‘The Band’s Visit’ Sweeps the 2018 Tony Awards, ‘Harry Potter’ Wins Best Play

NEW YORK—The 72nd Tony Awards took place Sunday evening at Radio City Music Hall in New York City with “The Band’s Visit,” the story of an Egyptian police band stranded in Israel after going to the wrong town, winning 10 awards including best new musical. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” won the Tony for best play.

In what was by some considered to be an upset in a year with revivals of “My Fair Lady” and “Carousel,” the best revival of a musical award went to the return of “Once on This Island,” while the best revival of a play went to Tony Kushner’s masterpiece, “Angels in America.”

Bruce Springsteen, who performed during the program, received a special Tony for his ongoing show “Springsteen on Broadway.” Academy Award winner Robert De Niro received a standing ovation after he uttered “F— Trump” before he introduced Springsteen.

The co-hosts for the 72nd Tony Awards were Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban. The list of presenters and performers at the show included Kerry Washington, Jim Parsons, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Patti LuPone, Katharine McPhee, Tina Fey, Billy Joel, Matthew Morrison, Kelli O’Hara, Zachary Quinto and Andrew Rannells.

Recognized for best direction of a musical, “The Band’s Visit,” was David Cromer, and John Tiffany for best direction of a play, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

Chita Rivera and Andrew Lloyd Weber were recognized with special Tony Awards for lifetime achievement in the theater.

Andrew Garfield won a Tony for best leading actor in a play for his role as Prior Walter in “Angels in America,” while Tony Shalhoub won for best leading actor in a musical for his role in “The Band’s Visit.”

Glenda Jackson won a Tony for best leading actress in a play for her role in “Three Tall Women,” while Katrina Lenk won for best leading actress in a musical for her role in “The Band’s Visit.”

La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, founded in 1961 by theatre pioneer Ellen Stewart, was recognized with the Tony Award for best regional theater.

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 to this story.

(Photos: Accura Media Group)