The Best Things We Read In 2016

This year has had its ups and downs, the downs being more recent in our memories, but there were also a multitude of excellent stories told this year. We've read a number of articles, books, magazines, etc. this year and have compiled a list of some of the best this year had to offer. There were stories that took us to a galaxy far, far away and stories that hit close to home and helped us connect with ourselves and the ever-changing world around us. 

What I Know

ROSANNA TASKER - Lenny Letter

In March, New York Times best-selling author Jessica Knoll shared the story of the real rape informing her debut novel Luckiest Girl Alive (which is also one of the best thing's I've read this year).  Her essay is real, powerful, and necessary. I don't think a line of text has ever resonated with me more than the final line of her piece: "I'm not fine. It's not fine. But it's finally the truth, it's what I know, and that's a start." 

Star Wars: Ahsoka

Star Wars: Ahsoka is one of the newest  Star Wars texts this year and is the first book in the canon to feature the former Jedi apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. The story, written by E.K. Johnston, focuses on Ahsoka's time after the fall of the Republic.  For any fan of Star Wars Rebels or Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this book shares the story of how our favorite padawan became Fulcrum, the informant for the Resistance. 

Scrappy Little Nobody  

Anna Kendrick's collection of essays, Scrappy Little Nobody, was released in November of this year. It is a hilarious and charming account of her time in the business so far. She has written this book in the same authentic and candid voice that can be found on her Twitter. It was a joy to read! 

The Princess Diarist 

The final memoir written by the late Carrie Fisher is by far one of my favorites from 2016.  The entire text focuses on Carrie's reflections on and personal diaries surrounding her time filming the original Star Wars film, now known as A New Hope. She also speaks about bringing her iconic role back to the big screen in The Force Awakens.  Ms. Fisher, in her outstanding way, maintains her usual frank, witty humor throughout the text.  Many times, I found myself hearing her voice in my mind telling the story (Of course, you can actually hear her tell the story through the audiobook). - Sarah

Marcia Clark is Redeemed

via: NY Mag

The People v. O.J. Simpson was one of the biggest television events of the season and has garnered high critical praise and industry awards for best television mini-series and its leading actors.  The major appeal of the show was the sensational nature of O.J. Simpson's trial and one of the best performances of the television season was Sarah Paulson's portrayal of Marcia Clark.  I loved reading Rebecca Traister's piece detailing how the show has helped the "90's bogeywoman... become a feminist icon."

2017 Golden Globe Nominations

The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will be held and simulcast live on NBC on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. EST produced by Dick Clark Productions. Nominations were announced by Don Cheadle, Laura Dern and Anna Kendrick this morning live from The Beverly Hilton hotel.   

La La Land leads film nominees with seven nominations, followed by Moonlight which received six. The People v. O.J. Simpson tops TV nominations with five. Meryl Streep will be honored this year with the Cecil B, DeMille Award. 

And the nominees are:

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or Highwater
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Best Motion Picture, Comedy 
20th Century Women
Deadpool
Florence Foster Jenkins
La La Land
Sing Street

Best Director – Motion Picture
Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Amy Adams, Arrival
Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy 
Annette Bening, 20th Century Women
Lily Collins, Rules Don't Apply
Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen
Emma Stone, La La Land

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Joel Edgerton, Loving
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Colin Farrell, The Lobster
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Jonah Hill, War Dogs
Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Simon Helberg, Florence Foster Jenkins
Dev Patel, Lion
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Best Animated Feature Film
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
Sing
Zootopia

Best TV Series, Drama

The Crown
Game of Thrones
Stranger Things
This is Us
Westworld

Best TV Series, Comedy
Atlanta
Black-ish
Mozart in the Jungle
Transparent
Veep

Best TV Movie or Limited-Series
American Crime
The Dresser
Night Manager
The Night of
The People v. O.J. Simpson

Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Billy Bob Thorton, Goliath

Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Nick Nolte, Graves
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Claire Foy, The Crown
Keri Russell, The Americans
Winona Ryder, Stranger Things
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Sarah Jessica Parker, Divorce
Issa Rae, Insecure
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited-Series, or TV Movie
Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Regina King, American Crime
Judith Light, Transparent
Maura Tierney, The Affair

Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex Girlfriend
Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens
Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Lilly Tomlin, Grace & Frankie

Best Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie
Riz Ahmed, The Night of
Bryan Cranston, All the Way
Tom Hiddelston, The Night Manager
John Turturro, The Night of
Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson

Best Actress in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Riley Keough, The Girlfriend Experience
Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson
Charlotte Rampling, London Spy
Kerry Washington, Confirmation

See a full list of nominees here. 

Tune in to the ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC. 

68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

The 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, took place on Sunday Night September 18th.  The awards were presented during an ABC live telecast from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Kimmel's opening this year was an awesome combination of many of the nominees including People v. OJ, James Corden, and also somehow featured Jeb Bush as Veep's Selena Meyer's driver.  His monologue didn't disappoint either; it's your fault Mark Burnett and have fun at your ceramics class Dame Maggie Smith.

Gif credit: Giphy/Emmys

One of the best moments of the night included the kids from Stranger Things passing out PB&J sandwiches made by Jimmy Kimmel's mom. And of course there were a lot of political jokes.

VEEP won Outstanding Comedy Series and Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Lead Actress in a Comedy for her role in the series, her fifth win for the role.  Louie Anderson won Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role in Baskets.  Jeffrey Tambor won Lead Actor in a Comedy for his role in Transparent, Jill Soloway also won the Emmy for Directing for the series.  Kate McKinnon won Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role in SNL.

People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story swept the Limited Series categories winning Emmys for Writing, Supporting Actor, Lead Actress, Lead Actor, and Outstanding Series.  Supporting Actress in a limited series went to Regina King for American Crime, for the second consecutive year. Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series went to Susanne Bier for The Night Manager.

Game of Thrones won awards for Directing and Writing in a Drama Series, and Oustanding Drama Series. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama went to Ben Mendelsohn for his role in Bloodline and Maggie Smith won Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role in Downton Abbey. Rami Malek won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a  Drama for his role in Mr. Robot and Tatiana Maslany won the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama for her role in Orphan Black.


Full Winners List
Creative Arts Emmys Full Winners List

Fashion

Tina Fey glowed in an emerald Oscar da la Renta gown.  

UnReal's Shiri Appleby looked stunning in an electric blue sequin dress by DVF. 

Sarah Paulson dazzled in a green Parada gown AND bonus points for brining Marcia Clark as her date.

Kristen Bell looked lovely and elegant in Zuhair Murad.














Of course, there were many more stunning looks on this year's red carpet! To see all of those looks check out the Red Carpet gallery here.

Guest Post: The Top 10 Award-Winning Films on Netflix

There’s something satisfying about awards, even if you aren’t the one winning them. At the very least, they can indicate what movies are worth seeing! My thanks to entertainmenthappenings.com for featuring this post; if you’re into the Tony Awards, they’ve got a great list of who won for 2016.

As you're no doubt aware, Netflix has a ton of movies. But quantity doesn't necessarily mean quality. A huge selection of bad movies would be little more than basic cable. Thankfully that isn't the case; Netflix hosts a large variety of award-winning films, both old and new.

Before we delve into our list, a word of caution about Netflix: its library varies based on where viewers are physically located presently. If you're interested in these movies but live outside the country where these movies are offered, you'll need a service known as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), as described in this how-to article by Secure Thoughts.

Forrest Gump (1994)

“Forrest Gump” rightly deserves to be on this list, as it is both a fantastic film and has a very impressive list of awards to go along with it. The film itself follows the entire life of Forrest Gump, a man with a learning disability that lives through the very real challenges of the 20^th century, emerging triumphantly but not without his share of wounds.

