In a momentous night for Broadway, “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe secured his first-ever Tony Award at the prestigious ceremony held in New York on Sunday. Radcliffe received the award for Best Actor in a Musical for his compelling performance in the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.”
A Triumphant Night for Radcliffe
Radcliffe, 34, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, expressing his gratitude and love. “My love Erin, you and our son are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you so much, thank you so much,” he said, acknowledging his girlfriend Erin Darke. He also took a moment to wish his father a happy Father’s Day and thanked his parents for introducing him to Sondheim’s work. Radcliffe described his experience in the play as “one of the best experiences of my life.”
Broadway Celebrates Outstanding Talent
The revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” was a standout, clinching three additional awards and celebrating the best of Broadway. Jonathan Groff, a co-star in the musical, also won his first Tony Award. In his acceptance speech, Groff praised Radcliffe and fellow co-star Lindsay Mendez, calling them “soulmates” and expressing his excitement for their futures together.
Angelina Jolie’s Triumph and Emotional Wins
Angelina Jolie also marked her first Tony win as a producer of “The Outsiders,” which was named Best Musical. Joined by her daughter Vivienne, Jolie shared the stage with Director Danya Taymor, who highlighted the support of “great women” in her life. The musical, based on SE Hinton’s book, garnered a total of four awards, including the coveted Best Musical.
Inspirational Moments and Emotional Speeches
The evening was filled with emotional speeches and inspirational moments. Theatre veteran Kecia Lewis, who won for Featured Actress in the musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” shared her heartfelt journey. “This moment is the one I dreamed for most of those 40 years,” she said, urging perseverance in the face of challenges.
Historic Wins and Performances
“Stereophonic,” the most nominated play in Tony history with 13 nods, won five awards, including Best Play. Playwright David Adjmi emphasised the need for more arts funding in his acceptance speech. Jeremy Strong, known for his role in “Succession,” won his first Tony for Lead Actor in a Play for “An Enemy of the People,” highlighting the play’s timely environmental message.
Sarah Paulson’s Major Achievement
Sarah Paulson won Best Actress in a Lead Role for the revival of “Appropriate,” beating out heavyweights like Rachel McAdams and Jessica Lange. This win brings Paulson halfway to achieving EGOT status, having previously won an Emmy in 2016.
Memorable Performances
The ceremony also featured a touching in-memoriam performance by Nicole Scherzinger, who honored theatre stars who have passed away, including Sir Michael Gambon, Glenda Jackson, and Bill Kenwright, alongside US actors Louis Gossett Jr. and Ron Cephas Jones.
The 2024 Tony Awards was a night to remember, celebrating the remarkable talent and hard work of the Broadway community. With standout performances and heartfelt speeches, it highlighted the enduring magic of theatre.
