In a neck-and-neck race, the fantastic new musical “The Outsiders” ultimately took home the coveted Best Musical trophy at the Tony Awards, honoring the best of Broadway, at Lincoln Center.
They weren’t outsiders on Sunday night.
In a neck-and-neck race, the fantastic new musical “The Outsiders” ultimately took home the coveted Best Musical trophy at the Tony Awards, honoring the best of Broadway, at Lincoln Center.
Most pundits (not me!) predicted Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical piece “Hell’s Kitchen,” which is also a fun night out, would emerge victorious.
Nope. Despite Keys’ aggressive campaigning, the innovation and pounding heart of “The Outsiders,” based on S.E. Hinton’s classic novel about warring gangs in Oklahoma, won over Tony voters during a crowded season of 15 new musicals. Too many, really.
The race for Best Musical went right down to the final seconds of the ceremony.
Early in the evening, nothing emerged as a juggernaut. “The Outsiders” inched ahead with awards for lighting and sound, and “Suffs”’ composer and star Shaina Taub took Best Book.
Then, in the biggest shocker of the night, “Outsiders” director Danya Taymor clobbered the assumed winner Maria Friedman, of “Merrily We Roll Along,” in the Best Director category. The Greasers and Socs were waltzing to the finish line.
Then — boom —“Suffs” grabbed Best Score, leading to a nail-biter. But “Outsiders” nevertheless came out on top, with four Tonys.
