Lea Michele is going to lead a number from the revival of “Funny Girl” that opened a year ago.
And Joaquina Kalukango, one of last year’s Tony winners, will sing a song to accompany the In Memoriam segment.
Broadway is still struggling to recover from the lengthy coronavirus shutdown — attendance remains 17 percent below prepandemic levels — and producers view the Tony Awards as an important way to introduce a large audience to the newest shows.
Also, the Tonys are a way to lift up theater as an art form, often boosting the careers of the artists involved.
Wins and nominations help plays get staged at regional theaters and taught in colleges, and telecast performances help musicals sell tickets and tour.
Persons:
Ariana DeBose, Steven Spielberg’s “, Donna Summer, Julianne Hough, Skylar Astin, “, ” “ Kimberly Akimbo, ”, “ Sweeney Todd, Lea Michele, Neil Diamond, Tony
Locations:
” “ New York , New York