The brilliance of the late, great August Wilson was recognized at the 64th annual Tony Awards in Radio City Music Hall this past Sunday, as “Fences” received the Best Revival of a Play Award–the Tony’s top dramatic honor!
This honor was bestowed on the show after the two lead actors, Viola Davis and Denzel Washington, respectively, won accolades as both received the Tony for Best Performance by a Lead Actress and Lead Actor in a Play. It was so exciting to watch as first Viola’s name was called and then Denzel’s.
When the show won, one of the producers, Carole Shorenstein, thanked everyone and exclaimed, “August Wilson–this is for you!!”
A visibly moved Davis shared, “I believe in the presence of God in my life. I was born in circumstances where I couldn’t see it with my eyes, touch it with my hands–so I had to believe it. It feels like a divine experience eight times a week.”
Washington said that he had been rewarded by having a brilliant cast. He then added, “I’m amazed, I’m surprised and I’m blessed.”
When Davis and Washington took the stage in front of the press in the media room, they continued to share how much being in Wilson’s play meant to them.
Viola Davis described doing an August Wilson play to “Death of a Salesman.” “Only because ‘Death of a Salesman’ was the first time a playwright created a tragic hero as an ordinary man. To watch Troy and watch the whole character evolve and to be a part of that every single night is really an amazing experience.
“When you’re traveling that journey, you really don’t know what to expect, and I think that’s part of the pleasure for the audience. It’s so fitting that as soon as he finished the 10th play of the cycle, which is what he intended, that he passed. It’s like that’s what he was anointed to do. There’s an anointing on this play.”
When a reporter asked the two leads about being singled out as the lead stars of the show, Washington was quick to explain, “We were never singled out as the two leads, the whole cast is one. Kenny Leon’s a great director. After every rehearsal and before the show, we always get together in a circle and we end the day together as a unit. There are no individuals. As Kenny says as well, August Wilson is music and it takes the whole band.”
To the late Wilson, Davis said, “Congratulations, well done.”
Denzel said, “What can you say, but ‘thank you’? August Wilson will live on and I hope that other young actors and writers are inspired.”
Kenny Leon, the play’s director; Constanza Romera, Wilson’s widow and the play’s costume designer; and William T, one of the cast members, also added their thoughts about the production and Washington and Davis’ performances.
“I’m excited and humbled. I couldn’t be more proud of Denzel and Viola and what they did on that stage. So it’s a big night, it’s a good night. August Wilson has done more for American theater than anyone I can think of. He deserves respect, it’s a big night for August–I wish he was here,” shared Leon.
“I think that just the culmination of all of these people’s talents and their appreciation and their love for August’s work made them do the very best that they could do for the production of ‘Fences.’ Everybody’s best work is up there. It is amazing. In fact, my daughter and I saw the show again yesterday afternoon and it’s as poignant now as it was when it opened a month ago. I was crying at the end thinking of how August would be sitting in the audience and he would be so proud of Denzel and Viola and the rest of the cast. They are just finding as many different notes and they are singing all his words. I just think he would be over the top.”
Michael T remarked, “We feel like the word ‘revival’ is really right for us because it’s like a revival, a revival of seven churches. And it’s so good for August. We feel like Broadway could always use a Wilson revival any season, and I know he would love this production. We celebrate August always, so it’s fitting that the Tonys should celebrate him too. I think August Wilson’s name should have been always in that upper echelon of names as it relates to stage plays, like Tennessee Williams. I think with great men like August Wilson and James Baldwin, the work is timeless.”
Sadly, “Fences” will only play at the Cort Theatre on West 48th Street through July 11, and there’s no chance of extension because some of the cast already have commitments.
“Fela!”–the original Broadway musical about the life and tragedies that befell Fela Kuti, the creator of the Afro beat–came away with Best Choreography for Bill T. Jones and Best Sound and Costume Design. Jones was thrilled by the award and said that for him, this musical is “very personal.”
“Fela’s story was important to bring to the stage because, is there any other man out there like that? A man who had a vision for people that was about life and death? He deserves every bit of the acknowledgement he gets. People can learn from him. I know I have,” said Jones.
Jones shared that Fela’s daughter has asked the company to do the show in Nigeria as part of the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. “Fela!” is playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on West 49th Street.
“Memphis” came away with Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Orchestration. Playing at the Shubert Theatre, it tells the story of a forbidden love between a white DJ and an up-and-coming Black singer in the ’50s, when these relationships were taboo.
The Tony Awards were filled with exciting performances from all the musicals currently playing and those that have closed but were nominated. Other winners at the 64th annual Tony Awards included: “Red” for Best Play, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. “American Idiot” won Best Scenic Design for a Musical, and Best Lighting Design for a Musical. “The Royal Family” won Best Costume Design for a Play.
“La Cage Aux Folles” won Best Direction of a Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. “A Little Night Music” won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, “A View from the Bridge” won Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, “Million Dollar Quartet” received Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, and “Promises, Promises” received Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.