Micaela Diamond in Carolina Herrera
She didn't win for Parade, but she also DID, because it won overall for Best Revival -- and I've heard it's WONDERFUL, and heartbreaking, and it'll be lovely to see what she does next. This is a beautiful dress. Somehow the black bars are not disruptive for me.
Julianne Hough in Carolina Herrera
Julianne had hosted the pre-show with the same bangs but a different updo situation, and this one looks so much sloppier, which... I guess makes sense, if she was a hurry? But it's swallowing up her head. Between that and a few other choices, I do think she's drifting away from being someone I immediately recognize. It's a very nice dress, though. CH knows its way around a flower print.
Lea Michele in Emilia Wickstead
It feels right that Lea is wearing a dress that evokes the roses one might throw at a singer during her encore in Olden Times. Or, in Olden Skating Times (I will never forget you, Ice Castles). This is objectively gorgeous.
And she really worked it. I might have preferred it before I knew it had a dropped waist, but what can you do. She closed the show -- mostly; they left one award after her -- with "Don't Rain on My Parade," and got one part of the Tony moment she has always wanted. I have a theory that the OTHER moment will come in 10 years when they reimagine Funny Girl to be about an older Fanny and cast her AGAIN.
Lear deBessonet
Lear directed the "Into the Woods" revival. This is so charming! I wish it sat a little higher, but it's so bright and cheery and looks GREAT on this whole carpet/step-and-repeat situation.
Susan Hilferty
Susan is the costume designer for Parade; she lost to Some Like It Hot, but looked dapper as hell in this coat. She seems to like the flowery coat aesthetic and I cannot complain about this rut. It's perfect.
Justin Cooley
He is 19, and nominated for a Tony for his first major role, in Kimberly Akimbo (for Featured Actor). He lost to Alex Newell, and even though I think he and everyone else knew it was coming, it still takes chutzpah to swallow it and go out and perform your selection. He was adorable and I'm so happy for him -- and so annoyed that when the producer tried to get him to the mic after the show won, the Tonys director cut him off. BOO. Don't cut off a man wearing this incredible suit!
Rachel Brosnahan in Versace x Dua Lipa
This is a fun melange of things. It might veer twee, but the Tonys is always a big "love is love is love" night -- in fact, it's where Lin-Manuel Miranda said that -- and so I'm here for all those little shiny hearts.
Lily Rabe in Eredem, with Hamish Linklater
This dress would have been perfectly nice without the bib. But since it's there... why doesn't it come all the way down to the belt?
Lorna Courtney in Markarian
Lorna was nominated for her leading work in & Juliet, which seems fun, but her performance on the night was a little rocky. (Fortunately, Katy Perry's "Roar" is one of those bops that's very forgiving because it always gets your blood pumping.) She looks totally adorable, though. This is a SUPER dress on her.
Tim Hatley
He did the costumes for the Life of Pi play,and did not win, except in the sense that his wacky jacket is a delight.
Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman
I am not sure why Barry was at the Tonys, but I am not upset about it. After all, he is music and he writes the songs, so he knows of this art form.
Antwayn Hopper
I don't know why he's doing the Karate Kid, but I will definitely attend his picnic to find out.