THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 13, 1994 TAG: 9406130079
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: 940613 LENGTH: NEW YORK
His work beat ``Beauty and the Beast'' for best musical Sunday at the 1994 Tony Awards, where Broadway honored the best of a theater season dominated by old shows.
{REST} The big battle Sunday was between two very different love stories. ``Beauty and the Beast,'' a lavish stage version of the Walt Disney animated movie, was the season's most popular new show. Filled with eye-popping special effects, the fairy-tale romance brought the world's best-known film company - and its expert marketing - to Broadway.
``Passion'' is the work of the coolly cerebral Sondheim, Broadway's most celebrated composer, and author-director James Lapine. It tells an adult story of obsessive love, the desire by a plain, unhappy woman for a handsome military officer.
Taking home top acting honors were Diana Rigg, who played the vengeful title character of ``Medea,'' for best actress in a play, and Stephen Spinella, the AIDS-afflicted hero of ``Angels in America: Perestroika,'' for best actor in a play.
``I shall carry this home, not only this, but the wonderful memories of American audiences and playing on Broadway,'' Rigg said as she accepted her award.
``It's been an incredible year,'' said a subdued Spinella who then named four actor-friends who had died during the year.
THE WINNERS:
Winners of the 1994 Tony Awards, honoring the best of the Broadway season, include:
Play: ``Angels in America: Perestroika'' by Tony Kushner.
Musical: ``Passion.''
Actor, Play: Stephen Spinella ``Angels in America: Perestroika.''
Actress, Play: Diana Rigg ``Medea.''
Actor, Musical: Boyd Gaines ``She Loves Me.''
Actress, Musical: Donna Murphy ``Passion.''
Book, Musical: James Lapine ``Passion.''
Score, Musical: Stephen Sondheim ``Passion.''
Director, Play: Stephen Daldry ``An Inspector Calls.''
Director, Musical: Nicholas Hytner ``Carousel.''
Featured Actor, Play: Jeffrey Wright ``Angels in America: Perestroika.''
Featured Actress, Play: Jane Adams ``An Inspector Calls.''
Featured Actor, Musical: Jarrod Emick ``Damn Yankees.''
Featured Actress, Musical: Audra Ann McDonald ``Carousel.''
Revival, Play: ``An Inspector Calls.''
Revival, Musical: ``Carousel.''
Scenic Design: Bob Crowley ``Carousel.''
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward ``Beauty and the Beast.''
Lighting Design: Rick Fisher ``An Inspector Calls.''
Choreography: Sir Kenneth MacMillan ``Carousel.''
A special Tony Award for continued excellence by a regional theater: McCarter Theatre of Princeton, N.J.
by CNB