Speaking with POSE creator/producer Ryan Murphy at an event in support of the Emmy-nominated series, Billy Porter says he felt "set free" shooting the acclaimed FX series.
For Porter, who spent decades struggling as an openly gay black artist, shooting Pose was cathartic.
“The first ball day sticks out really clearly to me because I was doing what I thought my television performance should be. I was trying to play Pray Tell and be smaller, be still, don’t be so crazy.
"[Murphy] walks in and is like, ‘Are you going to give me the sh*t? I need the sh*t. I need you. I need whatever you do,’” he recalled. “I had never said anything to him about it, but he knew instinctively. I was set free on that day, and I never turned back.”
Later in the chat, Porter added he made a conscious decision years ago to choose himself - his "sanity" and "authenticity" - over fame.
“20 years ago, I looked at the landscape, I looked at my life, I looked at what my choices were, and I made the choice to choose myself, choose my sanity over my fame, choose my authenticity over all else, and took every hit that comes with that,” Porter said. “Never did I imagine that I could and would be a first.”
POSE star Billy Porter told Variety his solution to the controversy over Equinox/SoulCycle owner Stephen Ross hosting a campaign fundraising event for Donald Trump is simple: “Leave.”
“That’s what activism is. It doesn’t work unless you hit these people where their bank accounts are.
"You don’t get to have these views and rape and pillage from us. That whole business is built on queer people, people of color, the whole business is built on that. So we need to go. It is an us and a they. That’s what it is. I didn’t do that part.
"That’s where we are and so therefore, my Equinox membership is canceled.”
As we're enjoying season 2 of the acclaimed FX series POSE, I see many on social media living for the musical performances on the show, especially by Tony Award winner Billy Porter as 'Pray Tell.'
But some may not realize how extensive Porter's recording career is.
After winning the television talent show Star Search back in 1992 (while performing on Broadway), Porter began making his mark in the recording studio.
One of his most well-known pop music tracks (even if folks didn't know it was the future Golden Globe/Emmy Award nominee) was "Love Is On The Way," the lead single from the soundtrack of the 1996 Bette Midler / Goldie Hawn / Diane Keaton film, The First Wives Club.
Porter's own albums offer his own distinct musical style which combines R&B, pop, and soul.
His latest single, "Love Yourself," an upbeat paean to looking to ourselves first for approval.
The song "Time," from his spectacular live one-man show, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul, was written by Porter and grabbed national attention when it was featured on the reality dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance.
He also recently teamed up with his longtime friend, two-time OutMusic Award winner Matt Zarley, on a cover of the 1994 Des'ree hit, "You Gotta Be." Again, the theme of self-love and empowerment weaves its way through the Porter catalog. Note - all proceeds of the new recording go to the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Billy Porter has come to be seen as almost larger than life when you consider his passionate performances in the acclaimed FX series, POSE, as well as his bold and unabashed fashion choices which have earned him the title of ‘Red Carpet Ninja.’
But in a recent interview with veteran journalist Katie Couric for her ‘In My Orbit’ video series, Porter offers candid, personal insights into how he came to view his talent and how it could save him during a difficult childhood.
Surrounded by several of the outfits he’s made famous at Christian Siriano's The Curated NYC, Porter explains that it was ultimately his voice that helped him find acceptance within his own family.
“I understood that the talent that I have is not what everybody gets,” shared the Tony Award winner without ego.
“When I sang, the people around me behaved differently,” said Porter. “You know, my family wasn’t scared of my sissiness anymore when I sang. That was the one thing that kept them comforted - was when I could sing. So it became: ‘Well, just sing as loud as you can and as high as you can for as long as you can until you can get out.’”
“And I did,” added Porter.
Upon moving to New York City after training at Carnegie Mellon University, one of the leading theater schools in the country, Porter already knew his plan: “I would play my trump card, which was this crazy voice. And then once I got in, and started working, then an expansioncould happen and I could show the rest of myself.”
But that’s not what happened. Instead, Porter found himself pigeon-holed as the ‘sassy, Black, queeny, flamboyant clown.’
But then he saw Jeffrey Wright as “Belize” in the original Broadway cast of the ground-breaking Angels In America, and he suddenly saw a space for himself.
