First produced at Chicago's About Face Theatre, I Am My Own Wife, by Doug Wright, won the Tony Award for Best Play Sunday night in New York. The Goodman Theatre will stage the work next season. Lead Jefferson Mays, who also starred in the Chicago production, won for Best Actor in a Play. He is the sole actor in the play, starring as German transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf and about 40 other characters.
Gay-inclusive Avenue Q won for Best Musical.
Two women in the revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun won Tonys—and Phylicia Rashad was first Black actress to win for a leading dramatic role. Hugh Jackman won for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of entertainer Peter Allen (who died from AIDS in 1992) in The Boy From Oz. 'Peter, it's an honor to play you and I dedicate this Tony to you,' Jackman said. The Tony Kushner (and Jeanine Tesori) Caroline, or Change was for Featured Actress in a Musical (Anika Noni Rose).
BEST PLAY: I Am My Own Wife.
BEST MUSICAL: Avenue Q.
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY: Henry IV.
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL: Assassins (score by Stephen Sondheim)
LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY: Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife.
LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun.
FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY: Brian F. O'Byrne, Frozen.
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun.
LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Hugh Jackman, The Boy From Oz.
LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Idina Menzel, Wicked.
FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Michael Cerveris, Assassins.
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Anika Noni Rose, Caroline, or Change.
BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY: Jack O'Brien, Henry IV.
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL: Joe Mantello, Assassins.
BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL: Jeff Whitty, Avenue Q.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (Music and/or Lyrics): Avenue Q, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (music).
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Kathleen Marshall, Wonderful Town.
BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Eugene Lee, Wicked. BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Susan Hilferty, Wicked.
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Assassins.
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS: Michael Starobin, Assassins.
SPECIAL TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEATRE: James M. Nederlander.
REGIONAL THEATRE TONY AWARD: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Extensive theater listings at www.windycitymediagroup.com/theateropenings.html