The television audience for Broadway theater`s Tony awards slumped to an all-time low in the absence of pop culture juggernauts like 'Harry Potter'&nbsp;and 'Hamilton.' 
 
Nielsen data on Monday showed that just 5.5 million Americans watched Sunday`s ceremony broadcast on CBS from New York, down 20 percent from 2018 when 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'&nbsp;took home six Tonys and rocker Bruce Springsteen won a special award for his sold-out one man show. 
 
It was the first time the television audience for the annual awards show that celebrates the best of theater fell below 6 million.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tony-awards-2019-winners-list-hadestown-and-the-ferryman-take-home-the-big-prizes-225880">Also see:&nbsp;Tony Awards 2019 winners list</a> 
 
Sunday`s TV audience also marked a sharp drop from 2017 when viewership reached a 15-year high, fueled by the success of rap musical 'Hamilton.' 
 
In Sunday`s ceremony, 'Hadestown," about a young couple`s dark trek to the underworld, took home a leading eight awards, including best new musical. The award show was hosted by late-night talk show host James Corden. 
 
Other winners included best play 'The Ferryman,'&nbsp;set around the sectarian struggles in 1980s Northern Ireland, and Bryan Cranston, who played the unhinged TV anchor in the stage version of the 1976 film 'Network.'&nbsp; 
 
The new low in the television audience marked a sharp contrast with box office receipts on Broadway, which hit a record $1.8 billion this past season. 
Ticket sales for 'Hadestown'&nbsp;increased by more than 1,300% on Sunday thanks to the Tony exposure, online booking platform TodayTix.com said. 
 
Sunday`s show took place against stiff competition from the National Hockey League`s Stanley Cup on rival NBC, which drew 6.1 million viewers, and the much anticipated season 2 premiere on HBO of female-dominated drama 'Big Little Lies'&nbsp;starring Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman.

The television audience for Broadway theater`s Tony awards slumped to an all-time low in the absence of pop culture juggernauts like 'Harry Potter' and 'Hamilton.

The television audience for Broadway theater`s Tony awards slumped to an all-time low in the absence of pop culture juggernauts like 'Harry Potter' and 'Hamilton.' Nielsen data on Monday showed that just 5.5 million Americans watched Sunday`s ceremony broadcast on CBS from New York, down 20 percent from 2018 when 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' took home six Tonys and rocker Bruce Springsteen won a special award for his sold-out one man show. It was the first time the television audience for the annual awards show that celebrates the best of theater fell below 6 million.Also see: Tony Awards 2019 winners list Sunday`s TV audience also marked a sharp drop from 2017 when viewership reached a 15-year high, fueled by the success of rap musical 'Hamilton.' In Sunday`s ceremony, 'Hadestown," about a young couple`s dark trek to the underworld, took home a leading eight awards, including best new musical. The award show was hosted by late-night talk show host James Corden. Other winners included best play 'The Ferryman,' set around the sectarian struggles in 1980s Northern Ireland, and Bryan Cranston, who played the unhinged TV anchor in the stage version of the 1976 film 'Network.' The new low in the television audience marked a sharp contrast with box office receipts on Broadway, which hit a record $1.8 billion this past season. Ticket sales for 'Hadestown' increased by more than 1,300% on Sunday thanks to the Tony exposure, online booking platform TodayTix.com said. Sunday`s show took place against stiff competition from the National Hockey League`s Stanley Cup on rival NBC, which drew 6.1 million viewers, and the much anticipated season 2 premiere on HBO of female-dominated drama 'Big Little Lies' starring Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman.

Without pop culture contenders, Tony awards audience slumps to all-time low

The 73rd annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hadestown-cranston-win-big-at-tonys-ferryman-takes-home-best-play-225861">‘Hadestown’ and ‘The Ferryman’</a> proved to be the biggest hits of the night.&nbsp;

Among the best moments from the night, actress Ali Stroker took home the award for best featured actress in a musical for her performance in ‘Oklahoma!’ She became the first wheelchair user to receive a Tony.&nbsp;

The night also saw some political speeches as celebs spoke of inclusivity and diversity. In her acceptance speech, Rachel Chavkin, the director of ‘Hadestown’ challenged her industry to increase diversity while Bryan Cranston defended “all the real journalists around the world.”

List of winners:

Best Musical: ‘Hadestown’

Best Play: ‘The Ferryman’

Best Revival of a Musical: ‘Oklahoma!’

