Book Adaptations Win Big at the Tony Awards

The Tony Awards for Excellence in Theatre took place on Sunday, June 7, and book adaptations swept the competition. 

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The international best-selling novel details the adventures of Christopher, a fifteen-year-old boy, and how he confronts his difficulties interpreting the world around him when investigating the murder of his neighbor’s dog. The novel was adapted into a play by Simon Stephens and won 5 out of 6 nominations.  

Wins:

Best play

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play– Alex Sharp

Best scenic design of a play– Bunny Christie and Finn Ross

Best lighting design of a play– Paule Constable

Best direction of a play– Marianne Elliott

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Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel 

Wolf Hall, a historical novel describing Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power in Henry VIII’s court, was named after the Seymour family seat in Wiltshire. The novel was adapted to play form by Hilary Mantel and Mike Poulton and took the Tony for 1 out of 8 nominations.

Win:

Best costume design of a play– Christopher Oram 

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The King and I (Anna and the King of Siam) by Margaret Landon

The King and I, originally known as Anna and the King of Siam, was published in 1944 and later adapted for film and musical. It is based on two memoirs about Anna Leonowens, a widow invited to Siam by the country’s king to teach English and British customs to his wives and children. It won 4 out of 9 nominations.

Wins:

Best revival of a musical

Best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical– Kelli O’Hara

Best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical- Ruthie Ann Miles

Best costume design of a musical– Catherine Zuber

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Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

The best-selling graphic memoir chronicles the author’s youth in Pennsylvania and how people come to understand themselves and who they are as part of a whole. It explores complex themes including sexual orientation and emotional abuse. The story was adapted into a musical by Lisa Kron and won 5 out of 12 nominations.

Wins:

Best musical

Best book of a musical– Lisa Kron

Best original score written for the theatre– Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical– Michael Cerveris

Best direction of a musical– Sam Gold