Pink Leads 170-Performer Tony Opener, Lifting Neil Patrick Harris in Midair
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 8
Pink Leads 170-Performer Tony Opener, Lifting Neil Patrick Harris in Midair
3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 8
Summary
More than 170 performers joined Pink in Sunday’s Tony Awards opener, a rewritten “Lady Marmalade” that celebrated Broadway’s leading ladies and featured cameos from Megan Thee Stallion, Lea Michele and June Squibb.
Pink’s most talked-about stunt—hoisting Neil Patrick Harris with her legs while singing—was her own idea, developed with Harris after she wanted an opener that poked fun at her trademark flying.
Sunday morning was the first time the sprawling number was effectively assembled; choreographer Sarah O’Gleby and the creative team had rehearsed sections separately because casts were on different schedules.
Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Mark Sonnenblick said nominees and guests were eager to participate, helping turn jokes like Michele’s awards line and the viral “Gitchie, gitchie Lesley Manville” lyric into the telecast’s signature moments.