“The Book of Mormon” knocked down the door of the 65th annual Tony Awards at New York’s Beacon Theatre Sunday night, snagging a worshipful total of nine Tonys, including best musical. In the winner’s circle: composers Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, directors Casey Nicholaw and Parker, and an emotional newcomer-no-more named Nikki M. James, now a best supporting actress winner.
There were no unexpected miracles. In the slightly more contested category of best play, the sentimental English favorite “War Horse” still ran past the post, winning five Tonys, including a best direction Tony for Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris’ bravura piece of emotional staging. Most other awards also went as expected, including a best revival of a musical Tony for “Anything Goes” — along with a Tony for its star Sutton Foster — and best revival of a play for the searing production of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart.”
Parker thanked his loyal “South Park” fans, many of whom have been flocking to “Mormon,” Broadway’s hottest and funniest show. “Without you guys,” he said, accurately in many ways, “we wouldn’t be here.” Foster, meanwhile, thanked all of her teachers. And her dresser. more