“For the first time, I saw a Black gay man who was not reviled and not just the comic relief,” shared Porter. “He was a human being, like a real human being.”
He would eventually play that role in the off-Broadway revival, but as he admits here, to shut down the ‘clown’ roles, he stopped working commercially for 13 years.
Then along came a little show named Kinky Boots. And a Tony Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical.’
And then, Ryan Murphy and POSE, which Porter still seems to be wrapping his head around to this day.
“It blows my mind. There was no context to dream up a show like POSE; to dream up a character like ‘Pray Tell.’ There was no space for that,” he tells Couric. “That’s what Ryan Murphy and this situation has allowed for me to understand how to do - is dream the impossible. There are no limits.”
Bringing up his recent star turns on the awards show red carpets, Porter's enthusiasm is evident.
“I’ve always loved the red carpet, I’ve always loved fashion,” gushes the vibrant actor. “I have always been a fashion person, and if you talk to anyone who’s known me for years, they’re like, ‘Duh!’”
I can attest the fashion love and the effusive personality we see in this interview is exactly the Billy Porter I've known since the early 1990s.
“In the quiet moments, I find the tears streaming down my face. The gratitude, the joy. Like, I lived long enough to see this day,” he admits quietly.
What's next for Porter?
"I want to be Oprah. I want to be Beyonce. I want to be the one writing the checks. I want to be the one telling myself 'Yes.' That's next."
In the afterglow of his Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
category for his work as 'Pray Tell' in the acclaimed FX series POSE, Billy Porter shared with The Wrap how the show is teaching all kinds of people - himself included - about a world too few understand.
“There are a lot of older white people who are watching the show who stop me on the street and thank us for being brave and bold enough to stand inside of our truth — when many in the world think our truth is insignificant, that our truth is mutable, that it’s dismissible. That our humanity is up for legislation, constantly."
“Some of the people that I’ve come in contact with are conservatives. Conservatives are human beings, too. They can be moved and can be changed. It’s all about respecting each other’s humanity. We get to teach people how to do that. How to love. How to choose love and not hate.”
“I came out when I was 16 in 1987 and we went straight to the front line to fight for our lives. I have realized with this show that the T in LGBTQ has been really absent from my knowledge,” he said.
“If you want to see real authenticity, the bravest kind of authenticity, look at these transgender people and how they live.
"The choice in this world. The necessity to be authentic. We throw that word around a lot. I always say it’s easy to be who you are when what you are is what’s popular. These are true heroes, in my book. and true teachers. They’re teaching us what it means to be honest to be truthful to be authentic — no matter what.”
The 2019 Primetime Emmy Award nominations are out and, as expected, Billy Porter snagged a well-earned nomination for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work as "Pray Tell" in FX's acclaimed series, Pose.
Porter makes history as the first openly gay black man to be nominated for a Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy Award.
The series, which chronicles the ball culture of New York City in the late 80s at the height of the AIDS epidemic, was also nominated in the Outstanding Drama Series category.
RuPaul's Drag Race was also honored with nine nominations including Outstanding Competition Series.
My favorite limited series of the year, Fosse/Verdon, received 17 nominations including nods for Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Limited Series for Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams respectively.
And - Randy Report favorite Randy Rainbow snagged a nod for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series.
HBO's Game of Thrones led the scoreboard with a whopping 32 nominations.
The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Here is the list of acting and series nominees. The full list of nominees can be found at Emmys.com.
