Ariana Deboz highlights Broadway participation and diversity in opening monologue –

Oscar winner Ariana Deboz kicked off the 75th Tone Awards with rousing interpretations of classic tone-winning musical tunes like Cabaret, Company, Perry’s Ghost s ,მა, Inspired by Michael Jackson, the 10-time nominated theme song MJ

“Let’s just say it was a draw for many of you,” Deboz said in his opening monologue about the past two years, noting that he was holding the first full-scale awards ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic. started. “I am very proud that theater reflects more of the society that adores it and thus acquired new actors, new creatives, new admirers. He showed us stories that expanded our world and opened our hearts and minds. And while we haven’t solved all of our problems, I feel that the phrase “The Great White Road” is more of a nickname than the textbook opposite.

Of a variety of Broadway scenes last season, Deboz noted that seven plays were written by black playwrights. The presenter mentioned Lynn Notage as a nominated duo to write both works. clyde And a book for that. MJ – The first playwright to earn nominations in both categories in one year. he also cried weird loopMorgan Lee, the first transgender to be nominated for a Tony also Six Composer Toby Marlowe, the first non-binary winner in Tony’s history.

“My friends, these are steps towards inclusion,” said Deboz.