NYFA Alum Ilda Mason Joins Opening Number at Memorable 77th Tony Awards

June 20, 2024

Every year, The Tony Awards recognizes excellence in musical theatre and theatre. This year’s 77th Tony Awards was no exception, awarding brave and powerful narrative storytelling. The 2023-2024 season was impressive for the Broadway and off-Broadway world, with everything from the Alicia Keys autobiographical musical Hell’s Kitchen to the 1970s-inspired sensation Stereophonic sweeping the nominations. At this year’s ceremony, NYFA Musical Theatre alum Ilda Mason joined three-time host Ariana DeBose in the opening performance. 

“Thank you for inviting me to dance with you @arianadebose @julius_anthony and CONGRATULATIONS on choreographing the opening number (and for so much more!),” Mason wrote in an Instagram post. “There is SO much heart and joy and taking opportunity with both hands that it is BEYOND inspiring!”

Mason’s recent credits include the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Evita at the Sidney Harman Theatre in Washington, DC.

77th Tony Awards Recap

With so many exceptional performances and shows to choose from, here are some of the plays that earned Tonys this year, and what theatre-goers can expect to see in 2024 and 2025. 

Hell’s Kitchen

The musical Hell’s Kitchen was nominated for thirteen Tony awards, including Best Direction of a Musical, Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, and many more. The coming-of-age mother and daughter story takes place in New York City and is inspired by creator Alicia Keys, the 16-time Grammy Award winner, and her childhood there. Directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, the musical is based on the book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz. The musical also features the music of Alicia Keys. The cast includes Shoshana Bean, Kecia Lewis, Chris Lee, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Maleah Joi Moon. 

77th Tony Awards Maleah Joi Moon
Hell’s Kitchen’ Star Maleah Joi Moon Has Found The Light – Image via EBONY

At the 77th Tony Awards, Kecia Lewis-Evans, who played Miss Liza Jane, won the Tony for Featured Actress – Musical, and Maleah Joi Moon, who played Ali, based on Keys, won Lead Actress – Musical. The musical is set to run through May 2025 at the historic Shubert Theatre.

Suffs

Suffs, which takes place in 1913, is short for “suffragists” and follows the women’s movement regarding the right to vote (the Nineteenth Amendment). Nominated for six Tonys, the show was applauded for showcasing the struggle for equality. It was written by Obie Award-winning songwriter/performer Shaina Taub, who was also the Artist-in-Residence at the Public Theater, where Suffs premiered. Taub won the Tony for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, as well as the Tony for Best Book of a Musical. Tickets are currently being sold through January 2025, with performances located at the Music Box Theatre.

Stereophonic

Stereophonic tells the story of a music studio in 1976 where an up-and-coming rock band suddenly strikes it big. Will the expectations cause the band to implode or catapult them to superstardom? The show was written by David Adjmi and directed by Daniel Aukin, with original music by Will Butler (Arcade Fire). The show was nominated for thirteen Tony’s, including Best Play, three separate nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, and two nominations for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play.

77th Tony Awards
Stereophonic’ Review: Broadway Play is Solid Theatrical Gold – Image via Variety

Ultimately, Daniel Aukin won the Tony for Best Direction of a Play, Will Brill won for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play, and Stereophonic earned the achievement of Best Play, over Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Mary Jane, Mother Play, and Prayer for the French Republic. Located at the Golden Theatre, the show is set to run through early January 2025.

Merrily We Roll Along

Broadway play Merrily We Roll Along explores the relationship between friends playwright Charley Kringas, composer Franklin Shepard, and writer Mary Flynn, played by Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. The show is in its final weeks but will be remembered for featuring one of Sondheim’s scores. Nominated for seven Tonys, the show snagged three awards, including Merrily We Roll Along for Revival – Musical, Daniel Radcliffe for Featured Actor – Musical, and Jonathan Groff for Lead Actor – Musical. While the show is set to conclude in summer 2024, it’s had a long and successful run at Hudson Theatre.

Additional Tony Highlights

In addition to the big wins for Hell’s Kitchen, Suffs, Stereophonic, and Merrily We Roll Along, there were many other Tony achievements this year. Jeremy Strong of the hit series Succession, who starred in An Enemy of the People won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play. Sarah Paulson, known for her roles in American Horror Story and American Crime Story, won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for Appropriate. The play also won for Best Revival of a Play. The Outsiders nabbed awards for Best Musical and  Best Direction of a Musical (Danya Taymor).

77th Tony Awards
Kara Young Wins First Tony Award on Third Consecutive Nomination – Image via TheaterMania.com

Kara Young was recognized for her role in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, winning Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, and Justin Peck won Best Choreography for Illinoise. 

Must-See Musicals and Plays in NYC in 2024, 2025

There are a number of incredible shows lined up for the rest of 2024 and into 2025, from new debuts to movie to musical adaptations to must-see shows to catch before they conclude. The Office: A Musical Parody, which has featured NYFA alum Jennifer Molson as Angela (and others), and alum Isa Gaya as the swing, runs through November 2024.

The Notebook, based on the film and adapted from the iconic Nicholas Sparks novel, will run through the end of November, and following a successful run in London, Tammy Faye will debut in late October 2024. Starting in late October 2024 is Death Becomes Her The Musical, based on the popular film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. Mystic Pizza, another film adapted to the stage, will run through February 2025, and West Side Story concludes its run in July 2024. Fun fact — Ilda Mason was in the NYFA Guest Speaker Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story as well!

77th Tony Awards
How to Make a Musical of “Death Becomes Her” – Image via Newcity Stage

Theater enthusiasts can also look forward to seeing a stage adaptation of the smash hit Crazy Rich Asians, as well as The Little Mermaid and Betty Boop The Musical – all coming to New York’s theatre scene soon!

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Cover image via Broadway World