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:
Mahershala Ali — “True Detective” (HBO)
Benicio Del Toro — “Escape at Dannemora” (Showtime)
Hugh Grant — “A Very English Scandal” (BBC)
Jared Harris — “Chernobyl” (HBO)
Jharrel Jerome — “When They See Us” (Netflix)
Sam Rockwell — “Fosse/Verdon” (FX)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:
Amy Adams — “Sharp Objects” (HBO)
Patricia Arquette — “Escape at Dannemora” (Showtime)
Aunjanue Ellis — “When They See Us” (Netflix)
Joey King — “The Act” (Hulu)
Niecy Nash — “When They See Us” (Netflix)
Michelle Williams — “Fosse/Verdon” (FX)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Anthony Anderson — “Black-ish” (ABC)
Don Cheadle — “Black Monday” (Showtime)
Ted Danson — “The Good Place” (NBC)
Michael Douglas — “The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
Bill Hader — “Barry” (HBO)
Eugene Levy — “Schitt’s Creek” (CBC Television)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Christina Applegate — “Dead to Me” (Netflix)
Rachel Brosnahan — “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)
Julia Louis-Dryfus — “Veep” (HBO)
Natasha Lyonne — “Russian Doll” (Netflix)
Catherine O’Hara — “Schitt’s Creek” (CBC Television)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge — “Fleabag” (Amazon)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series:
Jason Bateman — “Ozark” (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown — “This is Us” (NBC)
Kit Harington — “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
Bob Odenkirk — “Better Call Saul” (Netflix/AMC)
Billy Porter — “Pose” (FX)
Milo Ventimiglia — “This is Us” (NBC)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Emilia Clarke — “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
Jodie Comer — “Killing Eve” (BBC/AMC)
Viola Davis — “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
Laura Linney — “Ozark” (Netflix)
Mandy Moore — “This is Us” (NBC)
Sandra Oh — “Killing Eve” (BBC/AMC)
Robin Wright — “House of Cards” (Netflix)
Outstanding Variety Talk Series:
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC)
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)
“The Late Late Show with James Cordon” (CBS)
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS)
Outstanding Television Movie:
“Bandersnatch: Black Mirror” (Netflix)
“Brexit” (Amazon)
“Deadwood: The Movie” (HBO)
“King Lear” (BBC)
“My Dinner with Herve” (HBO)
Outstanding Limited Series:
“Chernobyl” (HBO)
“Escape at Dannemora” (Showtime)
“Fosse/Verdon” (FX)
“Sharp Objects” (HBO)
“When They See Us” (Netflix)
Outstanding Comedy Series:
“Barry” (HBO)
“Fleabag” (Amazon)
“The Good Place” (NBC)
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)
“Russian Doll” (Netflix)
“Schitt’s Creek” (CBC Television)
“Veep” (HBO)
Outstanding Drama Series:
“Better Call Saul” (AMC)
“Bodyguard” (Netflix)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Killing Eve” (BBC America)
“Ozark” (Netflix)
“Pose” (FX)
“Succession” (HBO)
“This Is Us” (NBC)
Whoopi Goldberg will host the ceremony, featuring a growing medley of acclaimed speakers and performers.
Cyndi Lauper, iconic performer for the LQBTQIA+ community and New Yorkers alike, leads the initial release of the talent line-up.
Chaka Khan, one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, will also perform at the WorldPride Opening Ceremony.
Ciara, a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress has sold more than 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” and “I Bet.”
Billy Porter is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently stars as ‘Pray Tell’, in in the FX series “Pose," for which he has received both a Golden Globe and Critics Choice nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Todrick Hall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, actor, director, choreographer, and YouTube personality who rose to prominence on American Idol.
The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youths—assisting nearly 1,800 young people per year through a 24-hour Drop-In Center, which provides over 65,000 meals annually, medical and mental health services through an on-site clinic, and a scattered-site housing program.
SAGE is the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978, and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is an organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers.
Immigration Equality is the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, representing and advocating for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.
The powers that be have added even more talent to make June 26th an unforgettable evening at the Barclays Center!
Catch Alyssa Edwards, Alaska Thunderfuck, Shangela, Yvie Oddly, and Bob the Drag Queen this Wednesday at our benefit concert supporting Immigration Equality, SAGE, and Ali Forney Center.
Have you purchased your tickets to the WorldPride Opening Ceremony yet? Click here for info.
Billy Porter, currently starring in the second season of the acclaimed FX series Pose, has been announced to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to Variety.
The Golden Globe nominee will be honored at an induction ceremony in Los Angeles at a date to be announced.
After spending the 1990s appearing in Broadway musicals like Grease, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Five Guys Named Moe, and Miss Saigon, Porter took a hiatus from the Great White Way. He said he was tired of being trotted out to center stage to sing a show stopping number but never being given the chance for meatier roles.
In 2017, he penned an essay for the New York Times explaining his decision to turn down those stereotypical roles writing, "It was time to lay down the clown games of my past and find a new dream."
For years he waited for opportunities, begging for a chance to be seen for roles like the Emcee in Cabaret, and the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. But, to no avail.
So he stepped back, and decided to create his own stories.
