Canadian performers win big at the Tony Awards

Canadian theatre talent had a strong night at the 79th Tony Awards in New York on Sunday. Hamiltonborn Caissie Levy won best actress in a leading role in a musical for her performance as Mother in the revival of Ragtime, while Winnipegborn Joshua Henry won his first Tony for best leading actor in a musical for the same production. Levy thanked her parents and reflected on growing up in Canada and watching the Tonys while dreaming of Broadway. Henry and other winners helped make Ragtime one of the night’s standout titles, as the musical also won best musical revival. Lorne Michaels also picked up his first Tony as a producer for Schmigadoon!, which won best new musical. Other major awards went to Bess Wohl for Liberation and John Lithgow, who set a record as the oldest man to win a competitive acting Tony. The ceremony, hosted by Pink, featured performances and tributes throughout the evening.