On Broadway, It Looks Like 'Spring'

Spring Awakening , Coast of Utopia make history at theater honors

(NEWSER) - The Coast of Utopia, Tom Stoppard’s marathon glance back at 19th-century Russia, became czar of the Tonys at last night's 61st annual ceremony in New York. The $7-million, 8-hour epic claimed more statuettes than any drama in history—including honors for best play and director—in a year when Broadway attendance smashed records. More»

(NEWSER) - Neil Patrick Harris will host the Tony Awards tomorrow night, and the New York Times caught up with the actor to talk about him and the show:

• How involved is Harris? "I have a lot of say in what comes out of my mouth. There are writers on the show, obviously, but the last thing I want is to come across like I walked in the afternoon of, and stand there and read a teleprompter. ... I want the jokes to sound like they’re coming out of my mouth. I might sing. We’ll see."

Scarlett Johansson, VIola Davis, Catherine Zeta-Jones Prevail

(NEWSER) - Denzel Washington won his first Tony Award tonight for his performance in August Wilson's Fences, and Scarlett Johansson and Catherine Zeta-Jones joined the Hollywood-to-Tony parade by picking up statuettes of their own. Best play Red and best musical Memphis also enjoyed big nights, the AP reports . More»

But will his performance be convincing enough for 'Newsweek' critic?

(NEWSER) - Sean Hayes is a Broadway newcomer, but he's nominated for a Tony for lead actor in a musical—and he'll be hosting the award ceremony as well. Today's announcement comes in the wake of the controversy over Newsweek critic Ramin Setoodeh's dismissal of the openly gay Hayes' ability to play straight, and co-star Kristin Chenoweth's stinging rebuttal . By tapping Hayes, the Los Angeles Times notes , the Broadway establishment is standing up for an actor best known for his TV work, as dizzy sidekick Jack on Will & Grace. More»

Kristin Chenoweth defends 'Promises, Promises' co-star Sean Hayes

(NEWSER) - Sean Hayes made his Broadway debut shortly after officially coming out , and his performance has drawn mixed reviews, a Tony nomination—and one scathing notice from Ramin Setoodeh of Newsweek . Setoodeh, who is gay, called Hayes "the big pink elephant in the room" and deemed his performance as a lovestruck straight guy "wooden and insincere." That didn't sit well with co-star Kristen Chenoweth, notes Broadway.com . So she pretty much destroys Setoodeh's argument. More»