He enrolled in a screenwriting course at UCLA; he became an artist-in-residence at the Public Theater in New York City where he would create his one-man show, Ghetto Superstar.
He finally got his chance at a heavy-duty role when he was cast in the 2010 off-Broadway revival of Angels in America in the role of "Belize." As Porter says, "It took me 15 years to do so, but the game had officially been changed."
Then in 2012, Broadway came calling with a star-making role - drag queen "Lola" in the new musical Kinky Boots. Playing to all of his strengths, he broke through to a whole new level snatching up the Tony Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical' in 2013.
In 2018, at an audition for the role of the dance teacher for the then-in-development Pose, Porter told casting directorAlexa Fogel he didn't feel the role spoke to him.
Having lived through the heyday of the 1980s ball culture during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Porter suggested a new role - a paternal, 'daddy' character to help usher the inhabitants of the ballroom through their struggles.
“Would you like to have a daddy in the room?,” said Porter.
Weeks later, Fogel rang Porter up and said producer Ryan Murphy agreed with his idea. Porter was asked to come in with his version of the emcee from the film Paris Is Burning.
The rest, as they say, is history.
With all his recent successes, Porter is still creating in the theater.
He is the author of the 2014 off-Broadway play, While I Yet Live, as well as Untitled Sex Project, scheduled to premiere off-Broadway this fall with Porter in a starring role.
Additionally, he will direct Dan McCabe's world premiere play The Purists at Boston's Huntington Theatre Company this summer.
Cast members of 'Broadway Bares: Take Off'
(photo: Billy Bustamante)
Broadway’s sexiest event of the year, Broadway Bares, offered a spectacular romp around the world this past weekend, and we’ve got the video to prove it.
Over two performances at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City Sunday night, Broadway’s hottest dancers raised a record-breaking $2+ million forBroadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. Thanks to BC/EFA, men, women and children across the country receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance.
This year’s theme, Broadway Bares: Take Off, featured nearly 200 performers onstage including Tony & Grammy Award winner Billy Porter, two-time Tony nominee Christopher Sieber, GLEE alum Alex Newell and Grammy/Tony nominee Ashley Park.
Check out the highlights reel:
The travel theme allowed the creators to take the audience on a sexy, sensual, fun-filled trip around the world.
One number, titled “Ground Crew,” showed what happens when a flight is delayed on the tarmac and the all-male ground crew has to sweat through their shift.
Led by Adam Perry, the number (choreographed by Andrew Turteltaub) featured buff baggage handlers taking care of business.
Other highlights included a sexy ‘mile-high club’ number; an all-female excursion through Amsterdam’s Red Light district; and a Parisian fashion show led by Pose star Billy Porter that evolved into a vogueing battle.
With this year being the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the show’s travels ended (where else?) with a performance set in the historic Stonewall Inn.
Porter also returned at the end of the show to perform his new Pride anthem, “Love Yourself.”
Addressing the packed crowd, Porter spoke passionately of “community” and “unbowed determination.”
“Broadway Bares is about the joy of community, the love we share and the care we show for each other,” said the Tony Award winning actor. “These are both glorious and difficult days. We have so much to celebrate and be proud of. But at the same time we are surely shaken, angry and saddened by the cruelty, inequality and torrent of lies that confront us on a daily basis.”
“But as I look over this beautiful audience and see thousands standing together, unbowed, we will not be dismissed or demeaned. For we are empowered by love, determination and courage,” he continued. “We will not be stigmatized for the very things that make us beautiful, expressive beings.”
And yes, it does take a village. In addition to the 200 onstage performers, backstage there were 41 stage managers and 700 volunteers, including 70 MAC makeup artists, all helping to make the magic.
With 29 editions of the ‘striptacular’ event now on the books, Broadway Bares has raised an amazing $21.1 million for BC/EFA.
Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $300 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses.
Just to give you a sense of how massive the event is, here’s a clip from the finale via Broadway Bares creator, Tony Award winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell:
TVLine reports the awesome news that LGBTQ-drama Pose has been picked up for a 3rd season, less than a week after the show’s Season 2 premiere.
The series, which tells the story of New York City's 'ball culture' during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The series boasts the largest number of transgender season regulars in television history.
