10062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/10/2025 12:35 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE SAM’S SPOTLIGHT Brilliant revival Life Cole Escola won the Tony for best lead actor in a play for his creation “Oh, Mary!” The show, Escola’s reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln’s life and relationship with husband Abraham Lincoln, blends historical satire with absurd camp. The show also earned Sam Pinkleton the Tony for best director of a play. At the 78th Annual Tony Awards pre-show, Jack Knowles received the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for his work on the revival of Sunset Boulevard. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 10 JUNE 2025 Broadway’s night of firsts Purpose makes Tony Awards history for Kara Young, wins Best Play award THE CAST AND CREW OF THE PLAY "PURPOSE" ACCEPT THE AWARD FOR BEST PLAY DURING THE 78TH TONY AWARDS T HE Best New Play trophy at Sunday’s Tony Awards was claimed by Purpose, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ drawing-room drama exploring the internal fractures of an accomplished Black family snowed in together. The win capped a remarkable season for JacobsJenkins, who also earned the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Purpose — a win that coincided with his role on the Met Gala host committee. This victory marked JacobsJenkins’ second consecutive Tony, following last year’s Best Revival win for Appropriate. He now becomes the first Black playwright to win Best New Play since August Wilson received the honour in 1987 for Fences. Onstage, Jacobs-Jenkins used his moment to urge Tony viewers to support regional theatre. JUE’S TRIUMPH Francis Jue won Best Actor in a Featured Role for his performance in a revival of Yellow Face. Wearing a tuxedo gifted by a fellow Asian actor, Jue dedicated his win to “generations of wonderful deserving Asian artists who came before me”. He added, “To those who don’t feel seen; I see you.” Jak Malone was awarded Best Featured Actor in a Musical for the British import Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, in which he plays a woman. He hoped his win would serve as a strong statement in support of trans rights. BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS SNOOK’S 26 ROLES DOUBLE WIN FOR YOUNG Sarah Snook won Best Leading Actress for her one-woman powerhouse performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she seamlessly plays all 26 characters. She credited her crew and collaborators for the achievement and rejected the ‘solo show’ label. “I don’t feel alone any night,” she said. The play also won Best Costumes in a Play. SPARKLING START First-time host Cynthia Erivo opened the ceremony in theatrical fashion, dashing from her dressing room after being prompted by the stage manager. Erivo emerged in a red, spangled gown with white accents and performed the original ballad Sometimes All You Need Is a Song, written by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Kara Young became the first Black person to win Tony acting awards in consecutive years. Her win for Purpose followed last year’s success, and she’s also the only Black woman ever nominated four years in a row. In her speech, she called theatre a ‘sacred space that unites people and thanked her parents. Patricia Delgado) and Best Orchestrations (Marco Paguia), as well as Best Sound Design. Meanwhile, The Picture of Dorian Gray secured Best Costumes in a Play for designer Marg Hornwell and Death Becomes Her won Best Costumes in a Musical for Paul Tazewell — who earlier this year became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design (Wicked). SEASON SHAPED BY PLAYS EARLY MUSICAL MOMENTUM Before the main event, several musicals gathered early momentum. Maybe Happy Ending took home Best Book and Best Score, with lyrics by Hue Park and music by Will Aronson. It also won Best Scenic Design of a Musical and entered the evening as a frontrunner for Best New Musical. Buena Vista Social Club impressed with awards for Best Choreography (Justin Peck and DARREN CRISS AND HELEN J. SHEN This season on Broadway was marked not by musicals, but by the prominence of plays powered by A-list talent. In addition to Snook, stars such as George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck), Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal (Othello) and Bob Odenkirk (Glengarry Glen Ross) drove critical buzz. Pulitzer-winning plays English (2024) and Purpose (2025) were joined by Oh, Mary! — Cole Esco- la’s offbeat, irreverent take on Mary Todd Lincoln — as key conversation starters, though Oh, Mary! remained winless at the halfway mark. MUSICAL SHOWDOWN Three musicals contended for the top prize—Maybe Happy Ending, a romantic comedy about androids; Dead Outlaw, the story of a drifter whose embalmed body becomes a prized relic; and Death Becomes Her, a satire about vanity, immortality and female rivalry. Each entered the night with 10 nominations. Other musicals featured in the ceremony included Just in Time (about Bobby Darin) and Real Women Have Curves, though BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical and SMASH were notably absent from the line-up. ‘Hamilton’ was also honoured, celebrating a decade on Broadway.