New York – “Jersey Boys,” the fast-moving musical biography of pop icons Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, won best musical Sunday at the 2006 Tony Awards, while “The History Boys,” Alan Bennett’s wise, witty and warmhearted dissection of British education, was named best play.
“The History Boys” received six Tonys, more than any other production, also taking home prizes for actor, Richard Griffiths; director, Nicholas Hytner; featured actress, Frances de la Tour; sets; and lighting.
While “Jersey Boys,” picked up the top musical prize and received four Tonys, its main competitor, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” the Canadian-born musical that affectionately celebrates Broadway’s past, won five, including best book and score.
“You are insanely talented people,” said Julia Roberts before giving the best-actor prize to Griffiths for his portrayal of an unorthodox yet beloved teacher in “The History Boys.”
In his Broadway debut, John Lloyd Young, who plays Valli in “Jersey Boys,” took the top actor-musical award and dedicated the prize to his father.
LaChanze won for her portrayal of the courageous Celie in “The Color Purple” in the actress-musical category.
“Thank you, America,” exulted “Drowsy” star Bob Martin, who co-wrote the book with Don McKellar.
The Canadian winners said they were proud that the show originated in Toronto.
“It’s the longest-running show in Canadian history – 12 performances – we celebrated that,” Martin said with a laugh.
Their Canadian cohorts, Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, received the prize for music and lyrics. And an exuberant Beth Leavel, who portrays the show’s inebriated title character, scooped up the featured-actress musical prize.
Cynthia Nixon, playing a distraught mother who loses a young son in an auto accident, won the best actress-play prize for her performance in “Rabbit Hole.”
Ian McDiarmid, who plays Ralph Fiennes’ fey, funny manager in “Faith Healer,” yelped out a “fantastic” as he ended his speech thanking voters for his featured-actor prize.
John Doyle received the prize for direction of a musical for his work on “Sweeney Todd,” in which the cast plays the show’s instruments. The revival also grabbed an award for its new, spare orchestrations.
Christian Hoff, who plays tough, wise-guy Tommy DeVito in “Jersey Boys,” won the featured actor-musical prize.
For the first time, Broadway attendance topped the 12 million mark, jumping past the 11.9 million reached in the season before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Complete list of 2006 Tony winners announced Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York:
Play: “The History Boys.”
Musical: “Jersey Boys.”
Book-Musical: “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Bob Martin and Don McKellar.
Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics): “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.
Revival-Play: “Awake and Sing!”
Revival-Musical: “The Pajama Game.”
Actor-Play: Richard Griffiths, “The History Boys.”
Actress-Play: Cynthia Nixon, “Rabbit Hole.”
Actor-Musical: John Lloyd Young, “Jersey Boys.”
Actress-Musical: LaChanze, “The Color Purple.”
Featured Actor-Play: Ian McDiarmid, “Faith Healer.”
Featured Actress-Play: Frances de la Tour, “The History Boys.”
Featured Actor-Musical: Christian Hoff, “Jersey Boys.”
Featured Actress-Musical: Beth Leavel, “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Direction-Play: Nicholas Hytner, “The History Boys.”
Direction-Musical: John Doyle, “Sweeney Todd.” Choreography: Kathleen Marshall, “The Pajama Game.”
Orchestrations: Sarah Travis, “Sweeney Todd.”
Scenic Design-Play: Bob Crowley, “The History Boys.” Scenic
Design-Musical: David Gallo, “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Costume Design-Play: Catherine Zuber, “Awake and Sing!”
Costume Design-Musical: Gregg Barnes, “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Lighting Design-Play: Mark Henderson, “The History Boys.”
Lighting Design-Musical: Howell Binkley, “Jersey Boys.”
Regional Theater Tony Award: Intiman Theatre, Seattle.
Special Tony Award: Sarah Jones, “Bridge and Tunnel.”
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Harold Prince.
