truck. The evening also teased future productions, with Nicole Scherzinger slated to star in a "Sunset Boulevard" revival and Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren announced for the 2025 production of "The Last Five Years."

Nicole Scherzinger performed "What I Did for Love" during the In Memoriam segment, honoring the memories of Christopher Durang, Alan Arkin, Glenda Jackson, Louis Gossett Jr., and Treat Williams. 

A Tribute to Chita Rivera

The ceremony included a special tribute to the legendary Chita Rivera, with performances of her iconic roles in "Chicago," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and "West Side Story." Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Bebe Neuwirth honored Rivera, while Ariana DeBose, an Oscar winner for her role in "West Side Story," joined in the celebration.

The Complete List of Winners

Best Musical: "The Outsiders"
Best Play: "Stereophonic"
Best Revival of a Musical: "Merrily We Roll Along"
Best Revival of a Play: "Appropriate"
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Maleah Joi Moon, "Hell’s Kitchen"
Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Jonathan Groff, "Merrily We Roll Along"
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Sarah Paulson, "Appropriate"
Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Jeremy Strong, "An Enemy of the People"
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Daniel Radcliffe, "Merrily We Roll Along"
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Kecia Lewis, "Hell’s Kitchen"
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Will Brill, "Stereophonic"
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Kara Young, "Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch"
Best Direction of a Play: Daniel Aukin, "Stereophonic"
Best Direction of a Musical: Danya Taymor, "The Outsiders"
Best Original Score: "Suffs," music & lyrics by Shaina Taub
Best Book of a Musical: "Suffs," Shaina Taub
Best Choreography: Justin Peck, "Illinoise"
Best Costume Design of a Play: Dede Ayite, "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding"
Best Costume Design of a Musical: Linda Cho, "The Great Gatsby"
Best Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick, "Merrily We Roll Along"
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Tom Scutt, "Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club"
Best Scenic Design of a Play: David Zinn, "Stereophonic"
Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Hana S. Kim and Brian MacDevitt, "The Outsiders"
Best Lighting Design of a Play: Jane Cox, "Appropriate"
Best Sound Design of a Play: Ryan Rumery, "Stereophonic"
Best Sound Design of a Musical: Cody Spencer, "The Outsiders"

With historic wins, powerful performances, and heartfelt tributes, The 2024 Tony Awards showcased the best of what the theatre world has to offer, promising an exciting future for audiences and artists alike.