2017 Tony Awards: ‘Oslo’ is Best Play, ‘Hello, Dolly!’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Best Musicals

The 71st Tony Awards took place Sunday evening at Radio City Music Hall in New York City with “Dear Evan Hansen” taking home the prize for best new musical, while “Oslo” won best play.

A year after “Hamilton” dominated the 70th Tony Awards, itself a somber affair in the shadow of the devastating shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, there was something for everyone this year and the mood was festive.

The best musical revival award went to the return of “Hello, Dolly!” starring Bette Midler, who won for best actress in a musical and who steadfastly refused to be played off the stage despite the orchestra’s best efforts until she had finished her acceptance speech.

Recognized for best direction of a musical, “Come From Away,” was Christopher Ashley, and Rebecca Taichman for best direction of a play, “Indecent.”

“The Play That Goes Wrong,” which, for its West End production, was named best new comedy at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards, won a Tony for best scenic design of a play, despite its set self-destructing at each performance.

Cynthia Nixon, of “Sex and the City” fame, won best featured actress in a play for “The Little Foxes;” Laurie Metcalf, known to many for “Roseanne,” won best actress in a play for “A Doll’s House, Part 2;” Kevin Kline was named best actor in a play for “Present Laughter;” and Michael Aronov took home the prize for best supporting actor in a play for “Oslo.”

The Tony Awards are a joint venture of the American Theater Wing and the Broadway League, the trade association that represents Broadway theater owners and operators as well as show producers. Over 800 actors, writers, producers, designers, and critics are eligible to vote.

Jonathan Spira contributed reporting.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)