NEW YORK — The lavish revival of “South Pacific” took five prizes, including director of a musical, and “Boeing-Boeing, a 1960s sex farce filled with slamming doors and eager stewardesses, was named best revival play, as the 2008 Tony Awards got under way Sunday.
Bartlett Sher, who oversaw “South Pacific,” thanked the show’s legendary creators, composer Richard Rodgers, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, its original director and co-author Joshua Logan, and James Michener, who wrote the novel on which the show was based.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics for “In the Heights,” rapped his way through his acceptance speech for best score. The show won two other musical prizes — for the choreography of Andy Blankenbuehler and for orchestrations.
Stew, the star and co-creator of “Passing Strange” who goes by one name, took the prize for best book of a musical.
“Yeah, yeah. Um. Yeah,” said the almost speechless performer, who did not expect awards to be given out so early. “I thought this going to happen like an hour from now. I was looking for some M&Ms in my pocket.”
“Gypsy” celebrated with two featured-performer awards. Boyd Gaines won his fourth Tony, this time for portraying Herbie, the good-natured candy salesman in the show. And Laura Benanti, who plays the musical’s title character, the ugly duckling who grows up to become the glamorous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, also was victorious.
Rondi Reed, who portrays the flighty sister-in-law in “August: Osage County,” received the featured-actress, play, award.
“South Pacific” also received awards for sets, costumes, lighting and sound for a musical.
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