The theater world loves drama, and the Tony Awards ceremony promises plenty. “Dear Evan Hansen,” about an adolescent with social anxiety whose life changes after a classmate kills himself, explores the ways in which social media amplifies and distorts communication and community. He is planning to open and close the Tony Awards with song (joined, in the end, by a beloved Broadway performer, Patti LuPone). Among those expected to win Tony Awards are Ms. Midler, Kevin Kline (for his performance in a revival of “Present Laughter”), Ben Platt (the star of “Dear Evan Hansen”) and Laurie Metcalf (for “A Doll’s House, Part 2.”)Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe awards are all significant. The Dallas Theater Center is getting the regional theater Tony; the director/choreographer Baayork Lee is getting the Isabelle Stevenson award for volunteerism; and the general managers Nina Lannan and Alan Wasser are getting Tony honors for excellence in the theater.

Source: New York Times June 11, 2017 12:00 UTC