TONY Award Ceremony 2015

Buddy Beaverhausen watched the TONYs tonight. He was not disappointed but hopes it got good ratings as it was up against some popular sports event on a rival network. Buddy's choice of competitive event, however, was firmly CBS' TONYs.

I adore watching all the production numbers. All singing, all dancing! And that's entertainment!

Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenowith made a wonderful, slightly edgy couple of hosts. Chenowith also performed a production number  from the current revival of On the 20th Century with some of her co-stars. The year's Broadway winner, however, turned out to be The King and I.

I was happy that at least part of Tommy Tune's Lifetime Achievement Award was televised. Chalk this up to Richard Skipper and others in the media for their activism. Apparently, it paid off. Thank you.

TONYs are usually quite an electric, eclectic  and lively affair. This year was no exception.

Chita Rivera and company did a number from the Broadway staging of the current The Visit, though Rivera's character walks with a cane, so her dance steps were curtailed. Still, it was fabulous.

Joel Grey and daughter, Jennifer Grey, came to present. Coincidentally, perhaps, Dirty Dancing: the musical is coming to the Great White Way.

Bernadette Peters presented the Best Actor award (Alan Sharp). Doogie Hauser awarded Kelli O'Hara the Best Actress in a musical trophy for The King and I. Helen Mirren won Best Actress in a play (The Audience).

Best Show was the musical Fun Home. The cast of Jersey Boys closed the event with the self-congratulatory "Oh, What a Night."

There was so much I enjoyed and admired in this telecast. It was a joy to watch the acceptance speeches and stagings. God bless the TONYs. And thanks to my cousin Walter for supplying the popcorn.