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Home › Entertainment

Entertainment | 06/08/2009 8:45 am

The 63rd Annual Tony Awards: Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and More! (Photos)

On the red carpet and backstage, wowOwow caught up with the phenomenal Tony nominees and winners and also got a special look at part of Allison Janney’s vocal warm-up.

Photo Essay

Play Slideshow
Allison Janney
wowOwow captured all the glamour and excitement on the red carpet and backstage at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. Hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris, the Tony Awards took place Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It’s a crazy day for the performers, who rehearse for the Tonys in the morning, rush off to perform in their regular Sunday matinees and hurry back to walk the red carpet, perform (again) and hopefully win. Here’s a wOw look at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.
Read more about: 9 to 5, Allison Janney, Angela Lansbury, Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald, Avenue Q, Billy Elliot, Blithe Spirit, Broadway, Chandra Wilson, Chicago, Choreographer, David Alvarez, Diane Paulus, Director, Dolly Parton, Drama, Entertainment, God of Carnage, Grey's Anatomy, Guys and Dolls, hair, Isabelle Stevenson Award, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Karen Olivo, Kelly Devine, Kiril Kulish, Kristin Hanggi, Lauren Graham, Liza at the Palace, Liza Minnelli, Madame Arcati, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Indelicato, Martha Plimpton, Musical, Neil Patrick Harris, Oliver Platt, Pal Joey, Phyllis Newman, Rock of Ages, Shirley Herz, Stockard Channing, The West Wing, Theater, Tony Awards, Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater, Trent Kowalik, Ugly Betty, West Side Story, Winner

14 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

L. C.
How do you spell  B   O   R   I   N   G? … T   H   E …  63RD … A   N   N   U   A   L  … T   O   N   Y   … A   W   A   R   D   S !
By L. C. on 06/08/2009 10:43 am
EKA -

I totally disagree with L.C. above, I thought they were great and Neil Patrick Harris was one of the best hosts of any award show, ever - he was funny, smart and quick on his feet. The opening number was fabulous and  the song at the end was brilliant. The three "Billy Elliotts" were charming and so talented  I am going online to get tickets this week !

Good Show ! 

By EKA - on 06/08/2009 11:24 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe
Your accolades for Harris I agree with especially the song at the end––very clever. I was struck, however, and I think this speaks to the demise of the arts in general money wise, the many revivals. "Blithe Spirit"?  That was the first adult play I ever saw performed by the excellent community theater in my home town. I love that play because it made such an impact on a little girl that wanted to be an actress by the time she was seven. Liza was so kinetic––she is so tightly wound she makes the energizer bunny look sleepy. Lansbury is fabulous––now, there’s an icon! I must confess I wasn’t clued to this–-was going back and forth while watching something else, but I found what I did watch a little sad in the sense that past Tonys had a sparkle, a certain magic that is just missing now. I sense the struggle.
By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 06/08/2009 4:23 pm
EKA -

Yes, I agree, I said to my husband during the show "all revivals, where are the new shows?" He really disliked the "Hair" revival , that was such a time specific show and the revival seems so kitchey … or maybe it’s because we were so involved with the 60s that we find revivals of our own time disconcerting ?

We saw In The Heights and loved it because it was new, current, relavent and still had everything we love about broadway. I’m hoping there are more new shows in the pipeline. I would hate to think the Broadway is now about just rerunning the same old, same old because it is safe and cheap. Billy Elliott is encouraging because I’m sure there will be many young people in the audience who, like you, who will have their lives changed … the true purpose of the arts.

Watching Liza is just so sad, we both agreed we would never go see her. 

By EKA - on 06/09/2009 12:05 pm
Beth Cornell
I agree with you, EKA! Great show!. I think the best I have seen since Angela Lansbury last hosted back in the late 80s early 1990s(question on when she last hosted). Neil Patrick Harris was a wonderful host. The tributes to those that died was so heartwarming. And the tribute to Jerry Herman was the best. And the fact Angela Lansbury won what may be her last Tony was the highlight. You know they asked her to host and she turned them down stating it wold be too munch pressure with her being one of those nominated. All in all I liked it very much.
By Beth Cornell on 06/08/2009 11:57 am
James the Game
Nice photos of Jane and Annie. I didn’t see the awards ceremony.
By James the Game on 06/08/2009 12:02 pm
Laura Ward

There was a time when Broadway was all male in the field of producing, directoring, writing, choreography, etc. Good to see females are rising in those primary roles and not just as actors!

I agree with EKA. The Tony’s were exciting for me too. But then, I used to go to the Broadways shows when I lived in Manhattan and I still do when I vacation in Manhattan.

By Laura Ward on 06/08/2009 12:12 pm
Chrome Toe
wow… Allison Janney looks smokin HOT! who knew?? So hey new yorkers… i’ve got time to see exactly one play while i’m in NYC in September. I was thinking God of Carnage. anyone? if you could only see ONE. which one would you see?
By Chrome Toe on 06/08/2009 8:26 pm
EKA -
ONE ??? Tough choice. In The Heights is new, current, fabulous … last years winner. Haven’t seen God of Carnage but heard it is two couples yelling at each other, but hey, how often do you get up close with Tony Soprano. I’ve also heard that Billy Elliott is the ONE to see. Saw South Pacific in Feb and it was wonderful but the lead, kelly O’Hara will not be back from maternity leave until Oct.
By EKA - on 06/09/2009 12:12 pm
Chrome Toe
so my husband couldn’t stand one that is toooo character driven. one woman show. or if it’s just a couple working through stuff. he’s got to have some kind of plot that’s not entirely internal. so i’ll look at the others you mentioned.
By Chrome Toe on 06/09/2009 12:24 pm
EKA -

This may give you an idea of In The Heights ….

http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/preview-of-in-the-heights-chasing-broadway-dreams/294 

You can also search others and see clips. With only one show, you want to get it right ! 

By EKA - on 06/09/2009 2:00 pm
CYNTHIA NEIL

The one that lit my fire was "Next to Normal", BUT "God of CArnage" came in a close second.

 I am a singer. 

By CYNTHIA NEIL on 06/08/2009 9:54 pm
Ali Bell
Angela Lansbury looks beautiful as always. She possess such grace and dignity & well deserves her 5 Tony awards.
By Ali Bell on 06/09/2009 8:27 am
Katie Harris
Fabulous article - great photos!!
By Katie Harris on 06/09/2009 5:21 pm