Best Revival of a Play: ‘The Boys in the Band’

Best Book of a Musical: ‘Tootsie,’ Robert Horn

Best Original Score: ‘Hadestown,’ music and lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell

Best Direction of a Play: Sam Mendes, ‘The Ferryman’

Best Direction of a Musical: Rachel Chavkin, ‘Hadestown’

Best Leading Actor in a Play: Bryan Cranston, ‘Network’

Best Leading Actress in a Play: Elaine May, ‘The Waverly Gallery’

Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Santino Fontana, ‘Tootsie’

Best Leading Actress in a Musical: Stephanie J. Block, ‘The Cher Show’

Best Featured Actor in a Play: Bertie Carvel, ‘Ink’

Best Featured Actress in a Play: Celia Keenan-Bolger, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Best Featured Actor in a Musical: André De Shields, ‘Hadestown’

Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ali Stroker, ‘Oklahoma!’

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Rob Howell, ‘The Ferryman’

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Rachel Hauck, ‘Hadestown’

Best Costume Design of a Play: Rob Howell, ‘The Ferryman’

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Bob Mackie, ‘The Cher Show’

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Neil Austin, ‘Ink’

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Bradley King, ‘Hadestown’

Best Sound Design of a Play: Fitz Patton,’Choir Boy’

Best Sound Design of a Musical: Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, ‘Hadestown’

Best Choreography: Sergio Trujillo, ‘Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations’

Best Orchestrations: Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, ‘Hadestown’

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Rosemary Harris, Terrence McNally, Harold Wheeler

Isabelle Stevenson Award: Judith Light

Regional Theater Tony Award: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Special Tony Award: Marin Mazzie, Jason Michael Webb, Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater: Broadway Inspirational Voices — Michael McElroy, Founder, Peter Entin, FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, Joseph Blakely Forbes

The 73rd annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday. ‘Hadestown’ and ‘The Ferryman’ proved to be the biggest hits of the night. Among the best moments from the night, actress Ali Stroker took home the award for best featured actress in a musical for her performance in ‘Oklahoma!

The 73rd annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday. ‘Hadestown’ and ‘The Ferryman’ proved to be the biggest hits of the night. Among the best moments from the night, actress Ali Stroker took home the award for best featured actress in a musical for her performance in ‘Oklahoma!’ She became the first wheelchair user to receive a Tony. The night also saw some political speeches as celebs spoke of inclusivity and diversity. In her acceptance speech, Rachel Chavkin, the director of ‘Hadestown’ challenged her industry to increase diversity while Bryan Cranston defended “all the real journalists around the world.” List of winners: Best Musical: ‘Hadestown’ Best Play: ‘The Ferryman’ Best Revival of a Musical: ‘Oklahoma!’ Best Revival of a Play: ‘The Boys in the Band’ Best Book of a Musical: ‘Tootsie,’ Robert Horn Best Original Score: ‘Hadestown,’ music and lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell Best Direction of a Play: Sam Mendes, ‘The Ferryman’ Best Direction of a Musical: Rachel Chavkin, ‘Hadestown’ Best Leading Actor in a Play: Bryan Cranston, ‘Network’ Best Leading Actress in a Play: Elaine May, ‘The Waverly Gallery’ Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Santino Fontana, ‘Tootsie’ Best Leading Actress in a Musical: Stephanie J. Block, ‘The Cher Show’ Best Featured Actor in a Play: Bertie Carvel, ‘Ink’ Best Featured Actress in a Play: Celia Keenan-Bolger, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Best Featured Actor in a Musical: André De Shields, ‘Hadestown’ Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ali Stroker, ‘Oklahoma!’ Best Scenic Design of a Play: Rob Howell, ‘The Ferryman’ Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Rachel Hauck, ‘Hadestown’ Best Costume Design of a Play: Rob Howell, ‘The Ferryman’ Best Costume Design of a Musical: Bob Mackie, ‘The Cher Show’ Best Lighting Design of a Play: Neil Austin, ‘Ink’ Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Bradley King, ‘Hadestown’ Best Sound Design of a Play: Fitz Patton,’Choir Boy’ Best Sound Design of a Musical: Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, ‘Hadestown’ Best Choreography: Sergio Trujillo, ‘Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations’ Best Orchestrations: Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, ‘Hadestown’ Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Rosemary Harris, Terrence McNally, Harold Wheeler Isabelle Stevenson Award: Judith Light Regional Theater Tony Award: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Special Tony Award: Marin Mazzie, Jason Michael Webb, Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater: Broadway Inspirational Voices — Michael McElroy, Founder, Peter Entin, FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, Joseph Blakely Forbes

Tony Awards 2019 winners list: 'Hadestown' and 'The Ferryman' take home the big prizes

'Hadestown,'&nbsp;a folk opera about a young couple's dark trek to the underworld, topped Broadway's Tony awards on Sunday winning eight honours, including the top prize best musical.

Based on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, Anais Mitchell's musical also won Tonys for best director, score, supporting actor Andre De Shields, orchestration, and sound, scenic and lighting design.

Director Rachel Chavkin noted she was the only woman currently directing a Broadway musical and called for the theatre world to step up. "It is a failure of imagination," she told the audience.

