NEW YORK — “Billy Elliot,” the big British musical about a coal miner’s son who dreams to dance, bowled over Broadway tonight, winning 10 Tonys, including best musical and a unique best actor prize for the three young performers who share the title character.
The trio — David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — traded off thank-yous during their acceptance speech, shyly thanking people associated with the show only by their first name. They also acknowledged siblings and parents. Finally, Kulish told the cheering crowd at Radio City Music Hall: “We want to say to all the kids out there who might want to dance, ‘Never give up.”’
“Billy Elliot” collected eight other awards, including director of a musical, book of a musical and choreography, but its composer Elton John was upset for best score. That award was taken by “Next to Normal” — which seemed to stun “Normal” composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Brian Yorkey. Alice Ripley, who portrays battling mental illness in “Next to Normal,” received the actress musical prize.
“God of Carnage,” Yasmina Reza’s savage comedy of manners about two liberal, middle-class couples whose children get into a fight, was named best play and picked up two other major awards, one for its director, Matthew Warchus, and the other for actress Marcia Gay Harden.
“The Norman Conquests,” Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy, received the revival-play prize, while “Hair,” the iconic 1960s rock extravaganza roared to a win in the musical-revival category.
The director/musical award went to Stephen Daldry of “Billy Elliot.”
“Billy” also received prizes for featured actor (Gregory Jbara), sets, lighting, sound and a tie with “Next to Normal” for best orchestrations, which Kitt shared with Michael Starobin.
Geoffrey Rush’s extravagant portrait of a dying monarch in “Exit the King” took the top actor prize. “I want to thank Manhattan audiences for proving that French existential absurdist tragicomedy rocks,” Rush said.
Angela Lansbury received her fifth Tony, this time for her performance as the dotty medium Madame Arcati in a revival of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.” Her win in the featured-actress category tied the record for acting prizes held by Julie Harris, who has five plus a special lifetime achievement award given in 2002.
“Who would have thought,” the 83-year-old Lansbury began, drowned out by a standing ovation. “Who knew that (at) this time in my life that I should be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I feel deeply grateful.”
Lansbury gave a special lifetime achievement award to Jerry Herman, composer of Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame,” which starred Lansbury.
Roger Robinson’s portrayal of a mystical shamanlike character in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” was honored with the featured-acting prize.
Featured actress-musical went to Karen Olivo as the spitfire Anita in the revival of “West Side Story.”
Bret Michaels injured himself in the show’s opening production number when he rocked it out with a number from “Rock of Ages.” The extent of his injury was not immediately known.
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