The June 11th season two premiere was the most-watched telecast of the series, drawing 1.2 million total viewers and 572,00 adults ages 18-49, generating series high ratings in total viewers.
Season 2 kicked off last Tuesday, with a time jump to 1990 and the release of Madonna’s “Vogue,” which shone a spotlight on the ball community.
“Pose has elevated our culture and the TV landscape like few shows before it,” FX chairman John Landgraf said in a statement, “and we are honored to partner with co-creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals on a third season.”
Series star Billy Porter and the series itself were nominated at the Golden Globe Awards this year.
Personally, I'm thrilled. I think the series is not only delivering important history to a television audience, but many of the performances are just sensational.
Taylor Swift dropped her awesome new music video for “You Need To Calm Down” and it’s packed to the gills with LGBTQ stars, celebs and personalities.
Featured in the video are Ellen DeGeneres, Laverne Cox, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Ciara, RuPaul, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita, Billy Porter, Adam Lambert, Adam Rippon, Ryan Reynolds, Hayley Kiyoko, Todrick Hall, Chester Lockhart, Dexter Mayfield, Hannah Hart, and Katy Perry.
Billy Porter
The song shows Taylor's "all-in" support for the LGBTQ community as the video is full of plastic wading pools, crowns for queens, bouncy beats, glitter, and queer references like GLAAD and shade.
The music video's release arrives just weeks after Swift shared an open letter to her Republican Tennessee U.S. senators calling for their support for the Equality Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
And Friday night, she surprised folks at the historic Stonewall Inn with an impromptu performance of her mega-hit "Shake It Off."
The climax of the vid is an epic trailer park food fight followed by the message:
"Let's show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally.
"Please sign my petition for Senate support of the Equality Act on Change.org.
Billy Porter (L) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Tony and Grammy Award winner Billy Porter dropped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert this week to chat on his renowned red carpet looks, the power and politics of fashion, and his acclaimed FX series Pose.
Porter also took the time to give Colbert a little fashion 'shug' via designer accessories.
It's a fun segment, but Porter does get to make some important points about how people view men's and women's fashion as political statements.
Stephen Colbert
Remembering Hollywood legend Katherine Hepburn's penchant for wearing pants back when women simply didn't do that, it was viewed as "powerful."
But as Billy says, a man flips the script, puts on a dress, and it's called "disgusting."
And why is that? Because men's clothing is perceived as 'strong' while women's fashion is seen as 'weak?'
Good questions to think on.
Billy also noted that Jesus wore a dress. So there.
Tony and Grammy Award-Winner Billy Porter releases his new gospel-tinged single “Love Yourself” right on time for Pride Month.
“I’m thrilled to be spreading the message of self-love to my community whose humanity and worth have been up for legislation for way too long," says Porter about the release. "On this 50th anniversary of Stonewall I’m proud to unite with my LGBTQ brothers & sisters to remind the world that we’re here and we ain’t goin’ nowhere. Love always wins!”
During World Pride programming this year, Porter will serve as co-host of ABC’s telecast of the Pride March in New York City, and will serve as one of the Grand Marshals alongside his POSE co-stars.
In addition, Porter will serve as Master of Ceremonies for CFDA and Susanne Bartsch’s Love Ball III, taking place on June 25th at Gotham Hall in New York City.
This is what we need on this fab Friday. Hit play and bounce.
'The Boys in the Band' was honored as the Best Revival of a Play
at the 2019 Tony Awards
The theater world celebrated the best of this year’s Broadway season at the 73rd Annual Tony Awards Sunday night, and the festivities were - no surprise - très gay.
At one point in the telecast, presenter Ben Platt told the viewing audience, “For anyone at home who is a latecomer who is just now tuning in, yes, these are the Tony Awards, and you are, in fact, gay.”
The evening began with Pose star Billy Porter once again slaying on the red carpet wearing a red and pink Celestino Couture design in front of a Pride-inspired floral background. The dress was fashioned from the actual show curtain that hung at the Al Hirschfeld Theater where Porter earned his Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in Kinky Boots.
Porter, who presented during ceremony, was also called on by host James Corden to entertain during a commercial break. Choosing from a list of songs to sing, Porter chose - what else? - “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from Gypsy.
Just to give a sense of what’s happening while all of us regular folks are watching commercials, hit the play button below. You’ll be very glad you did.