'The Ferryman,'&nbsp;British playwright Jez Butterworth's wrenching examination of a family during the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, won the best play and best director for Sam Mendes.

Bryan Cranston won his second Tony as the unhinged television anchorman in 'Network,'&nbsp;a stage adaptation of the 1976 movie.

Cranston dedicated his Tony award to real journalists. In a veiled reference to repeated attacks on the press by U.S. President Donald Trump, Cranston said the media "is not the enemy of the people. Demagoguery is the enemy of the people."

Elaine May, 87, was named best actress in a play for her moving performance as a mentally declining woman in 'The Waverly Gallery.'&nbsp;May, a director, writer and actress is also known for her comic partnership dating to the 1950s with late film director Mike Nichols.

The best actor in a musical Tony went to Santino Fontana for 'Tootsie,'&nbsp;the hit show based on the 1982 movie, while Stephanie J. Block took home the lead actress award playing music legend Cher in 'The Cher Show.'

Block thanked "the goddess Cher, and her legacy."

"The Boys in the Band," a comic drama about a group of gay men at a birthday party first produced in the late 1960s, won best play revival.

The supporting musical actress Tony went to Ali Stroker for a reinvented staging of the classic musical, 'Oklahoma!,'&nbsp;which won the best revival of a musical.

Stroker, as the "girl who can't say no" Ado Annie, became the first actor performing in a wheelchair to win a Tony.

Supporting actress in a play went to Celia Keenan-Bolger, 41, as the child Scout in 'To Kill a Mockingbird,'&nbsp;while English actor Bertie Carvel won his first Tony as media mogul Rupert Murdoch making his foray into newspaper publishing in 'Ink.'

Veteran stage actress Rosemary Harris and playwright Terrence McNally were presented with special Tony awards for lifetime achievement in theatre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/race-sexual-politics-and-the-underworld-in-spotlight-at-broadways-tony-awards-225815">Race, sexual politics and the underworld</a> were in the spotlight at the&nbsp;Tony awards this year.&nbsp;

'Hadestown,' a folk opera about a young couple's dark trek to the underworld, topped Broadway's Tony awards on Sunday winning eight honours, including the top prize best musical.

'Hadestown,' a folk opera about a young couple's dark trek to the underworld, topped Broadway's Tony awards on Sunday winning eight honours, including the top prize best musical. Based on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, Anais Mitchell's musical also won Tonys for best director, score, supporting actor Andre De Shields, orchestration, and sound, scenic and lighting design. Director Rachel Chavkin noted she was the only woman currently directing a Broadway musical and called for the theatre world to step up. "It is a failure of imagination," she told the audience. 'The Ferryman,' British playwright Jez Butterworth's wrenching examination of a family during the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, won the best play and best director for Sam Mendes. Bryan Cranston won his second Tony as the unhinged television anchorman in 'Network,' a stage adaptation of the 1976 movie. Cranston dedicated his Tony award to real journalists. In a veiled reference to repeated attacks on the press by U.S. President Donald Trump, Cranston said the media "is not the enemy of the people. Demagoguery is the enemy of the people." Elaine May, 87, was named best actress in a play for her moving performance as a mentally declining woman in 'The Waverly Gallery.' May, a director, writer and actress is also known for her comic partnership dating to the 1950s with late film director Mike Nichols. The best actor in a musical Tony went to Santino Fontana for 'Tootsie,' the hit show based on the 1982 movie, while Stephanie J. Block took home the lead actress award playing music legend Cher in 'The Cher Show.' Block thanked "the goddess Cher, and her legacy." "The Boys in the Band," a comic drama about a group of gay men at a birthday party first produced in the late 1960s, won best play revival. The supporting musical actress Tony went to Ali Stroker for a reinvented staging of the classic musical, 'Oklahoma!,' which won the best revival of a musical. Stroker, as the "girl who can't say no" Ado Annie, became the first actor performing in a wheelchair to win a Tony. Supporting actress in a play went to Celia Keenan-Bolger, 41, as the child Scout in 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' while English actor Bertie Carvel won his first Tony as media mogul Rupert Murdoch making his foray into newspaper publishing in 'Ink.' Veteran stage actress Rosemary Harris and playwright Terrence McNally were presented with special Tony awards for lifetime achievement in theatre. Race, sexual politics and the underworld were in the spotlight at the Tony awards this year.

'Hadestown', Cranston win big at Tonys, 'Ferryman' takes home best play

Race, sexual politics and a trip to the underworld are poised to take center stage on Sunday in New York at the annual Tony awards honoring the best of Broadway theater. 
 
Hosted by late night television personality James Corden, the Tonys cap a record season for Broadway, both in ticket sales and box office receipts, which exceeded $1.8 billion. 
 
