Tony Awards 2021: Tom Hiddleston, Adrienne Warren sizzles at the red carpet

The red carpet of the 74th edition of the Tony Awards kicked off on Sunday evening. The awards will honour Broadway musicals and plays that opened during the 2019/20 season. It will be hosted by Audra McDonald and Leslie Odom Jr. The awards celebrate an art form that really needs the boost — live theatre.

Although the red carpet lacks in commercialisation, it makes up for in heart. 

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Sunday’s show has been expanded from its typical three hours to four, with Audra McDonald handing out Tonys for the first two hours and Leslie Odom Jr. hosting a “Broadway’s Back!” celebration for the second half, including the awarding of the top three trophies — best play revival, best play and best musical.

Hollywood actor Tom Hiddleston set a few hearts racing looking all dapper on the carpet. The “Loki” star is nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play for his role in “Betrayal.”

Theatrical producer Irene Gandy, Tony award winner herself, graced the red carpet draped in a gorgeous gown, which quite stunningly embodies her oomph factor.

Dressed in a royal blue get-up, David Byrne, the Talking Heads frontman whose musical “American Utopia” is among Sunday’s honorees, said he’s started going to shows as a spectator and it’s “amazing feeling.”

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“The audiences are overjoyed,” Byrne said. “They’re happy to see the shows, but they’re happy to just see one another, to be in the same room with other people. It’s really exciting.”

Leslie Odom Jr., who became a household name playing Aaron Burr in the original “Hamilton” run, is hosting a special tribute to Broadway that’s airing on CBS Sunday night. He says he’s confident that people will appreciate theatre and its performers more now that they’ve returned.

“I think we’re going to return with a new sense of gratitude,” Odom said, according to Associated Press inputs.

Actor Adrienne Warren and Joaquina Kalukango added the glam to the red carpet party. 

This year’s Tony Awards is taking place at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.