Actors of color made history at last night’s Tony Awards
Back in February, the Oscars were slammed with the (deserved) #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. The Academy Awards this year nominated exactly zero actors of color. Last night’s Tony Awards, however, were a celebration of diversity and for the first time in history actors of color swept all of the musical performance categories. It looks like Hollywood has some serious learning to do from Broadway.
Three of those trophies went to cast members of Hamilton — Leslie Odom Jr. won for best actor in a leading role in a musical.
Daveed Diggs won best actor in a featured role in a musical:
Renée Elise Goldsberry won best actress in a featured role in a musical.
The fourth musical performance trophy went to Cynthia Erivo for her performance in The Color Purple.
The Tonys made sure to recognize this historic moment. false
As did the ceremony’s viewers. false
The award ceremony last night was notably all about inclusivity. From the opening number sung directly to children who may one day find themselves on stage, to the nomination of diverse casts and shows including Hamilton, the ASL-infused production of Spring Awakening, the Cuban rhythms of On Your Feet, The Color Purple, Shuffle Along, Eclipsed and many more.
“Think of this as the Oscars, but with diversity,” host James Corden quipped early in the evening. He wasn’t wrong. Our hearts are full.
