Broadway’s biggest stars descended on Manhattan’s Lincoln Center on Sunday for the Tony Awards, an annual celebration of all the people – casts, crews and creatives – who make live theater the spectacle that it is. Since many attendees spend most of the week in costumes, the Tonys was also a chance to dress up and show off their personal style.
The red carpet — technically a shade of blue — was packed with A-listers, a reflection of the star-studded productions that have recently overtaken Broadway. Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Sarah Paulson, Billy Porter and Nicole Scherzinger were among the celebrities who graced this year’s awards show.
Purple was perhaps the color of the evening, with several attendees incorporating shades of it into their ensembles. Both men and women embraced bows, which appeared around the necks of some people and at the shoulders or waists of others. Of all the outfits, the following 17 stood out the most – for better or worse.
Elle Fanning: most femme fatale!
Instead of a shirt, the actress, a star of the play “Appropriate,” wore a silver chain under her sleek Saint Laurent tuxedo jacket.
Brooke Shields: Most Sunny and Wise!
The actress, who recently underwent foot surgery, wore a pair of cheerful yellow Crocs to match her Monique Lhuillier dress.
Ariana DeBose: Most mosaic!
Some might say that the Oscar de la Renta dress worn by the actress and Tony’s host – which features a stained glass motif like that of the dress worn by Lauren Sanchez to the Met Gala – “did the thing.”
Jeremy Strong: Most Lavish!
The actor, a star of “An Enemy of the People,” opted for a softer take on formal wear by pairing a Western-inspired ribbon tie with a velvety Loro Piana jacket in a dark shade of brown, a color he also has. known as a favorite.
Lance McAdams, Rachel McAdams and Sandra McAdams: the most McAdams family!
The “Mary Jane” actress arrived at the Tonys in the arms of her parents, whose outfits complimented the palette of Ms. McAdams’ silver-and-black Givenchy dress.
Cynthia Erivo: Most Glinda!
Although Ms. Erivo will star as the witch Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of “BadHer shimmering gold Louis Vuitton dress evoked the sparkling style of Glinda, Elphaba’s rival-turned-girlfriend.
Vivienne Jolie and Angelina Jolie: Most Nepo Black Tie!
The daughter and mother, who were both part of the production team of ‘The Outsiders’, lay in stylish harmony on the carpet. Mrs. Jolie opted for a velvet Atelier Versace dress in a teal shade that contrasted well with her daughter’s darker menswear-inspired ensemble.
Eddie Redmayne: Most Marlene Dietrich!
As star of the revival of “Cabaret,” the actor helped bring a dose of 1930s Berlin to Broadway. At the Tonys, his Simone Rocha suit with cape-like jacket evoked the attire of another German export: the actress Marlene Dietrich.
Ashley Park: Most Dramatic!
The show-stealing nature of the actress’ figure-hugging Harris Reed gown was further enhanced by a pair of opera gloves that seemed appropriate for the theatrical occasion.
Daniel Radcliffe: Most grimace!
Traces of the McDonald’s mascot – whose purple face has recently inspired milkshakes and shoes – could be spotted in the eggplant-colored Todd Snyder tuxedo worn by Mr. Radcliffe, a star of ‘Merrily We Roll Along’.
Lena Waithe: Most sublime!
The effortless cool with which the actress wore her Louis Vuitton double-breasted suit with subtle patterns made the outfit even more striking.
Bebe Neuwirth: Most Rock Star!
The actress, a star of ‘Cabaret’, was hardly the only one who walked the carpet in sunglasses. But her casual combination of oversized sunglasses with a flowing dress and red platform heels gave her a certain rock star quality.
Nikiya Mathis: Most blooming!
Ms. Mathis, the hair and wig designer for the play “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” wore an hourglass-shaped mini dress by designer Angel Ayala with several intricate details, including a flowing cape with flower-like embellishments that was lined on the inside with red and green printing textile.
Will Butler: Most Mick Fleetwood!
In a dark Tanner Fletcher suit with a ruffled bow tie, Mr. Butler, the songwriter of the play ‘Stereophonic’, Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood, whose band inspired the show.
Anthony Rotunno and Madison Malone Kircher contributed reporting.