It was a night to celebrate the Black women of Broadway as three leading ladies took home their first awards at the 77th Annual Tony Awards, which aired on CBS.
Maleah Joi Moon, who soars in the role of Ali in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, won “Lead Actress in a Musical.” The rising star kept her acceptance speech short and sweet, thanking God, her teachers, the Hell’s Kitchen cast and creative and Keys for making her Broadway debut an unbelievable journey. She dedicated the award to her parents, who deferred their dreams to help Moon achieve hers. “I love you more than words, thank you,” she said breathlessly.
Tony Award winner Kecia Lewis at the 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Image: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions.
Broadway veteran Kecia Lewis, who plays Moon’s mentor in Hell’s Kitchen (and made her Broadway debut in Dreamgirls 40 years ago), let out a gasp of surprised elation after being announced as the “Featured Actress in a Musical” winner. She thanked God and her fellow women in the category. She encouraged all those seeking to achieve a dream to “never give up.”
Tony winner Kara Young at the 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Image: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions.
Kara Young won “Best Featured Actress in a Play” for her hilarious performance in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch. She started her acceptance speech by wishing all a “Happy Father’s Day” and thanked her ancestors, including her grandmother, who passed two weeks after seeing Young in the production. She also honored Ruby Dee, who originated the role of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in the play, which was written by Dee’s husband Ossie Davis.
Branden Jacobs Jenkins’ Appropriate won Best Revival of a Play.
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform during the The 77th Annual Tony Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards.
The 77th Annual Tony Awards broadcast opened with an original All That Jazz-inspired number featuring third-time host Ariana DeBose. During her high kicks and sultry rifts, she noted how seeing an August Wilson play on Broadway may have inspired the nominees to seek a career on the stage. Early in the night, JAY Z made an electrifying surprise performance, joining Keys and cast on stage for “Empire State of Mind,” a number featured in Hell’s Kitchen.
