The 70th Tony Awards were among the most diverse in its history. Four Black actors took home awards for their performances in musicals. Three of them, Reneé Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, and Leslie Odom Jr. star in Hamilton, which took home 11 awards.
British actress Cynthia Erivo won the award for Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple. The show, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer prize and National Book Award-winning novel, won for Best Revival of a Musical. As a producer of the show, Oprah Winfrey won as well.
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Cynthia Erivo brought down the house with a stirring performance of "I'm Here" during the cast's Tony Awards performance. She first performed the role of Celie in 2013 production of the show staged in a 180 seat theater in London.
Reneé Elise Goldsberry is a broadway veteran who took home her first Tony, Featured Actress in a Musical, for her role as Angelica Schuyler. Goldsberry has a special connection to the night's other big winner, The Color Purple. She originated the role of Nettie in the show's first Broadway production.
The Color Purple on Broadway opens on December 10, and the show's stars are busy promoting the musical's revival. British actress Cynthia Erivo stars as Celie and Jennifer Hudson plays Shug Avery. The two performed the show's title tune on Good Morning America.
