Patti LuPone News

Backstage Creations, specialists in award show gifts and custom backstage Celebrity Retreats™, produced the gift suite at the 2012 Tony Awards® at the Beacon Theater, in New York City. The 66th Annual Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, were televised live on Sunday, June 10th 8/7c on CBS.

Tony night was one for the record books and BroadwayWorld.com brought you live updates all night, with LOTS more to come...Here are highlights from the three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012.

Overflowing with enthusiasm and energy, the true star of the 2012 Tony Awards was unquestionably three-time host and affable Broadway spokesman extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris, doing what he does best - namely, being the host with the most. Whether web-slinging behind Angela Lansbury and Ted Chapin or leading a spectacular production number with Patti LuPone and a lawnmower, Harris proved yet again why is he is the best in the biz at this sort of thing - well, right up there along with Hugh Jackman, at least. Speaking of whom, in addition to a goosebump-inducing trailer for the forthcoming Tom Hooper-directed film adaptation of the Broadway sensation LES MISERABLES, Hugh Jackman was featured on the Tony Awards telecast and personally on hand to receive a well-earned special Tony Award for his many fundraising successes over the course of his three-show Broadway career, as was crossover superstar Bernadette Peters who took home a special Tony Award for her BC/EFA and Broadway Barks efforts. Adding to the star quotient of the night was Broadway/Hollywood super direct Mike Nichols, giving one of the classiest (despite the CBS-sanction bleep; on the same word as during Danny Burstein's FOLLIES turn, "godammit", incidentlly) and most profound acceptance speeches on the Tony Awards in recent memory - breaking the current record with, now, six Best Director statuettes, by the way. As far as musical performances go, in addition to Harris's triptych of showstoppers throughout the show - without even mentioning the many biting and sassy remarks, jokes and offhand commets; staged and otherwise - there were some seriously strong showings from almost all new musicals and revivals currently running, and even one or two terrific turns from productions already shuttered. The musical highlights of the night were Josh Young and the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in a spirited and divine take on the title song from the celebrated Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, as well as good showings from new musical head-to-head, nail-bite-worthy competitors, ONCE and NEWSIES, plus one or two other swoon-worthy moments, too. The 2011-2012 Broadway season may not have been a record-breaker insofar as outstanding content and memorable modern classics - while NEWSIES is certainly a smash, last year's THE BOOK OF MORMON is the type of hit we only see once a decade or so, and, therefore, is a bit eclipsed; and, ONCE won Best Musical, anyway - but Harris and the team of this year's show made it an unusually entertaining and unique Tony telecast, even when compared to the finest shows on the past - particularly those from the rightly lauded Cohen era. ONCE may have dominated the wins, but the many musical numbers showed that there is a lot of room for enjoyment whether or not your personal favorite show took home the prizes. Most of all, Neil Patrick Harris proved he was once, twice, three times a Tony triumph.

ONCE, el musical basado en la película del mismo nombre ha obtenido ocho premios Tony en las once categorías para las que estaba nominado incluyendo Mejor Musical, Mejor Director y Mejor Actor Principal. Le siguen Peter And The Starcatcher con cinco premios, y Newsies, Nice Work..., y Porgy and Bess con dos premios cada uno.

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are underway! The ceremony is being broadcast tonight, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. Check out this year's hilarious opening number, which featured host Neil Patrick Harris and appearances by Amanda Seyfried, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Patti LuPone, and more!

Planning a party? Need to know what's happening when tonight? Can't help yourself? Read on...

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

The second annual 'Night of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center - will take place at Playwrights Horizons on Monday, June 18.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: KChen takes on City Center, POTTED POTTER comes to America, MAMMA MIA! gets new leads, and so much more!

This week's topics: Chorus Boys, cold or 'spoiled', Patrick back on Broadway, Lily Rabe I love you, Sondheim Survey, Patti LuPone at 54 Below, Che in 'Evita'

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

The big day is here! Follow our LIVE coverage starting from Tony Rehearsals starting at approximately 10am. Want to know who's performing what? What order to expect the awards in and other tidbits? Spoil yourself!

Welcome to the BroadwayGirlNYC 2012 Tony Awards LIVE BLOG!!

Carrie Dunn, BWW:UK's editor-in-chief, gives the perspective from the other side of the Atlantic

Yesterday, June 5, theatre legend Patti LuPone opened the new nightclub and restaurant, 54 Below, with a two-week engagement of a new act that will run through June 16. Before the star took the stage for the evening performance, she treated the press to a special sneak peek of the show and BroadwayWorld was there to talk to the star and capture her memorable performance!

Mc Coy Rigby Entertainment & Fox Operator Bill Malone of FX Arts, in association with Nederlander Presentations, Albert Nocciolino, Larry Payton, Michael Filerman and Heni Koenigsberg, bring audiences in Riverside the final production of the 2011-2012 season with the ultimate musical theatre experience for the entire family, Cathy Rigby and Brent Barrett starring in PETER PAN, a musical production of the play by Sir James Barrie, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Moose Charlap, additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and additional music by Jule Styne, beginning June 29.

Yesterday, June 5, theatre legend Patti Lupone opened the new nightclub and restaurant, 54 Below, with a two-week engagement of a new act that will run through June 16. LuPone will play the venue Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm. In honor of the grand opening, LuPone treated the press to a special sneak peek of the show and BroadwayWorld was there!