The best of Broadway got to take a bow on Sunday night at the 71st annual Tony Awards, and while Kevin Spacey’s opening medley and accolades for Bette Midler and Ben Platt were among the night’s highlights, there were a number of memorable moments that didn’t make the CBS telecast.
EW had a seat inside Radio City Music Hall as the big show got under way, and we’ve rounded up some of what you didn’t get to see if you were tuning in at home.
Big love for the Bidens
Before the Tonys telecast began, the news that former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were in attendance was met with a standing ovation from the Radio City Music Hall crowd. Jill Biden received another rousing response during the ceremony when she appeared on stage to discuss the veterans charity Got Your 6 and introduce a performance from the musical Bandstand, which focuses on soldiers struggling to readjust to civilian life after returning from World War II.
All hail the King(s)
Not all the Tony Awards are handed out on television – a number of below-the-line honors were awarded out before the televised ceremony and during commercial breaks. Kevin Spacey (and his various impressions) weren’t the emcees of those creative arts awards, though. Instead, two of Hamilton’s most regal stars, Brian d’Arcy James and Jonathan Groff, who have both played King George III in last year’s best musical winner (James is currently playing the role on Broadway), handled the responsibility. “We are the kings of the Tony Awards!
” Groff declared. Awesome, wow.Twenty-first time is the charm
Costume designer Jane Greenwood should make 21 her new lucky number — that’s how many nominations she’s had (seriously, 21!) before capturing her first win, for her work on the play The Little Foxes. “It’s been my dream to win this Tony, and here it is!” she gushed. (Greenwood previously received a special Tony for lifetime achievement in 2014, but this marks her first costume design win).
James Earl Jones’ lifetime achievement award
During the pre-show ceremony, James Earl…
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