The 77th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 16, 2024, at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater in New York City, celebrated a vibrant and diverse Broadway season. Hosted by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose for the third consecutive year, the ceremony honored outstanding achievements in theater, with notable wins for The Outsiders and Stereophonic.
Stereophonic, a play by David Adjmi, emerged as the most awarded production of the night, securing five Tony Awards, including Best Play. The play, which delves into the dynamics of a 1970s rock band, also won accolades for Best Direction of a Play (Daniel Aukin), Best Scenic Design of a Play (David Zinn), Best Sound Design of a Play (Ryan Rumery), and Best Featured Actor in a Play (Will Brill) .
The Outsiders, a musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel, co-produced by Angelina Jolie, won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The production also received honors for Best Direction of a Musical (Danya Taymor), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim), and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Cody Spencer) .
Merrily We Roll Along, a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, matched The Outsiders with four Tony Awards. The production won Best Revival of a Musical, Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Daniel Radcliffe), and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Jonathan Groff) .
Notable Individual Achievements
The ceremony marked a significant moment as all eight acting awards were claimed by first-time Tony winners. Jonathan Groff’s win for Merrily We Roll Along was particularly emotional, as he expressed gratitude for his lifelong journey in musical theater. Daniel Radcliffe, also recognized for the same production, reflected on the experience as one of the best of his life .
Maleah Joi Moon won Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role in Hell’s Kitchen, a production inspired by Alicia Keys’ life and music. Sarah Paulson received Best Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in Appropriate, which also won Best Revival of a Play and Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jane Cox) .
Jeremy Strong, known for his role in HBO’s Succession, earned Best Leading Actor in a Play for his portrayal in An Enemy of the People. In his acceptance speech, Strong described the play as “a cry from the heart” addressing pressing societal issues .
Diversity and Representation
The 2023–24 Broadway season was notable for its diversity and representation. Hell’s Kitchen and Stereophonic led with 13 nominations each, highlighting the industry’s recognition of varied narratives and talents. The success of productions like Suffs, which won Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical (Shaina Taub), underscored the growing prominence of female voices in theater .
Memorable Moments
The ceremony featured performances from nominated productions, including a rendition of “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, captivating the audience. A tribute to the late Chita Rivera honored her legacy, with performances by Broadway luminaries Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, and Bebe Neuwirth .
Looking Ahead
The 77th Tony Awards not only celebrated individual and collective achievements but also reflected the evolving landscape of Broadway. With a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and storytelling that resonates with contemporary audiences, the ceremony highlighted the dynamic and transformative power of theater.