Robert Zemeckis (known for films such as “Back to the Future” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”) was awarded Best Director for his excellent work throughout the movie, and Tom Hanks (an actor of many, many awards including four Golden Globes and two Oscars, this included) was given Best Actor for his incredible performance of a mentally handicapped character.

The fantastic filming, amazing sets (Vietnam was very convincing) and awesome writing also awarded the film with Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing and Best Writing Adapted Screenplay for a total of six awards!

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

For a great mix of humor and Nazi destroying action, we have “Inglourious Basterds.” Being a Tarantino film, it was bound to win some award, but it wasn't Brad Pitt who came out ahead.

Instead, “Inglourious Basterds” received the Best Supporting Actor award (from several different groups) for Christoph Waltz’s performance as Hanz Landa, a German SS officer. This was Christoph’s first reward, but certainly not his last. He plays a superb German villain.

The English Patient (1996)

If ever a film has managed to clean house, “The English Patient” is it. Set in the World War II era, the film is an inspiring romantic drama that takes us through the tragic memories of a burn patient (later revealed to be named Almásy) in an Italian monastery. The film’s powerful telling drew an impressive nine Academy Awards.

Best Picture went to Saul Zaentz, bringing him to three following his wins for ”One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Amadeus.” Though several performers were nominated, only Juliette Binoche managed to take home an acting award, which she received for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, after commenting about how unexpected her win was over “The Mirror Has Two Faces.”

With its incredible soundtrack and effects, "The English Patient” brought in the award for Best Original Score for Gabriel Yared (no songs, just music) and Best Sound Mixing for the team of Walter Murch, Mark Berger, David Parker and Christopher Newman. Walter Murch also pulled off a second award for Best Film Editing, giving him awards in two areas he is extraordinarily well respected for (the guy also did extensive work on the “Godfather Trilogy” and “Ghost”).

On the visual end, several winners were named; Best Costume Design went to Ann Roth for the realistic period outfits, Best Film Editing went to Walter Murch and Best Art Direction to the team of Stuart Craig and Stephanie McMillan. Best Cinematography was awarded to John Seale for his spot on camera direction.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Although the tale of Romeo and Juliet has been done to death from grade school to Hollywood, “Shakespeare in Love” still manages to portray things in a unique and interesting way by painting things (albeit with major historical liberties) from Shakespeare’s perspective as he writes the play.

Its reception went over quite well, as it was awarded Best Picture and a slew of other awards. Both Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench were awarded for their acting with (respectively) Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for their roles as Viola de Lesseps (Shakespeare’s love interest) and Elizabeth I of England.

Accompanying these greater actors’ characters are awards for Best Costume Design (Sandy Powell; check out Elizabeth’s costume in the link above) and Best Art Direction (Martin Childs for Art and Jill Quertier for Set Decoration). Stephen Warbeck won the award for Best Original Music or Comedy Score, which you can find here.

As the film was an original screenplay, it also won Best Original Screenplay, given to Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, the latter who has written dozens of plays and won awards for them.

Tarzan (1999)

Disney isn’t necessarily known for its originality, but their depictions of popular myths and fairy tales often eclipse the originals, as was nearly the case in “Tarzan.” In this depiction, Tarzan must save the gorillas from the diabolical Clayton.

While the film didn’t net quite as many accolades as “Shakespeare in Love,” it did win Best Music, Original Song for "You’ll Be in My Heart,” by Phil Collins.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Between “Forrest Gump” and “Pulp Fiction,” ’94 gave us some incredible films that have become cult favorites with time. “Pulp Fiction” is difficult to describe; it follows three separate storylines in no particular order timeline wise but is just filled with witty dialogue, tasteful violence and amazing acting.

Unfortunately “Pulp Fiction” went up against “Forrest Gump” and only came out with a single award for Best Writing Original Screenplay, an award shared by Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, heavily recurring names in the world of film for movies such as “Django Unchained” and “Silent Hill” respectively.

Ghost (1990)

Back when Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg were hot stuff, “Ghost” decided to combine the two for a fantastic film about a man that was murdered over money (Patrick Swayze) but manages to save his surviving lover (Demi Moore) through the help of a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg). The special effects are somewhat cheesy, but it's a great movie.

