42w ago / 8:40 PM EDT

Pete Townshend takes the stage

Pete Townshend of The Who joined "The Who's Tommy" cast for a performance of "Pinball Wizard."

42w ago / 8:32 PM EDT

Will Brill dedicates Tony win to his therapist

Kaetlyn LiddyKaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

Brill, who won the Tony for best featured actor in a play for "Stereophonic," went beyond the usual "Mom" and "God" thank yous in his acceptance speech.

"I wouldn't be here without my therapist," he said in his speech. "And my bass teacher."

42w ago / 8:28 PM EDT

Best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play

Will Brill wins the best featured actor in a play Tony for “Stereophonic.”

42w ago / 8:23 PM EDT

Paint the Tonys green: 'Wicked' alums in the house

Kaetlyn LiddyKaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

Three women who have portrayed Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked" are up for Tonys this year: Shoshana Bean ("Hell’s Kitchen"), Eden Espinosa (“Lempicka”) and Lindsay Mendez ("Merrily We Roll Along").

Idina Menzel, who originated the role and won a Tony for her performance, is in attendance, as well.

42w ago / 8:22 PM EDT

Alicia Keys and Jay-Z take the stage

Alicia Keys performs alongside members of the company of "Hell's Kitchen" during the Tony Awards. Charles Sykes / AP

In a New York-centric performance, Alicia Keys appeared at the piano during the "Hell's Kitchen" medley with Jay-Z joining in for "Empire State of Mind."

42w ago / 8:16 PM EDT

Jeremy Strong is halfway to an EGOT

Kaetlyn LiddyKaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

Strong rose to fame for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Kendall Roy in "Succession."

With this Tony win, he is halfway to an EGOT. Strong played Dr. Thomas Stockmann in Amy Herzog’s adaptation of “Enemy of the People.”

Jeremy Strong during the Tony Awards.Theo Wargo / Getty Images

"This play is a cry of the heart," Strong said of the play. "It’s been a privilege to give its warning and hope to audiences.”

42w ago / 8:11 PM EDT

Angelina Jolie is in the crowd

The Oscar-winning actor is among many film and TV stars at the Tonys tonight. Jolie is a producer for "The Outsiders."

42w ago / 8:09 PM EDT

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play

Jeremy Strong wins the Tony for best lead actor in a play for “An Enemy of the People.”

42w ago / 8:09 PM EDT

DeBose touches on art as escape in opening monologue

Kaetlyn LiddyKaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

After kicking off the show with her musical talents, DeBose delivered an opening monologue about the importance of performance art during trying times.

"Headlines are frankly terrifying most of the time. But the theater is a safe place for us all," DeBose said in her monologue. "In the most trying of times, art is imperative. Because art reflects society and provides context for the very real situations we find ourselves in today."

DeBose also revealed she choreographed the opening night number.

42w ago / 8:04 PM EDT

Ariana DeBose kicks off the Tony Awards with a showstopper

Kaetlyn LiddyKaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

DeBose, hosting for a third time, kicked off the prime-time telecast of the 77th Tony Awards with a sleek and sultry opening number.

Ariana DeBose performs during the Tony Awards.Theo Wargo / Getty Images

"She's back," said the front page of a prop newspaper, Broadway Times.