The 79th Tony Awards was filled with show-stopping numbers and heartfelt acceptance speeches as the likes of “Ragtime,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Schmigadoon!” and “Liberation” scored major victories. Their moments on stage took place during the CBS telecast, but not every moment from Broadway’s biggest night was picked up by cameras. The good times keep rolling through the commercial breaks, as A-listers rubbed elbows, and at the afterparties, where the big stars enjoyed burgers from Shake Shack and got their drink on.
Here’s a look at what you missed on TV.
Selfie Time
Stars, they’re just like us. After wrapping their telecast performance, the cast of “The Lost Boys” lingered for a minute on stage to take a selfie. And they weren’t the only ones looking to capture their big moment for posterity. Cinco Paul, a dual winner for writing the score and book of “Schmigadoon!,” posed for snapshots with his statues in the back of the theater, while presenters Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Rachel Zegler all shared the frame in a musical theater selfie for the ages.
Commercials Are Great for Schmoozing
Guests at the Tonys, particularly the A-list talent at the front of the auditorium, don’t stay seated during the commercial breaks. Those two-to-three minute intervals are such a great time to network. Lea Michele hugged Michael Kors; Adrien Brody congratulated Joe Mantello on his best director prize; Sarah Paulson linked arms with Ella Beatty as they circulated through the room; “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Conner Leavitt, whose wife Whitney Leavitt recently played Roxy Hart in “Chicago,” seat-hopped; and Aubrey Plaza, who is expecting her first child with Tony nominee Christopher Abbott, hightailed out of the theater on a bathroom break. Some stars didn’t feel like socializing. Cedric the Entertainer retreated to the back of Radio City to scroll through his phone.
Broadway Stars Aren’t Great Listeners
It fell to choreographer Sarah O’Gleby to try to keep the energy up during the commercial breaks. She did her best — encouraging the room to sing along to Celine Dion when the “Titanique” cast performed and teaching them the “Time Warp” so they could dance with “The Rocky Horror Show.” Most of the A-listers in the crowd ignored her, except for Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. The “Las Culturistas” co-hosts bopped and moved along with O’Gleby, putting on a performance that could rival Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Harry Potter…Such a Gentleman
At the famed Tonys afterparty at the Carlyle Hotel, Daniel Radcliffe gallantly held his the train of his wife Erin Darke’s dress, while balancing a Diet Coke in his other hand. The “Harry Potter” star, who was Tony-nominated for his one-man show, “Every Brilliant Thing,” was trying to ensure no one in the packed room tripped over her flowing gown. And he had his work cut out for him — the Carlyle remains the place to see and be seen. Cole Escola, who changed into an orange gown, created a minor traffic jam while greeting well-wishers in the stairway; “Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell relaxed in a quiet corner with a cocktail; “Glee” star Kevin McHale bopped his head along as the piano player sang jazzy standards; and Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale tried vainly to push through the crowd to say hello to some friends.
Jellicle Cats Come Out Tonight!
Tony voters may have handed best revival of a musical prize to “Ragtime,” but the crowd at Radio City showed its claws. Every time “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” won a prize, the auditorium erupted in cheers, with many audience members waving bright-yellow branded fans. And costume designer Qween Jean, who made history as the first openly transgender person to win a Tony, was greeted like royalty with fans crowding to take a picture with the barrier-breaker.
Four Letter Fun
Another awards show, another opportunity for network censors to strut their stuff. This time it was Shoshana Bean (“The Lost Boys”) letting the expletives fly. In case you’re wondering what was bleeped during Bean’s acceptance speech for best featured actress in a musical, she said: “Take up space, make your own path, make mistakes, make messes, make new things, be free, be loud, be brave, and stay fucking wild.”
Hold The Applause
Right before Leslie Odom Jr. took the stage to perform ““Without You” from “Rent” to honor the Broadway legends who died in recent months, an announcer reminded the crowd to “hold your applause during the In Memoriam” segment. And for the most part, the crowd complied, though a few people couldn’t resist giving Diane Keaton a hand when her picture popped up on screen. “She was the best,” exclaimed one audience member. We don’t disagree.
All Hail the Queen
At 96, June Squibb became the oldest nominee in Tony history for “Marjorie Prime.” She lost the best featured actress in a play prize to Laurie Metcalf (“Death of a Salesman), but Squibb was greeted with thunderous applause as she was wheeled up the aisle at the end of the night, with some Tony-goers reaching out to shake her hand. Squibb was clearly a winner in their eyes.
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