Hollywood seems to have agreed by awarding Bruce Joel Rubin, the film’s writer, with Best Original Screenplay. Whoopi also succeeded in taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress, ultimately completing her rare collection composed of an Oscar, a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy. She certainly deserved it, as her psychic fraud was spot on.

Batman (1989)

Despite meeting with some mixed reviews, Tim Burton’s rendition of “Batman” is generally viewed favorably. In this iteration, Batman (Michael Keaton) faces off with his comically insane arch-nemesis, the Joker (Jack Nicholson). Quite the difference from the more recent Joker depictions seen in “The Dark Knight” and soon enough in “Suicide Squad.”

“Batman” managed to take home the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, given to Anton Furst and Peter Young for their excellent set design throughout the film. It was nominated for quite a few other awards, but only managed to bring home the one.

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

As historically accurate films go, “Tora! Tora! Tora!” is most certainly one of the most recognizable. It details and recreates the attack on Pearl Harbor in a way that hasn’t been equaled since the film’s first run all the way back in 1970.

Though the movie is a tad slow-paced at times, its special effects afforded it the Best Special Effects award, given to L.B. Abbott and A.D. Flowers. As computers weren’t really a thing yet, all of the sets had to be created or borrowed, as was the case with the aircraft carrier used in the film.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

There are precious few films that mix animated characters with real actors, but the most well-known is most certainly "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," and not without good reason. Despite the film's title, the movie is more about Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) and his investigation to exonerate Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer) and save Toontown from being destroyed.

In addition to its stellar reviews (a whopping 97 percent on modern day Rotten Tomatoes), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was party to a number of awards, including Best Effects, Sound Editing to Charles L. Campbell and Louis Edemann.

Arthur Schmidt was given the Oscar for Best Film Editing for his fantastic work, and a hefty list including Ken Ralston, Richard Williams, Ed Jones, and George Gibbs all received the combined award for Best Effects, Visual Effects, not an unexpected reward for an excellent film featuring both real and animated characters occupying the same spaces.

These awards also made “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” to be the first animated film since “Mary Poppins” to win several Academy Awards.

Interested in other award-winning movies on Netflix? Leave us a comment about some of your favorites!

About the Author: Isa is an entertainment blogger by day and Netflix addict by night. As an entertainment blogger, she also enjoys keeping up with the latest news out of Hollywood.

2016 Emmys Nominations

Anthony Anderson and Lauren Graham announced the nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards live via webcast and chat from the Wolf Theatre at the Academy's newly-opened Saban Media Center.  Game of Thrones scored the most nominations with 23 for the show's sixth season followed closely by The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story which received 22 nominations. One of the most surprising, but also most deserving, entrants to the Drama Series category was The Americans which also received nominations for its lead actors Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell.

Full List of Nominees can be found here.

Outstanding Comedy Series 
Blackish
Master of None
Modern Family
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Veep

Outstanding Drama Series 
The Americans
Better Call Saul
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Carcs
Mr. Robot

Outstanding Limited Series
American Crime
Fargo
The Night Manager
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Roots

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Kyle Chandler, Bloodline
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Claire Danes, Homeland
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Keri Russell, The Americans
Robin Wright, House of Cards

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Bryan Cranston, All the Way
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Idris Elba, Luther
Cuba Gooding Jr., The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager
Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Felicity Huffman, Americn CrimeAudra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grille
Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Lili Taylor, American Crime
Kerry Washington, Confirmation

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy 
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Will Forte, Last Man on Earth
William H. Macy, Shameless
Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy 
Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Laurie Metcalf, Getting On
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Louie Anderson, Baskets
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tony Hale, Veep
Matt Walsh, Veep

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy 

Niecy Nash, Getting On

Allison Janney, Mom
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Judith Light, Transparent
Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Kit Harrington, Game of Thrones
Michael Kelly, House of Cards
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Maura Tierney, The Affair
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Lena Hedley, Game of Thrones
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones
Constance Zimmer, UnREAL

Outstanding Reality Competition
The Amazing Race
American Ninja WarriorDancing With the Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef
The Voice

Outstanding Variety Talk Series
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Late Show with James CordenReal Time With Bill Maher
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 


The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards are set for September 18th and will air live on ABC.

