You saw the Tony Awards but only BroadwayBox can bring you inside five of the Tony Awards' biggest, most exciting parties: Waitress, School of Rock, The Color Purple, Hamilton, and the DKC/O&M after-after party #BashAtBaccarat, complete with an Andrew Lloyd Webber disco.
11:45 PM Editor Josh Ferri and photographer Jenny Anderson arrive at Howl at the Moon for the School of Rock party, and the kids are all up on stage singing. First up adorable duo Isabella Russo & Luca Padovan (who play Summer and Billy) are singing Stevie Nicks "Rhiannon" much to the delight of onlookers Andrew Lloyd Webber and his Norma, Glenn Glose. Then Taylor Caldwell gets on stage with the young SOR band, and they blow the roof off of Howl with "Sweet Child o' Mine". It was wild.
“The coolest part of tonight was being there at the Tonys. I watch the Tonys every year, and it was just amazing being there and being on TV." Luca Padovan
“Meeting Stevie Nicks was incredible. I didn’t listen to much rock music before this but the more and more I listen to her, I love it.” Isabella Russo
“The highlight of my night was being able to represent a show we all built from the ground up in such a successful and wild way.” Tony nominee Alex Brightman
“The most ridiculous thing we know as Alex’s friends is a giant list.” Drew Gasparini
“However rough you imagine the situation under that T-shirt to be, it’s at least 12-13 times worse.” Andrew Kober
“Easily.” Drew
“There’s an actual fog that accompanies the moistness. Imagine Shrek’s swamp spread over an entire man’s torso” Andrew.
12:30 AM We peace out of the rockin' SOR party and head over to the Time Hotel just in time to enter the Waitress party with composer/lyricist Sara Bareilles. This party is all about the dancing. The DJ has everyone on the floor dancing, the drinks are flowing, and everyone is having a great time.
“You know when a party is off the hook when you’re jamming to ‘80s hits.” Jessica Rush.
“It was amazing to reunite [with the Spring Awakening cast] and so weird because a lot of them live in LA. It was fucking crazy.” Sean Grandillo
“What didn’t I love about performing with Jessie tonight? It felt like a very sincere exchange and sharing of a moment. Getting to pass the baton metaphorically, and letting her sing this song was beautiful for me. I felt grateful to be a part of it.” Tony nominee Sara Bareilles
“The most important thing in my clutch tonight…is a tampon.” Keala Settle
“A great party needs soft music." Kimiko Glenn.
"I would say great people. I love when you lose track of time getting drinks, chatting, and laughing.” Sean Grandillo.
1:00 AM Time to cab it over to Hudson Terrace where Tony-winning Best Revival The Color Purple is celebrating full-out. Minutes after we arrive, the musical's Tony-winning star Cynthia Erivo enters, dancing with her Tony Award, breaking it down like only Cynthia can—needless to say, the party loses its collective mind! You can feel the joy in the room. It is palpable.
“It was Crazy. As. Hell [when the Tony audience gave a standing ovation after ‘I’m Here’]. I didn’t even know that was even possible. It was nuts, and I’m really glad.” Tony winner Cynthia Erivo.
“Good music and good vibes make an awesome party.” Tony nominee Danielle Brooks
“The girls were amazing tonight. They were phenomenal. It’s just so great to be able to be there to support them. We are so happy to be there. It was exhilarating. We’ve had people who have been in 10 Broadway shows but tonight was their first Tony win.” Kyle Scatliffe
“My phone is the most important thing I have with me tonight because everyone is so excited and rooting us on and sending us love. I joined Snapchat today, so it's there, Instagram, Facebook, text—everyone wants to contact and show love and I love that about tonight.” Patrice Covington
1:40 AM Time to head over to the Baccarat Hotel, the new home of Rick Miramontez's exclusive and iconic DKC/O&M bash, and boy does this party not disappoint. It's old Hollywood meets today's Broadway. The stunning venue is packed with Tony winners, Tony nominees, and Broadway luminaries. DJ Andrew Andrew are spinning disco hits and showtune remixes in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Disco while stars from The Humans, Shuffle Along, Bright Star and The Crucible let loose.
“I’d tell tonight’s Tony winners to let it use you to fuel your future.” Billy Porter
“A dress is right when you love it on the hanger but then you put it on and you feel beautiful in it. You never really know until you try a dress on. I love dressing up, and this dress makes me feel like a princess. It’s a little ode back to Cinderella.” Laura Osnes
“I’d tell first time Tony winners to soak it up. Stay out as late as possible. This is the first time and there’s only one time it’s the first time—your Tony virginity is gone, so live it up and stay out as late as you possibly, possibly can muster.” Lena Hall
“This season, I love the diversity of what every writer, director, choreographer and producer has to offer. It’s a complete unit of diversity and I appreciate it.” Tony nominee Savion Glover
“What makes a great party is really heavy glassware. When it’s weighty in your hand, that’s what makes a good party.” —Emily Padgett.
Seconds later Jeff Blumenkrantz breaks his glass but finishes it anyway.
3:30 AM We decide to head over to Tavern on the Green to see how the Hamilton gang is celebrating their big night. Just as we walk up, Tony winners Leslie Odom Jr., Renee Elise Goldsberry, Alex Lacamoire, and Tony nominee Christopher Jackson are all heading out, so we have a little impromptu photo shoot.
"I've gone the whole night without taking any photos kissing the Tony." Tony winner Leslie Odom, Jr.
4:00 AM Back to the Baccarat to close out the night in style.
“My favorite part of tonight was hosting the red carpet and getting to encourage every single one of the nominees. That was my favorite ever thing ever. It felt like Christmas.” Laura Michelle Kelly.
“I think the biggest difference between Broadway parties and West End parties is that Broadway parties go on longer, there are more of them so you flit from one to the other to the other, and they are very lavish.” Elaine Paige.