— AP MIRIAM BUETHER AND 59 STUDIO FRANCIS JUE TONY AWARD WINNERS ■ Best Musical: Maybe Happy Ending ■ Best Play: Purpose ■ Best Revival of a Musical: Sunset Blvd ■ Best Revival of a Play: Eureka Day ■ Best Actor (Leading Role in a Play): Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!) ■ Best Actress (Leading Role in a Play): Sarah Snook (The Picture of Dorian Gray) ■ Best Actor (Leading Role in a Musical): Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending) ■ Best Actress (Leading Role in a Musical): Nicole Scherzinger (Sunset Blvd) ■ Best Actor (Featured Role in a Play): Francis Jue (Yellow Face) ■ Best Actress (Featured Role in a Play): Kara Young (Purpose) ■ Best Actor (Featured Role in a Musical): Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical) ■ Best Actress (Featured Role in a Musical): Natalie Venetia Belcon (Buena Vista Social Club) ■ Best Direction of a Play: Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!) ■ Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) CYNTHIA ERIVO Actor Namik Paul on building discipline, balance, strength while working long hours Fitfor frame Known for his screen presence, Kumkum Bhagya actor Namik Paul has always made health a priority. Amidst packed shooting schedules and unpredictable hours, he finds time to stay active — physically and mentally. In this interview, Namik opens up about his wellness philosophy, fitness routine and how discipline keeps him steady in an otherwise chaotic industry. How do you prioritise fitness with such a busy acting schedule? Fitness has always been non-negotiable. Even on the sets of Kumkum Bhagya, I find small windows between scenes to stay active — be it push-ups, jumping jacks or simply walking around to keep the blood flowing. healthy snacks, stay well-hydrated and eat mindfully through the day. That said, I believe in balance — I do enjoy the occasional cheat meal and don’t feel guilty about it. How do you stay flexible with your workout routine given the unpredictable work hours? How does staying fit benefit your mental wellbeing? When I’m shooting, I break my routine into shorter bursts of activity throughout the day. On off days, I hit the gym harder, focusing on strength training, conditioning and cardio. What role does nutrition play in your fitness and wellness routine? Nutrition is crucial. I always carry c m y b Fitness helps me feel in control of both body and mind. It keeps me grounded and centred, especially in an industry that can be physically and mentally demanding. What keeps you motivated to stay active, especially when your schedule is constantly changing? The way I feel after a workout keeps me going. It’s not about aesthetics Headturners — it’s about energy, clarity and strength. On chaotic days, even a brief workout makes me feel in control and ready to give my best. (Clockwise from top) Katie Holmes, Amal & George Clooney, Brooke Shields and Nicole Scherzinger were the showstealers at the 78th Annual Tony Awards in New York City, US. PHOTOS: REUTERS Thoko Taali… for Sidhu! As an actor, do you feel pressure to look fit? How do you handle that? There’s always some pressure in this profession, but for me it’s never just about appearances. It’s about being strong and feeling good. That mindset helps me focus more on health and performance than on looks alone. What are two fitness tips you would offer to someone starting their fitness journey? First, consistency beats intensity — start small, but stay regular. Second, find balance — don’t deprive yourself entirely. Enjoy the journey and allow room for the occasional cheat meal or rest day without guilt. Brace yourselves — the thoko taali is back and so is Navjot Singh Sidhu! The Great Indian Kapil Show, on Netflix, kicks off its third season on June 21 with a twist audiences didn’t see coming— the original laughter king returns to his rightful place — on the throne, right next to laughter queen Archana Puran Singh! Navjot Singh Sidhu, shared, “Coming to The Great Indian Kapil Show feels like I’m coming home again. It is a home run for me. We heard the voice of the people, so many fans and well wishers who loved our interactions and wanted to see more.”