2011 Tony Awards Deliver High Theatrics

By Michael Lopez

Anyone tuning in to last night's Tony Awards knew they were in for a high-energy show. Honoring Broadway's hottest musicals, the event always brings out intricate dance numbers, over-the-top glitz, and unpredictable comedy from the theatre world's greatest entertainers. And this year's event delivered the goods exactly as promised.

Neil Patrick Harris earned major praise for his high-powered hosting skills. The How I Met Your Mother star kicked off the night with a wild dance number that declared the event as "not just for gays anymore." He also partook in a very memorable singalong with former Tonys MC Hugh Jackman.

Comedian Chris Rock also got quite a bit of laughs when he presented the award for Best Musical. Joking about missing the NBA Finals game, he said to the crowd,

"If you had told me two years ago I'd miss the best basketball game ever to hang out with Nathan Lane, I would have said that you're crazy. But that's what happened. I remember my first musical like it was yesterday, because it was yesterday."

The Best Musical Award happened to be handed out to a Latino. Composer Robert Lopez won the night’s top honors (along with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone) for the comedy The Book Of Mormon. A huge winner last night, Mormon also took home honors for orchestration, lighting design, sound design, and scenic design.

Lopez is no stranger to the Tonys, he had previously won an award for his work on the musical Avenue Q. And proving he’s not just limited to the theatre world, Robert’s songs will soon be hitting the big screen in Disney’s newest adaptation of Winnie the Pooh.

Other big winners of the night included Ellen Barkin, who took home Best Actress for The Normal Heart, and John Larroquette, who won Best Actor for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. But interestingly, it was the presenters who grabbed the most attention.

Brooke Shields created quite a bit of chisme when she dropped the "f-bomb" on stage and Tr3s fave John Leguizamo had the crowd roaring with some rapid-fire jokes from the podium. Add to that strong dance numbers from the plays Catch Me If You Can and How To Succeed… and you've got yourself one heck of an entertaining night. Let's see the stuffy Academy Awards try to top that!

Did you watch last night’s Tony Awards? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Book Of Mormon, Broadway, Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman, John Leguizamo, Neil Patrick Harris, Robert Lopez, Theatre, Tony Awards