Chicago was truly represented at last night’s Tony Awards with our very own Kinky Boots and Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? taking home numerous awards, including “Best Musical” and “Best Revival of a Play.” Kinky Boots’ multiple wins (including “Best Score” for Cyndi Lauper, “Best Lead Actor in a Musical” for Billy Porter, and “Best Choreography” for Jerry Mitchell) should come to no surprise to Broadway In Chicago audiences as it was definitely a fan favorite when its pre-Broadway world premiere hit the Bank of America Theatre last season.
It was the wins for Steppenwolf’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf that were exceptionally inspiring for the Chicago theatre community. “A special nod to the Chicago community where Steppenwolf has had its home for the last 37 years.” Martha Lavey called it when accepting the award for “Best Revival of a Play.”
“I share this with the actors in Chicago and in storefronts,” said “Best Lead Actor in a Play” winner Tracy Letts. “We are the ones who say it to their faces and we have a unique responsibility.” You can watch the entirety of his inspiring acceptance speech here.
Broadway In Chicago Vice President and Chair of the League of Chicago Theatres Board of Directors Eileen LaCario called it “a true tribute that only someone as well spoken and respected as [Lavey and Letts] could deliver. [They] took [their] moment and turned it into our moment.”
It was another amazing night for Broadway, once again hosted by the affable Neil Patrick Harris. Check out the rousing opening number and the full winners list after the jump: