Renee Elise Goldsberry
This is extremely unique, and I stared at it for a while before concluding that SHE LOOKS AMAZING.
Renee Elise Goldsberry in Oscar de la Renta
And this is stunning. I don't know why people feel the need to change -- she did immediately, as she was featured in the opener in this yellow dress, but none of the other women did? -- but she was flawless in both, so... indecision never looked so swell.
Daveed Diggs
We knew he was going to wear something bonkers. We did. It was written in the stars. It is... objectively heinous. The pants seem to have been tailored specifically to show the blue socks, and the shirt underneath is as irrelevant as nunchucks at a petting zoo.
AND THE SLEEVES. The base suit is nice, and y'all know I enjoy his flavor of wacky, but those things are tubes of hallucinogens. They are like if Fraulein Maria existed today and had gone into menswear.
Daveed Diggs
That woman is like, "OMG I MATCH HIS SLEEVES AND ALSO HIS CHARISMA MAYBE JUST GOT ME PREGNANT."
Daveed Diggs
The more I look at him, the more I want someone to make a dress out of the top part. Also, his girlfriend is lovely. Her dress somehow confuses me LESS than his suit although it is surely unusual.
Leslie Odom Jr.
I am THRILLED that he won. For act two alone... I mean, honestly, "The Room Where It Happens" is probably what tipped it, because like a once-coiled snake Burr suddenly comes alive. But Mr. Burr, sir, can we agree the hem of those pants is premature? Sure.
Leslie Odom
They really don't work, Leslie. They DON'T.
Nicolette Robinson, Leslie Odom Jr.
His wife looks GLORIOUS, though (fun fact: she played one of a rotating cabal of Belles on Hart of Dixie!).
And what I thought was most endearing was how BADLY he seemed to want it. Like, when they called his name, he seemed TENSE with how much he wanted to win. And you don't often see that, so I found it really refreshing. (I also wonder what that means... you could say, maybe it means he's decided to stay, and winning the Tony would validate that; you could also argue it means he's already gambled on deciding to leave, hoping that he'd be doing so with a Tony under his arm and endless opportunities awaiting. WHO KNOWS. ... Well, he does, presumably.)
Christopher Jackson
HERE COMES THE GENERAL.
Jonathan Groff
I know this isn't a good shot of his outfit, but: Trust me that it looks great when he's standing still, and I just preferred the adorable energy present here.
Philippa Soo and Steven Pasquale
These two are engaged, in case you hadn't heard (you may recall him as Mark Furman from The People vs. OJ Simpson, or Alicia's campaign manager Johnny Elfman from The Good Wife). She looks very pretty and in fact quite bridal in this. Mostly, I'm awed that her face is a PERFECT example of natural-looking makeup, the likes of which would rival Brie Larson's offerings.
Philippa Soo
I thought you should see her shoes. They are quite special.
Chris Jackson
SPEAKING OF SPECIAL. It actually physically HURTS that he is not the one on the money.
Hamilton at the Tonys
And Peggy! Jasmine Cephas Jones looks PHENOMENAL.
Hamilton cast
This coda would have been awkward if Hamilton had not won. Presumably they were tipped off (not that they needed to be). This song was my very first Tonys prediction because of the "history is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world" lyric, and because you get a good Burr joke and the women singing. I'm very, very glad they closed with it.
Especially because I was really bummed out by the choice of "Yorktown" for the regular performance. Although it's great that it showcases staging and ensemble, I think that number needs the buildup to be satisfying, because it's not lyrically nor musically as strong. And I don't think it does the nominees justice, either (at least we got a little of "History Has Its Eyes On You" for Chris Jackson, I guess). I think Lin was really tempted by "Immigrants: We get the job done," though admittedly it's a great and topical line. But it's not even in my top five of numbers to pick, and it's the one I skip the most on the soundtrack. (I gather I am alone on that.)
Having said THAT: Yay, and I will never be satisfied.
Yorktown
"WE WON WE WON WE WON WE WON."
Aaron Burr, Sir
You are the best, Burr.
Okieriete Onaodowan
HERCULES MULLIGAN. I think your pants look hot.
John Laurens
Laurens, I like you a lot.
It is a shame they couldn't just all get up and sing four solo bars, because Anthony Ramos's voice is beyond. Such pure tone.
Lin and Vanessa
And Vanessa's dress is really lovely and unique, too. ALSO, when he won and they fist-bumped, it was ridiculously cute.
Lin's speech, in which he got very emotional, is thus -- and, I think, is the best note on which to end this slideshow.
"My wife’s the reason
anything gets done
She nudges me towards promise by degrees
She is a perfect symphony of one
Our son is her most beautiful reprise
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they’re finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day
This show is proof that history remembers
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love lasts long
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside,
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music love and pride.