The Tony Awards’ Gay Extravaganza! And ‘Billy Elliot’ SheWired

The 63rd Annual Tony Awards hosted by Neil Patrick Harris were held Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall, New York City with Billy Elliot snatching 10 Awards and making Tony history, according to Advocate.

Broadway took “let’s put on a show” to a whole new level opening the award show with a smashing musical number starring Dolly Parton, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, metal band Poison and the casts of West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Pal Joey, Shrek, 9 to 5: The Musical, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages and Billy Elliot. Although Poison lead singer Bret Michaels hit his head at the end of his band’s performance in the opening number, he reportedly suffered no major injuries.

The 2008-2009 theater season was marked with an amazing 45 shows opening on Broadway — the highest number of productions in 25 years.

British musical Billy Elliot, led the show winning an impressive total of 10 Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Director and Leading Actor in a Musical — an award bestowed upon the teenage trio – David Alvarez, 15, Trent Kowalik, 14 and Kiril Kulish, 15. However, its composer, Elton John, did not win in his category.

The threesome each received Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical for their shared role setting a milestone in the history of the Tonys as the first time three actors were nominated for one role.
They also set another record as the youngest winners of a lead acting honor at the Tony Awards.

“And we want to say to all the kids out there who might want to dance, never give up,” said Kulish during their acceptance speech.

Meanwhile Angela Lansbury received her 5th Tony for Blithe Spirit and Liza Minnelli won for Liza’s at The Palace. Marcia Gay Harden took Best Actress honors for God of Carnage and Geoffrey Rush took Best Actor honors in Exit the King. See The Tony Awards’ Gay Extravaganza! And ‘Billy Elliot’

SheWired

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‘Milk’ named best film by New York Film Critics

Sean Penn and “Milk,” (LEFT),Gus Van Sant’s biopic about gay rights leader Harvey Milk, continued to gain awards momentum Wednesday, winning best film from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Penn was chosen as best actor for his performance in the lauded film about Milk, the openly gay San Francisco politician who was assassinated in 1978. Josh Brolin won best supporting actor for his performance in the film.

On Tuesday, Penn was chosen as best actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. “Milk” also leads the Broadcast Film Critics Association with eight nominations, tied for the most with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Like their West Coast brethren, the New York critics picked Sally Hawkins for best actress for her performance in Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky.” Best director went to Leigh.

See ’Milk’ named best film by New York Film Critics