Back to the awards handed out, perhaps the biggest gay victory was the acclaimed revival of the iconic 1968 play, The Boys in the Band, snatching up the award for Best Revival of a Play.
The limited-run production had an all-star cast that included Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesús (also nominated for his performance in the play), Michael Benjamin Washington, Brian Hutchison, and Tuc Watkins.
The win makes 83-year-old Mort Crowley the oldest playwright to win the award.
Openly bisexual Ali Stroker took home the Tony for Best Featured Acress in a Musical for her scene-stealing take on “Ado Annie” in the new revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! The GLEE Project alum becomes the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony Award.
In her acceptance speech, she told the audience, “This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena, you are.”
She later joined her cast mates in a performance from the reimagined take on the classic musical which went on to win the award for Best Revival.
The Prom, a musical about a high school senior whose prom is cancelled after she’s told she can’t bring her girlfriend, was nominated in several categories but didn’t win any.
But, the cast did perform during the show with a same-sex lip-lock between female leads Isabelle McCalla and Caitlin Kinnunen.
The Cher Show, based on the life and career of the Oscar winning superstar, saw gay fashion designer Bob Mackie win his first Tony at the age of 80 for his brilliant costume designs.
And Stephanie J. Block, one of the three actresses who play Cher during the production, won the Best Actress in a Musical honor for her work.
Other openly gay artists honored for their work included:
• Much-beloved Broadway veteran André DeShields (Ain’t Misbehavin’) won his first Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Hadestown.
In his acceptance speech, Shields offered this wisdom for success in life: "Surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming; slowly is the fastest way to where you want to be; the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next … so keep climbing”
• Choreographer Sergio Trujillo won Best Choreography for Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations.
• Legendary playwright Terrence McNally, whose body of work (Love! Valor! Compassion!, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, The Ritz) has explored several aspects of the LGBTQ community, was honored for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
And while they didn’t win, non-binary playwright Taylor Mac introduced their play Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus wearing a wildly creative design.
LGBTQ ally (and two-time Tony Award winner) Judith Light received the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community and the fight against AIDS.
At the end of the evening, Hadestown (a contemporary take on Ancient Greek myth) won Best Musical, and The Ferryman (the story of the family of a former IRA activist living in rural Northern Ireland) took home the trophy for Best Play.
Watch André DeShields lead the cast of Hadestown in their Tony performance, “Wait For Me.”
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Musical: “Hadestown”
Best Play: “The Ferryman”
Best Revival of a Musical: “Oklahoma!”
Best Revival of a Play: “The Boys in the Band”
Best Book of a Musical: “Tootsie,” Robert Horn
Best Original Score: “Hadestown,” music and lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell
Best Direction of a Play: Sam Mendes, “The Ferryman”
Best Direction of a Musical: Rachel Chavkin, “Hadestown”
Best Leading Actor in a Play: Bryan Cranston, “Network”
Best Leading Actress in a Play: Elaine May, “The Waverly Gallery”
Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Santino Fontana, “Tootsie”
Best Leading Actress in a Musical: Stephanie J. Block, “The Cher Show”
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Bertie Carvel, “Ink”
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Celia Keenan-Bolger, “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: André De Shields, “Hadestown”
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ali Stroker, “Oklahoma!”
Best Scenic Design of a Play: Rob Howell, “The Ferryman”
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Rachel Hauck, “Hadestown”
Best Costume Design of a Play: Rob Howell, “The Ferryman”
Best Costume Design of a Musical: Bob Mackie, “The Cher Show”
Best Lighting Design of a Play: Neil Austin, “Ink”
Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Bradley King, “Hadestown”
Best Sound Design of a Play: Fitz Patton, “Choir Boy”
Best Sound Design of a Musical: Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, “Hadestown”
Best Choreography: Sergio Trujillo, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations”
Best Orchestrations: Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, “Hadestown”
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Rosemary Harris, Terrence McNally, Harold Wheeler
Isabelle Stevenson Award: Judith Light
Regional Theater Tony Award: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
When Tony Award winner & Pose star Billy Porter released his take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, "Edelweiss," he shared in the social media post:
The Edelweiss flower blooms in the cold and snow and reminds us that we can and must flourish in the darkest of times.
