“The Outsiders” Wins Best Musical at the Tony Awards

“The Outsiders,” a musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton‘s classic coming-of-age novel, triumphed with the Tony Award for Best Musical at Sunday night’s ceremony. This year’s awards were hosted for the first time at New York City’s Lincoln Center by the Tony-nominated and Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose, who also produced and choreographed the opening number.

Danya Taymor won Best Direction of a Musical for “The Outsiders,” surpassing the expected winner, Maria Friedman, who directed “Merrily We Roll Along.” “Merrily We Roll Along,” a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s notable 1981 musical, was awarded Best Revival of a Musical, pleasing both critics and audiences with its revived production.

“Stereophonic,” a play about a 70s rock band making an album, claimed the Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Direction for Daniel Aukin. The play, written by David Adjmi and featuring original songs by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, set a record with the most nominations for a play in Tony Awards history.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Appropriate,” a story about three siblings uncovering family secrets after their father’s death, won Best Revival of a Play. Jonathan Groff secured Best Lead Actor in a Musical for his role in “Merrily We Roll Along,” while Maleah Joi Moon won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance in “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Shaina Taub took home Best Score and Best Book of a Musical for “Suffs,” a musical about the suffragette movement with an all-woman cast. Jeremy Strong of “Succession” fame won Best Lead Actor in a Play for his role in Henrik Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People,” and Daniel Radcliffe won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for “Merrily We Roll Along.”

Sarah Paulson won Best Lead Actress in a Play for “Appropriate,” and Will Brill was awarded Best Featured Actor in a Play for “Stereophonic.” Kecia Lewis, making her Broadway debut 40 years ago in “Dreamgirls,” won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Kara Young made history as the first Black actor to be nominated for a Tony three years in a row, winning Best Featured Actress in a Play for “Purlie Victorious.” Justin Peck received the award for Best Choreography for the dance musical “Illinoise,” based on Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 concept album.

The ceremony also paid tribute to Broadway legend Chita Rivera, who passed away in January at 91, with a dance performance by DeBose, reprising her Oscar-winning role as Anita from “West Side Story.”

During a pre-show event, Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater won Best Regional Theater, and Billy Porter received the Isabelle Stevenson Award for his LGBTQ+ activism. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to director Jack O’Brien and George C. Wolfe, while Special Tony Awards were given to Alex Edelman for “Just For Us,” Abe Jacob for sound design, and Nikiya Mathis for wig design in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.”

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