Once the underdog challenger, Kinky Boots dominated the night, winning for Best Musical and putting that stuck-up little British import, Matilda, in her place. A shameful bit of Broadway chauvinism, to be sure, but in retrospect, the stars were aligned for Kinky Boots: a splashy American show (after last season’s downbeat Irish Tony winner, Once), with a feel-good vibe, campy drag queens and a score by a pop star, Cyndi Lauper, due for a comeback. Were the Tony producers clued in from the outset? The excerpt from Matilda was first out of the gate, while Kinky got the final showcase spot.
Best and Worst Moments of the 2013 Tony Awards
A critic's pick of the highlights and lowlights from Sunday night's star-studded celebration of theater
Most Predictable Upset: Kinky Boots Kicks Ass
Full List
The Highs and Lows
- Most Surprising Upset: Tom Hanks Gets Passed Over
- Most Predictable Upset: Kinky Boots Kicks Ass
- Sweetest Consolation Prizes: Matilda’s Four Tonys
- Best Acceptance Speech: Cicely Tyson’s Moving Monologue
- Most Excessive Display of Love: Pippin‘s Plethora of Trophies
- Best Repeat Performance: Host Neil Patrick Harris
- Most Superfluous Co-Hosts: Every Broadway Musical Teaser