In a night brimming with heartfelt speeches and historic victories, Daniel Radcliffe captivated the audience at the Tony Awards with an emotional acceptance speech. The ceremony, held in New York City, celebrated the best of Broadway, and Radcliffe’s win for Best Actor in a Musical was a highlight of the evening.
Radcliffe, widely recognized for his iconic role as Harry Potter, won the Tony for his performance in the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” The musical, which secured four awards in total, has been praised for its vibrant revival. During his acceptance speech, the 34-year-old actor expressed deep gratitude, wishing his father a happy Father’s Day and thanking his girlfriend, Erin Darke, and their son. He called them “the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Radcliffe also shared a touching memory of his parents playing Sondheim’s music in the car, describing the play as “one of the best experiences of my life.” His co-star, Jonathan Groff, also won his first Tony for his performance in the musical. In his speech, Groff praised Radcliffe and fellow co-star Lindsay Mendez, calling them “soulmates” and expressing excitement for their continued journey together.
Angelina Jolie also took home her first Tony Award for producing “The Outsiders,” which was named Best Musical. The production, based on S.E. Hinton’s novel, explores the conflicts between two rival gangs of white Americans divided by socioeconomic status. It won a total of four awards out of twelve nominations. Jolie, joined on stage by her 15-year-old daughter, Vivienne, was praised by the production’s director, Danya Taymor, who acknowledged the “great women who have lifted me up” in her acceptance speech.
Despite stiff competition from “Hell’s Kitchen,” a semi-autobiographical musical by Alicia Keys, “The Outsiders” triumphed. “Hell’s Kitchen” received 13 nominations and secured two wins, including a featured actress award for veteran Kecia Lewis. In an emotional speech, Lewis reflected on her 40-year career in Broadway, sharing her journey from starting at the Imperial Theatre at 18 to winning her first Tony. Alicia Keys and Jay-Z performed their hit song “Empire State of Mind” as a tribute to New York, bringing the audience to their feet.
“Stereophonic,” the most nominated play in Tony history with 13 nods, took home five awards, including Best Play. Playwright David Adjmi, in his acceptance speech, emphasized the need for more funding in the arts, highlighting the difficulties of sustaining a career in this field. The play, set in the 1970s, follows a fictional rock band as they produce an album, capturing the era’s cultural and musical transformations.
Jeremy Strong, known for his role as Kendall Roy in “Succession,” won his first Tony for Lead Actor in a Play for his role in “An Enemy of the People.” Strong described Henrik Ibsen’s environmental cautionary tale as “a cry from the heart,” addressing contemporary environmental issues. Sarah Paulson also celebrated her first Tony win, taking home the award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for her performance in the revival of “Appropriate.” The play, a darkly comic drama, delves into the tumultuous dynamics of a family dealing with their father’s inheritance. Paulson, who has previously won an Emmy, is now halfway to achieving EGOT status.
The ceremony included a moving in-memoriam segment, featuring performances by US star Nicole Scherzinger, who recently triumphed at the Olivier Awards for her role in “Sunset Boulevard.” The segment honored theatre legends who passed away, including British stars Sir Michael Gambon, Glenda Jackson, and Bill Kenwright, as well as US actors Louis Gossett Jr. and Ron Cephas Jones.
The 2024 Tony Awards was a night of firsts and heartfelt tributes. From Daniel Radcliffe and Angelina Jolie’s significant wins to the touching in-memoriam segment, the ceremony showcased the vibrant, resilient spirit of Broadway. As theatre continues to evolve, these wins mark significant milestones in the careers of the stars and serve as an inspiration for future generations in the arts.
