The 2008 Tony Awards: Not Very Gay

While there were no upset wins or "gay" moments on par with last year's surprise win by David Hyde Pierce for his role in Curtains (or his surprise acknowledgment of his partner Brian Hargrove) during Sunday night's Tony Award broadcast from New York City's Radio City Music Hall, there were nonetheless plenty of gay moments to be found. They ranged from Stephen Sondheim's special award to Douglas Carter Beane's nomination for Best Book of a Musical for Xanadu to appearances by gay favorites such as Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Lily Tomlin, and Megan Mullally.

Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli

While out gay men were nominated in a wide variety of categories including actors, directors, writers, and choreographers, none of those nominated took home major awards. Out British actor Ben Daniels (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) lost the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play to Mark Rylance (Boeing-Boeing) while bisexual actor Raul Esparza (The Homecoming) went home empty-handed as Jim Norton (The Seafarer) snagged the Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. It was Esparza whom David Hyde-Pierce upset last year for the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.

Robin de Jesus (In the Heights), Laura Linney and Ben Daniels, Douglas Carter Beane

Other gay men who went home without Tony's included Arthur Laurents (Gypsy, director), Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, Best Book of a Musical), and Robin de Jesus (In the Heights). However, Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim was honored with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater. With Sondheim unable to appear, Mandy Patinkin read a letter from the renowned lyricist and composer.

Stephen Sondheim

Even if gay men didn't fare well in this year's Tony sweepstakes, there were bright spots. Out actor David Hyde-Pierce, out director John Waters and out actress Lily Tomlin all made appearances as presenters. Gay favorite Patti LuPone brought down the house peforming as Mama Rose shortly before taking the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical for her role in Gypsy. Other highlights included musical numbers from Cry-Baby and South Pacific. But for many gay viewers the highlight of the evening might very well have been out Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson's appearance as Sonny from Xanadu.

Cheyenne Jackson in Xanadu

While Jackson's co-star Kerry Butler was nominated for her role as Clio/Kira, Jackson (who recently placed 4th on AfterElton.com's Hot 100 list) was overlooked for his role with both Ben Brantley and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times saying Jackson should have been nominated. And Jackson showed exactly why that was the case, demonstrating his singing chops performing "Don't Walk Away". (He also "rocked" his trademark shorts from the musical.)

The single biggest winner during Sunday's ceremony was the revival of South Pacific which racked up seven Tony wins. August: Osage County was a close second with five Tonys, followed by In the Heights with four awards. And while gay artists and gay-themed works had little presence at this year's awards, diversity was well-represented with awards going to racial-themed plays and musicals featuring stories about Latinos and African-Americans including In the Heights, South Pacific and Passing Strange (which featured out actor Colman Domingo playing gay). Additionally, Anna D. Shapiro won for her direction of August: Osage County, marking only the fifth time a woman has won for direction.

Next Page! Tony pictures including more of Cheyenne, Rent and Patti LuPone!