This year's Tony's did not lack star power! Jane Fonda (who was nominated for her lead role in the play "33 Variations"), James Gandolfini (HBO's Tony Soprano nominated for best actor for "God of Carnage"), Liza Minnelli (for "Liza's at the Palace", a one woman show), Marcia Gay Harden (won for best actress "God of Carnage") Geoffrey Rush (won for best actor "Exit the King"), Angela Lansbury (won featured actress in the play "Blithe Spirit"). Also, Kristin Chenoweth, Edie Falco, Will Ferrell, Nicole Kidman, Anna Hathaway, Jessica Lange, David Hyde Pierce, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Stockard Channing and more were among those being honored for a prestigious Tony nomination that evening.
Jane Fonda on the Red Carpet
Geoffrey Ruch accepting his Tony Award
Liza Minennlli with her Tony Award The opening of this year's 63rd Annual Tony Awards was spectacular. Ten minutes of featured performances from current Broadway shows opened with "Billy Elliot" and included "West Side Story", "Guys and Dolls", "Rock of Ages", "Pal Joey", "Shrek", "9 to 5", and "Liza at the Palace" ending with "Hair" (which included an audience participation). The theater was rocking in the first 10 minutes. Producers definitely wanted to hold and retain the interest of the audiences, and they did.
It was brisk and fast moving. In spite of our economy, the 2008-2009 season consisted of 43 productions. This strong group of productions helped Broadway achieve a record for the year at the box office.

Billy Elliot was certainly the favorite this year bringing home 10 Tony awards. The three young actors David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish did an outstanding job, and all three received a Tony for best actor in a musical, first time ever!
The audience roared when he told the producers to take his advice and go presidential. Mr Harris said "I can see the marquees now "Barrack of Ages", "Phantom of the Oprah", she's almost the president anyway, and "Obama Mia."
As usual prior to the show I visited the extraordinary gift lounge, back stage at Radio City Hall, where it was packed with stars picking out their gifts from a variety of selections. The traditional gift lounge was produced by On 3 Productions. Some of this year's gift choices were: Anoname Jeans for women & Cult of Individuality jeans for men (Liza's favorite).
Frankies fruit and chocolate line (Kristin Chenoweth loves them!). Laduca Couture Shoes (one of my favorites).
Susan Sarandon enjoying her Lipton Iced Tea Jill Sanders eyewear, Nepresso Ultimate Coffee Experience (Jane Fonda's favorite).
Passchal handcrafted handbags (one of Edie Falco's favorite picks of the night)
Phyto hair care and fragrances,
and of course Vera Bradley duffles, the official bag of the celebrities (Marcia Gay Harden and daughter's favorite).

In addition Lipton was serving their hot & cold green teas. They will be making a significant donation to the Broadway Green Alliance. The goal is making broadway greener!
Will Ferrell at the Lipton Table At the end of the evening, winners and losers gathered at a variety of locations to celebrate the night. Tavern on the Green, The Hudson Hotel, Rockefeller Center and several other locations were on the agenda.

Rock on Broadway!!!

For a complete list of the winners CLICK HERE >>

Here are some other photos from the event.


James Carpinello strutting his Rock n' Roll style on the red carpet.
Producers Arny Granat and Kevin McCollum
Harvey Fierstien


Irene Michaels with Will Swenson ("Hair")