Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 5, 1995 TAG: 9506070028
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
It won seven Tonys, more than any other show. ``Show Boat,'' the lavish production of the landmark Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II musical, followed with five awards.
``Love! Valour! Compassion!'' by Terrence McNally was chosen best play. The story of eight gay men during one summer won over strong competition, including Tom Stoppard's ``Arcadia.''
In addition to best musical, ``Sunset Boulevard'' was honored for best actress-musical, Glenn Close; featured actor-musical, George Hearn; sets, John Napier, and lighting, Andrew Bridge. The musical's awards for book and score were granted last month by the Tony nominating committee because there were no other nominees in those categories.
Lloyd Webber graciously thanked Billy Wilder, director of the classic movie that first brought silent screen star Norma Desmond to life. Close, who plays Norma in the musical, said the character is now ``a classic role in the musical theater.''
``Show Boat'' was chosen best musical revival. Its four other honors: director-musical, Harold Prince; featured actress-musical, Gretha Boston; choreography, Susan Stroman, and costumes, Florence Klotz.
``The Heiress,'' a stage adaptation of the Henry James novel ``Washington Square,'' took home four awards.
Cherry Jones, who plays the cruelly deceived title character, was named best actress in a play. ``This is a spring I shall never forget,'' she exulted as she picked up the prize.
Frances Sternhagen, a veteran character performer who plays a flighty, fidgety aunt in the Lincoln Center Theater production, was chosen best featured, or supporting, actress. The revival also won a prize for Gerald Gutierrez as best director of a play.
Ralph Fiennes was named best actor in a play for his fierce, lean performance as the melancholy Dane in ``Hamlet.'' Matthew Broderick's portrayal of the ambitious window washer in ``How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'' got the Tony for best actor in a musical.
John Glover won as featured actor for his dual portrait of twin brothers in ``Love! Valour! Compassion!'' It was a popular choice, and the audience cheered his victory.
``I've been knocking about this business for 30-plus years now, and I've had the good fortune to work with some amazing actors,'' the exuberant Glover said as he then listed everyone in the show's cast.
Only 28 productions opened on Broadway during the 1994-95 season, and half were old plays and musicals.
by CNB