Television Critics Association Awards Nominations

(USA | FX)

The Television Critics Association has announced the nominees for the 32nd Annual TCA Awards and leading the nominations are USA Network's Mr. Robot and FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story with four nominations each.   Followed by The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Netflix's Master of None, FX's The Americans, and Lifetime's UnREAL which each three nominations a piece.  

In terms of the networks, HBO came out on top with 12 nominations followed closely by FX/FXX which received 11.  More first-time nominees are being recognized this year than ever before in TCA history.  Similarly, all of the slots in the Outstanding New Program Category come from smaller networks as opposed to the larger networks such as ABC and HBO.  

The 32nd Annual TCA Awards will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel during the Television Critic Association's summer press tour.  As previously announced, Jane the Virgin star Jaime Camil will host the ceremony.  

See a full list of nominees here. 

The 2016 Tony Awards

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, held at the Beacon Theatre and broadcast live on CBS, were hosted by James Corden.  In light of the horrific events in Orlando earlier in the day, the show was dedicated to those affected by said events.  

The cast of Hamilton opened the show in the best way possible: with a song about the night's host, James Corden in a spoof of their opening number.  James Corden made a few jokes and then had his own musical number about his love of the theatre that did last for quite some time. It concluded with all of the musical acting nominees on stage with the message "this could be where you belong."  

  
Hamilton was the night's biggest winner taking home 11 awards including Best Musical, Best Costumes, Lighting, Choreography to Andy Blankenbuehler, Orchestrations to Alex Lacamoire, Direction to Thomas Kail, Featured Actress in a Musical to Renee Elise Goldsberry, Featured Actor in a play to Daveed Diggs, Score and Book to Lin-Manuel Miranda whose his speech, in the form of a sonnet, was inspiring, and Leslie Odom Jr for Best Lead Actor.  The Color Purple won best Revival of a Musical and Cynthia Erivo took home Best Leading Actress for her role in the show. 

At the age of 62, Jayne Houdyshell won her first Tony Award for The Humans.  The show also won Best Featured Actor for Reed Birney, Best Scenic Design of a Play for David Zinn and Best Play. Frank Langella won Best Lead Actor in a Play for The Father.  

Arthur Miller's The View from the Bridge won Best Revival of a Play and Best Direction of a Play to Ivo van Hove.  Lead Actress in a Play went to Jessica Lange for her role in Long Day's Journey Into Night. The show was also awarded best Lighting Design to Natasha Katz.   David Rockwell took home the award for Scenic Design of a Play for She Loves Me.

Alex Brightman and the kids of School of Rock performed "You're in the Band."  Those kids really do rock and they play those instruments live 8 times a week.  The cast of Shuffle along showed off the exquisite tapping showcased in the show and made me realize I need to see it! The cast of She Loves Me performed a medley of "Ilona," "She Loves Me" and "Vanilla Ice Cream."  James Corden showed a priceless video of Josh Groban in his high school production of The Fiddler on the Roof followed by the cast of Fiddler on the Roof sang "Sunrise, Sunset" followed by an excellent dance number!

Steve Martin, Edie Brickell introduced the cast of Bright Star performing "If You Knew My Story." Cynthia Erivo and the cast of The Color Purple sang a medley of "Mysterious Ways" and "I'm Here." The cast of On Your Feet performed a medley from the show with Gloria Estefan.  Deaf West's Spring Awakening Broadway cast performed a medley of "Momma Who Bore Me," "Bitch of Living".  The company of Hamilton sang "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)." The cast of Waitress sang "Opening Up" then Sara Bareilles started "She Used to be Mine" and Jessie Mueller finished it once she changed costumes. Bebe Neuwirth performed a tribute to Chicago for its twentieth anniversary.  The cast of Hamilton  closed the show, after winning Best Musical, with "The Schuyler Sisters."

