Maddie Freeman, Senior
The Tony Awards were held last night, June 9th in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. According to the New York Times, the night was record-breaking for women, with “Hadestown” winning the best musical. Two of its main producers are women, which is “a relative rarity in commercial theater.” “The Ferryman” won best new play, and “Oklahoma” won best musical revival, both of which have women as their producers. Despite major wins for women last night, the Tonys and the Broadway community have a long way to go with including women in its leadership positions.
Rachel Chavkin, the inventive director of “Hadestown” won her first Tony for the play. She was the only female director nominated for any show or play this year, which she brought up during her acceptance speech. According to the New York Times, in the history of the awards, she is only the fourth woman to ever win a Tony for best musical director. She stated, “I wish I wasn’t the only woman directing a musical on Broadway this season.”
Other record breakers included Ali Stroker, the first wheelchair user to win a Tony. She performs in “Oklahoma” as Ado Annie and is a true role model for young viewers everywhere. She said in her speech, “This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena” All in all, women took a stand at the awards last night and challenged the community to become more inclusive and diverse in the years to come.
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