Springsteen, Potter take Broadway bows
Harry Potter and Bruce Springsteen may be the biggest lures at today’s 72nd Tony Awards.
But the hosts, too, will bring viewers to Broadway’s biggest night. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles will guide the threehour telecast, at 8 p.m. on CBS, from Radio City Music Hall.
He was a nominee last year for “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.” She was a nominee in 2016 for the score of “Waitress.” They know the Broadway routine, and the Tony performers usually shine because they’re delivering the material eight times a week.
The Tonys celebrate the justconcluded Broadway season, which set a record $1.7 billion in ticket sales. “Springsteen on Broadway” helped reach the goal, and The Boss will collect a special Tony and, even better, perform.
The two-part “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” received 10 nominations overall. Lavish and lucrative, it is the heavy favorite for best play.
The biggest prize is best musical, and the winner can become a New York staple for years. “Hamilton,” the winner two years ago, was last season’s top grosser, and “Dear Evan Hansen,” last year’s victor, has flourished.
The four best musical nominees will be showcased. “Mean Girls” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” lead the field with 12 nominations apiece. The likely winner is “The Band’s Visit,” which earned 11 nominations and the best reviews. This wonderful show needs the promotional lift that the Tonys provide in reaching a national audience.
The fourth nominee, Disney’s “Frozen,” has three nominations and will keep gliding without Tony victories.
Viewers will hear songs from the three nominees for best musical revival: “Carousel,” “My Fair Lady” and “Once on This Island.”
Among the nominees are Denzel Washington, Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf, Lauren Ambrose, Diana Rigg, Amy Schumer, Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Tony Shalhoub and Tina Fey.
The presenters include Robert De Niro, Billy Joel, Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Christine Baranski, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Leslie Odom Jr., Patti LuPone and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Today, 8 p.m. Today, 9 p.m. Thursday, 10 p.m.