Throughout the night, some of the nominees performed bumpers outside during the broadcast. The first performance was Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sara Bareilles, Edie Brickell, Steve Martin and Lin-Manuel Miranda singing "Tomorrow" from Annie, with ALW on tambourine.  Other performances included: the cast of Shuffle Along sang "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" from Guys and Dolls,  Alex Brightman and the kids of School of Rock singing "The Phantom of the Opera," the cast of Fiddler on the Roof singing "No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun,  the cast of She Loves Me performed "Cabaret" and the cast of Hamilton singing "No Day But Today."

A full list of tonight's winners can be found here. 

2016 Tony Award Nominations

This morning, Tuesday, May 3, Nikki M. James and Andrew Rannells announced the 2016 Tony Award Nominations live from the Paramount Hotel's Diamond Horseshoe in New York City. 

Productions that opened during the 2015 - 2016 Broadway Season on or before the April 28 cut-off date are eligible for Tony Awards this year. The 70th Annual Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing,  will take place on June 12 at the Beacon Theatre.  The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS at 8/7c.  

Hamilton made history this year for most Tony nominations ever with 16, beating the previous record holders The Producers (2001) and Billy Elliot (2009) which received 15 each in their respective nomination years.. 

This year's Tony nominees are: 

Best Musical
Bright Star 
Hamilton
School of Rock - The Musical
Shuffle Along
Waitress

Best Play
Eclipsed
The Father
The Humans
King Charles III

Best Revival of a Musical
The Color Purple
Fiddler on the Roof
She Loves Me
Spring Awakening 

Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller's The Crucible 
Arthur Miller's The View from the Bridge
Blackbird
Long Day's Journey Into Night
Noises Off

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Carmen Cusack, Bright Star
Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
Jessie Mueller, Waitress
Phlillipa Soo, Hamilton

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Alex Brightman, School of Rock - The Musical
Danny Burnstein, Fiddler on the Roof
Zachary Levi, She Loves Me
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Lange, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Laurie Metcalf, Misery
Lupita Nyong'o, Eclipsed
Sophie Okonedo, Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Michelle Williams, Blackbird

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Gabriel Byrne, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Jeff Daniels, Blackbird
Frank Langella, The Father
Tim Pigott-Smit, King Charles III
Mark Strong, Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
Jane Krakowski, She Loves Me
Jennifer Simard, Disaster!
Adrienne Warren, Shuffle Along

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Brandon Victor Dixon, Shuffle Along
Christopher Fitzgerald, Waitress
Jonathan Groff, Hamilton
Christopher Jackson, Hamilton

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Pascale Armand, Eclipsed
Megan Hilty, Noises Off
Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans
Andrea Martin, Noises Off
Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Reed Birney, The Humans
Bill Camp, Arthur Miller's The Crucible
David Furr, Noises Off
Richard Goulding,King Charles III
Michael Shannon, Long Day's Journey Into Night

Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
John Doyle, The Color Purple
Scott Ellis, She Loves Me
Thomas Kail, Hamilton
George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along

Best Direction of a Play
Rupert Goold, King Charles III
Jonathan Kent, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Joe Mantello, The Humans
Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed
Ivo Van Hove, Arthur Miller's The View From the Bridge

Best Book of a Musical
Steve Martin, Bright Star
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Julian Fellowes, School of Rock - The Musical
George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along

Best Original Score
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater, School of Rock - The Musical
Sara Bareilles, Waitress

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Sheldon Harnick & Marshall W. Mason

Regional Theatre Award
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Brian Stokes Mitchell

Special Tony Award
National Endowment for the Arts
Miles Wilkin

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre
Seth Gelblum
Joan Lader
Sally Ann Parsons


A full list of this year's nominees can be found here.