With attendance topping that of the 10 professional New York and New Jersey sports teams combined, Broadway is booming, never so much as when it takes on topical issues. 
 
"We`re more in synch with the cross currents of the times," said Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing which presents the Tonys with The Broadway League. 
 
"You can see it in the themes of almost every show," she said, adding, "It`s hard to think of a show that doesn`t touch on a relevant or current issue." 
League President Charlotte St. Martin said that topical issues and average ticket prices under $100 are drawing in younger fans. 
 
Anais Mitchell`s "Hadestown," a dark folk opera about young lovers trapped in the underworld, is poised to collect the prize for best musical, after receiving a leading 14 nominations. 
 
But "The Prom," a musical about a group of egocentric Broadway actors invading a Midwestern town to support a lesbian who wants to bring her girlfriend to her prom, has its cheerleaders, as does "Tootsie," a hit show based on the 1982 film about a struggling actor who finds stardom by passing himself off as a woman. 
 
"Tootsie" is expected to bring a Tony for lead actor Santino Fontana, while Bryan Cranston, favored as the unhinged TV news anchor in the play "Network," faces competition from Jeff Daniels as noble white lawyer Atticus Finch in the racial drama "To Kill a Mockingbird."&nbsp; 
 
Sexuality is at the center of best play revival nominees "Torch Song" and "Boys in the Band," but Arthur Miller`s "All My Sons" or "The Waverly Gallery" may prevail. 
 
Award watchers say Elaine May, the veteran writer and director, is expected to win best actress in a play for her moving turn in "The Waverly Gallery" as an Alzheimer`s patient. 
 
Best play frontrunner is British playwright Jez Butterworth`s "The Ferryman," a wrenching examination of a family during the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in the 1980s that garnered nine nods. 
 
Sexual politics get an airing in Heidi Schreck`s one-woman show "What the Constitution Means to Me," while Hillary Clinton`s unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2008 is revisited in "Hillary and Clinton."

Race, sexual politics and a trip to the underworld are poised to take center stage on Sunday in New York at the annual Tony awards honoring the best of Broadway theater.

Race, sexual politics and a trip to the underworld are poised to take center stage on Sunday in New York at the annual Tony awards honoring the best of Broadway theater. Hosted by late night television personality James Corden, the Tonys cap a record season for Broadway, both in ticket sales and box office receipts, which exceeded $1.8 billion. With attendance topping that of the 10 professional New York and New Jersey sports teams combined, Broadway is booming, never so much as when it takes on topical issues. "We`re more in synch with the cross currents of the times," said Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing which presents the Tonys with The Broadway League. "You can see it in the themes of almost every show," she said, adding, "It`s hard to think of a show that doesn`t touch on a relevant or current issue." League President Charlotte St. Martin said that topical issues and average ticket prices under $100 are drawing in younger fans. Anais Mitchell`s "Hadestown," a dark folk opera about young lovers trapped in the underworld, is poised to collect the prize for best musical, after receiving a leading 14 nominations. But "The Prom," a musical about a group of egocentric Broadway actors invading a Midwestern town to support a lesbian who wants to bring her girlfriend to her prom, has its cheerleaders, as does "Tootsie," a hit show based on the 1982 film about a struggling actor who finds stardom by passing himself off as a woman. "Tootsie" is expected to bring a Tony for lead actor Santino Fontana, while Bryan Cranston, favored as the unhinged TV news anchor in the play "Network," faces competition from Jeff Daniels as noble white lawyer Atticus Finch in the racial drama "To Kill a Mockingbird." Sexuality is at the center of best play revival nominees "Torch Song" and "Boys in the Band," but Arthur Miller`s "All My Sons" or "The Waverly Gallery" may prevail. Award watchers say Elaine May, the veteran writer and director, is expected to win best actress in a play for her moving turn in "The Waverly Gallery" as an Alzheimer`s patient. Best play frontrunner is British playwright Jez Butterworth`s "The Ferryman," a wrenching examination of a family during the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in the 1980s that garnered nine nods. Sexual politics get an airing in Heidi Schreck`s one-woman show "What the Constitution Means to Me," while Hillary Clinton`s unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2008 is revisited in "Hillary and Clinton."

Race, sexual politics and the underworld in spotlight at Broadway's Tony awards

tony-awards-2019

Tony Awards 2019, News on Tony Awards 2019, stories on Tony Awards 2019, articles on Tony Awards 2019, Tony Awards 2019 stories at Wion, Tony Awards 2019 news, Tony Awards 2019 latest news

tony awards-2019

Without pop culture contenders, Tony awards audience slumps to all-time low

Tony Awards 2019 winners list: 'Hadestown' and 'The Ferryman' take home the big prizes

'Hadestown', Cranston win big at Tonys, 'Ferryman' takes home best play

Race, sexual politics and the underworld in spotlight at Broadway's Tony awards