Safety Managers and COVID-19 Production Teams Celebrate the Opening of Broadway at the 2022 Tony Awards –

COVID safety managers, stage managers, actors and production teams who continued Broadway performances during the 2021-2022 season were among honorees at the 2022 Tony Awards, held Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall.

One of the biggest clues of the pandemic season during the ceremony, which began with theaters reopening in 2021 after more than a year of darkness, was Skylar Astin and Marsha Gay Harden’s award-winning performance at the construction site presentation. when Tony’s audience of COVID security managers roared with thunder.

“The entire community went back to Broadway to get nearly 7 million viewers in a shortened season,” Harden said. “The Broadway League highlights the crucial role played by COVID safety managers. One hundred and fifty are here tonight as Tony’s guests.

“They allow the audience to feel safe and continue to give everyone the opportunity to perform on stage and backstage,” added Astin.

Upon receiving invite me to go outSecond Stage Theater actress Carol Rothman, who won the best revival of the play, captured in her speech the battle that most Broadway plays faced throughout the season.

“It was a difficult time for the theater, for our artists and for New York. It takes a lot of courage and dedication from so many people to return to the theater, which is a place of joy. In the second stage, everyone is extremely proud of our production. invite me to go out s clydeHe said before thanking the researchers and the remarkable company that has been with us for over two years.

After that, actor Anthony Edwards, who took the stage in his wife’s musical Mar Winningham. a girl from the north To avoid canceling a performance related to COVID, also recognized by the volatile situation, the products remained active throughout the season.

“As every Broadway show has had to deal with Covid and acting changes, this show got into a situation where there were no more fluctuations or rehearsals, and at the last moment I was asked if I would cover the role. said Edward. “Terrible, really. But sharing a scene with these artists was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Several winners during the show, including Company Star Pete Lupon also acknowledged the time of the pandemic and those who made it possible for the shows to continue.

“I started this journey with Marian Elliott in 2018. Four years, two countries, a seemingly endless and extremely vulnerable lockdown, three different viruses three months in a row and two actors elevated,” Lupon said upon receiving her Best Actress win. . In a prominent role in the musical. “I couldn’t imagine a more sophisticated group of actors and comedians I work with every night. Thank you to the stage managers, the backstage crews… to all the multifaceted people in New York City, to all the COVID security people.”

Company Director Marian Elliott also recognized those who fought in a theater company for the survival of a live theater that, he said, looked dangerous but received his win for the best direction of the musical.

MJ Lighting designer Natasha Man celebrated the return of Broadway after a few years of isolation when making it. Best Musical Lighting Design for the First Hour of the Tony Awards action oneThat ran on Paramount+.

“Being isolated for the past few years is a gift to see a Broadway show and go to the theater again,” he told fans at Radio City Music Hall. “The audience’s love was absolutely absolute and I considered every moment of the work and every minute of seeing these other amazing artists.”

dana h Sound designer Michael Fixel won the Best Sound Design piece, a piece especially one of the first to close during the pandemic season as theaters struggled to attract local tourists and New Yorkers to return. Actress Filizia Rashad also supported the company and the team. skeleton gang How she received a win in the nomination for Best Actress in a Performance. Written by Dominic Morriso and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, two of seven historic black playwrights whose plays were featured in the last season on Broadway. skeleton gang It arrived and closed in the context of the toughest COVID wave of the season.

While the first full season took place after an 18-month industry shutdown, the COVID-19 pandemic took on a slightly lower profile during the Sunday night event compared to the year before. During the 2021 show, which honored performances that opened before the 2019 season ended, Broadway is back! Presenter Leslie Odom Jr. dedicated the entirety of his monologue to a song about protocols, while host Wayne Brady celebrated the 74th official annual show to protect guests through his COVID protocols.

There were also more embarrassing moments during last year’s show, including a moving tribute to In Memoriam directed by Bernadette Peters, honoring Broadway losers with COVID-19 and several winners like Heritage Tom KirdahProducer soldier game Directed by Kenny Leon and Moulin Rouge! Producer Carmen Pavlovich was among those who admitted personal losses and also closed several shows because of the pandemic.

On June 6, it was announced that participants at the 75th Annual Ceremony would not be required to wear masks, although some participants appeared to be masked during the ceremony. However, program participants were required to take a COVID-19 test. The test order was intended to support nominees and artists who currently have test requirements on their shows and are seated in the Radio City Music Hall orchestra, with producers, theater owners and famous guests.

Regardless of the tone, Broadway has begun to remove some of the pandemic protocols it imposed on audiences and performers after it reopened in September of last year. While vaccination is still a demand for artists, it is no longer for the public, where theaters require it on a case-by-case basis. Masks are still required for spectators until June 30th.