In a vibrant celebration of theater, 28 Broadway shows received at least one Tony nomination this year, including notable productions such as “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “The Notebook,” “Appropriate,” and “Mary Jane.”

“The Outsiders,” a gritty and compelling adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic young adult novel, emerged as the centerpiece of the Tony Awards on Sunday night, clinching the coveted title of Best New Musical. This win was particularly significant as it underscored the advances made by women in the industry. Angelina Jolie, one of the producers of “The Outsiders,” achieved her first Tony Award with this triumph.

Set in 1960s Oklahoma, “The Outsiders” delves into the clashes between rival gangs from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Matthew Rego, one of the producers, expressed heartfelt gratitude to S.E. Hinton, who was present at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center. “Susie,” he said, addressing Hinton by her nickname, “your story and its timeless message of love, family, and staying gold have profoundly impacted all our lives.”

“Stereophonic,” a play that chronicles a tumultuous year in the life of a Fleetwood Mac-like band recording an album, secured the award for Best New Play and garnered a total of five awards, the highest for the evening. Penned by David Adjmi with music by former Arcade Fire member Will Butler, the play’s success was a testament to perseverance. Adjmi, visibly emotional, mentioned that the play took 11 years to come to fruition and emphasized the need for increased arts funding in America.

The evening was further electrified by appearances from high-profile guests like Jay-Z and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton, who is a producer for the musical “Suffs,” about suffragettes, took to the stage to present the show. “I have stood on many stages, but this one is very special,” she remarked, drawing on her own experiences with advocating for change.

Alicia Keys initiated the night’s musical presentations with a soulful performance at the piano as her semi-autobiographical musical “Hell’s Kitchen” delivered a medley of songs. Her performance included her iconic 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind” alongside Jay-Z, which received rapturous applause.

Newcomer Maleah Joi Moon won Best Leading Actress for her role in “Hell’s Kitchen,” surpassing seasoned actress Kelli O’Hara. Moon dedicated her award to her parents, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.

Danya Taymor followed in her aunt Julie Taymor’s footsteps by becoming the sixth woman to win a Tony Award for directing a musical with her work on “The Outsiders.” Shaina Taub made history as only the second woman ever on Broadway to write, compose, and star in a musical, winning Best Score for “Suffs.” Earlier in the evening, she had also won Best Book. Taub encouraged everyone inspired by “Suffs” to register and vote: “This win is for all the loud girls out there: Go for it.”

Jeremy Strong secured his first Tony Award for his role in the revival of Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 political play “An Enemy of the People,” adding to his collection of accolades that includes an Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe.

Kara Young made history as the first Black performer to be nominated for a Tony three consecutive years and won Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in “Purlie Victorious.” In her acceptance speech, she honored her ancestors and influential figures like playwright Ossie Davis and co-star Ruby Dee.

Daniel Radcliffe solidified his Broadway credentials by winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along,” marking his first Tony after five Broadway shows. Radcliffe called it one of the best experiences of his life and credited his parents for exposing him to Stephen Sondheim’s music.

“Merrily We Roll Along” was also named Best Musical Revival and earned Jonathan Groff his first Tony for Leading Actor in a Musical. Groff reminisced about watching the Tonys as a child in Pennsylvania and thanked his family for always supporting his passion for acting.

Veteran actress Kecia Lewis won her first Tony for her portrayal of a formidable piano teacher in “Hell’s Kitchen.” Reflecting on her 40-year career that began with “Dreamgirls,” she encouraged others not to give up on their dreams.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play “Appropriate,” centered on a family reunion in Arkansas, won Best Play Revival. Sarah Paulson added another Tony to her collection by winning Best Leading Actress in a Play for her role in “Appropriate,” expressing her gratitude for being able to explore the human condition through theater.

A special tribute was paid to three-time Tony honoree Chita Rivera by Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Bebe Neuwirth. Dancers performed to iconic numbers from Rivera’s illustrious career while images from her performances were projected.

Host Ariana DeBose, who also co-choreographed the opening number “This Party’s for You,” highlighted the sacrifices made by theater artists and gently reminded everyone that while film and TV might bring fame and wealth, theater makes one better.

The evening’s performances featured an intense rendition of “Willkommen” from the revival of “Cabaret” led by Eddie Redmayne, Pete Townshend playing guitar for “The Who’s Tommy,” and an evocative scene from “The Outsiders” complete with falling water and an onstage truck.

Looking ahead, Nicole Scherzinger is set to star in a revival of “Sunset Boulevard,” and she performed during the “In Memoriam” segment. Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren announced their roles in the upcoming 2025 production of “The Last Five Years.”

Scherzinger sang “What I Did for Love” as a tribute to departed luminaries including playwright Christopher Durang and actors Alan Arkin, Glenda Jackson, Louis Gossett Jr., and Treat Williams.

For more updates and information on the Tony Awards: https://apnews.com/hub/tony-awards