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Highs and Lows of the Tonys

From the three Billys to a lost Dolly Parton

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Jun 8, 2009 9:33 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The 2009 Tony awards were not without their laughs—and gaffes. The LA Times outlines the best and worst of Broadway's biggest night.

  • Dolly Parton was a crowd-pleaser during the show's opening number, but later appeared accidentally, and uncomfortably, on the stage when she lost out on the music and lyrics award.

  •  Angela Lansbury won a record-tying fifth Tony award for her featured role in "Blithe Spirit."
  • John Scher, producer of "Liza's at the Palace," tried to get in his heartfelt thanks when he won for best theatrical event. But his flamboyant star, Liza herself, upstaged him by mouthing her own thank-yous behind him.
  • Co-presenting with eerie look-alike Shrek, James Gandolfini joked, "For the record, Shrek and I are no relation."
Click here for the full slideshow:

Actor Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The cast of Hair poses for a photo after winning Best Revival of a Musical at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday, June 7, 2009.
The cast of "Hair" poses for a photo after winning Best Revival of a Musical at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday, June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Karen Olivo holds her trophy for Best Performance by Featured Actress in a Musical for West Side Story as Gregory Jbara holds his for Best Performance for Billy Elliot, The Musical.
Karen Olivo holds her trophy for Best Performance by Featured Actress in a Musical for "West Side Story" as Gregory Jbara holds his for Best Performance for "Billy Elliot, The Musical."   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Marcia Gay Harden holds her trophy for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for God of Carnage at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday June 7, 2009.
Marcia Gay Harden holds her trophy for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for "God of Carnage" at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Alice Ripley holds her trophy for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Next to Normal at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday June 7, 2009.
Alice Ripley holds her trophy for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for "Next to Normal" at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York Sunday June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Liza Minnelli poses with her trophy for Best Special Theatrical Event for Liza's at The Palace at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.
Liza Minnelli poses with her trophy for Best Special Theatrical Event for "Liza's at The Palace" at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, and Trent Kowalik accept the award for Best Performance by a leading Actor in a Musical, for their shared role in Billy Elliot the Musical.
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, and Trent Kowalik accept the award for Best Performance by a leading Actor in a Musical, for their shared role in "Billy Elliot the Musical."   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, and Trent Kowalik, jump with their trophies for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Billy Elliot, The Musical at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, and Trent Kowalik, jump with their trophies for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for "Billy Elliot, The Musical" at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Geoffrey Rush accepts his Tony award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his role in Exit the King at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.
Geoffrey Rush accepts his Tony award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his role in "Exit the King" at the 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The cast of Shrek the Musical performs at 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.
The cast of "Shrek the Musical" performs at 63rd Annual Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
lessermook
Jun 8, 2009 5:31 AM CDT
Anybody else think that the lead actress from Next to Normal's speech was absolutely horrid?
DeniseVB
Jun 8, 2009 3:22 AM CDT
Great show! The only play I saw was Rock of Ages, but have added a few more must see's for my next visit to NYC.

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Tony Awards • Dolly Parton • Liza Minelli • James Gandolfini • Shrek • Angela Lansbury

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