“The Outsiders,” a gritty adaptation of the classic young adult novel, took home the prestigious Tony Award for best new musical on Sunday, marking a significant moment for women in the industry.
This musical, based on S. E. Hinton’s beloved book, delves into the world of rival gangs in 1960s Oklahoma. The victory also resulted in Angelina Jolie, one of the producers, winning her first Tony Award.
During his acceptance speech, producer Matthew Rego expressed gratitude to Hinton, who was present at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center, acknowledging the impact of her timeless story on the cast and crew.
Another highlight of the night was the play “Stereophonic,” which revolves around a band similar to Fleetwood Mac recording an album during a tumultuous year. The play secured the award for best new play and garnered a total of five awards. It was penned by David Adjmi with music by former Arcade Fire member Will Butler.
Special guests Jay-Z and Hillary Rodham Clinton captivated the audience. Clinton, a producer of a musical about suffragettes, introduced “Suffs.”
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Alicia Keys graced the stage in the first musical presentation with a medley from her semi-autobiographical musical, “Hell’s Kitchen.” She also joined Jay-Z for a rousing rendition of their hit “Empire State of Mind.”
