The arty and original
NEW YORK — The arty and original “Hadestown,” which takes place in the underworld of Greek mythology, was leading the Tony Awards with five wins, while the legendary Elaine May took home her first ever Tony. The 87-year-old May, who made audiences roar with laughter in her 1960 Broadway debut, “An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May,” won Sunday for best leading actress, playing the Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandmother in Kenneth Lonergan’s comic drama “The Waverly Gallery.”Andre DeShields captured featured actor in a musical for “Hadestown,” and gave shoutout to his hometown as he picked up his trophy for playing Hermes in singer-songwriter Anas Mitchell’s folk-opera that intertwines the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone.”Baltimore Maryland, are you in the house? I hope you’re watching at home because I am making good on my promise that I would come to New York and become someone you would be proud to call your native son,” said the 73-year-old as he won his first Tony. Host James Corden kicked off the telecast with a massive, nine-minute opening musical number that served as a full-throated endorsement of the live experience. He started seated alone on a couch in front of a TV, overwhelmed by his binge options, before taking flight with dozens of glitzy dancers from this season’s shows, all filling the Radio City stage with a remarkable volume.
