Theater

‘Gentleman’s Guide’ a surprise win at the Tonys

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love a Murder,” an underdog Broadway show struggling at the box office, pulled off an upset at the Tony Awards Sunday night, winning the crucial award for Best Musical.

The whimsical show, about an Englishman who bumps off his relatives so he can inherit the family fortune, beat out “Beautiful,” the Carole King musical that’s raking in more than $1 million a week.

The Tony for Best Musical usually boosts ticket sales, and so the producers of “Gentleman’s Guide” were practically jumping out of their tuxedoes onstage at Radio City Music Hall last night.

“The little engine that could, did!” exclaimed Joey Parnes, the lead producer.

Voters generally award hits, so the betting was that “Beautiful” would take home the top prize. But the Tonys began to break early in the evening for “Gentleman’s Guide,” which also picked up awards for costumes, script and direction. “Beautiful” won two Tonys, including Best Actress for its star, Jessie Mueller, who performed a rousing rendition of “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet” with King.

Hugh Jackman hosted the telecast with his usual aplomb, bringing down the house with a rap version of “Rock Island” from “The Music Man.”

He was joined onstage by rappers T.I. and LL Cool J in attempt to demonstrate that Broadway isn’t just for you grandmother anymore.

The smash revival of “A Raisin in the Sun,” starring Denzel Washington, won Best Revival of a Play.

The production, which last week grossed $1.2 million, also won awards for featured actress Sophie Okonedo and director Kenny Leon.

Best Play went to “All the Way,” a three-hour political drama about Lyndon Johnson and his fight to pass civil–rights legislation.

Bryan Cranston, who gives a performance of Shakespearean proportions as LBJ, won the Tony for Best Actor in a Play.

Longtime Broadway favorite and former Tony host Neil Patrick Harris picked up the award for his performance in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”

And Audra McDonald made Tony history, picking up her sixth award for her performance as Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.”