Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Billy Porter, center, as Lola in the musical “Kinky Boots,†which received 13 nominations for the 67th annual Tony Awards, including for best musical, director, actor, score and choreographer.Tonight Dave Itzkoff and Charles Isherwood are live blogging the 67th annual Tony Awards. The telecast begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time on CBS. Live commentary, ballot updates, photos from the show and the red carpet can be found here.
Radio City Music Hall will be crackling with genuine dramatic tension at the Tony Awards on Sunday night as rival teams of producers, artists, and actors (as well as CBS viewers) brace for the outcome of the race for best musical between two acclaimed hits, “Kinky Boots†and “Matilda.†Tony voters interviewed over the last two weeks gave the edge to fan favorite “Kinky Boots,†but “Matilda†had the better reviews from critics, and no one was discounting a late surge in voting for either show.
The shows will compete directly in 11 categories. Two early signs of where voters are leaning: Whether “Kinky Boots†or “Matilda†wins for best book (Harvey Fierstein vs. Dennis Kelly, respectively) and best actor (Billy Porter vs. Bertie Carvel).
Among the other lively races are best actor in a play (the frontrunners are Tom Hanks and Nathan Lane, with Tracy Letts as the dark horse); best actress in a play (a probable close contest between sentimental favorite Cicely Tyson and theater veteran Kristine Nielsen); and best play revival (a duel between “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?†and “The Trip to Bountifulâ€).
Neil Patrick Harris returns as host, and Mr. Hanks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Scarlett Johansson, Sigourney Weaver, Audra McDonald, and nominee Cyndi Lauper (for best score for “Kinky Bootsâ€) will appear on the CBS telecast, which begins at 8 p.m. ET.
ArtsBeat and NYTimes.com will have coverage throughout the night, including live blogging by theater critic Charles Isherwood and reporter Dave Itzkoff. And check out Monday’s newspaper too for a complete wrap-up and photos.
â€" Patrick Healy
