Last week we saw a lot of unique personal style walk the red carpet at the CFDA Awards.  This week the Tony Awards brings us a lot more safe style.  There are a lot of fantastic women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s taking risky roles and shining on Broadway.  But they seem to play it safe on the red carpet.

I have not had a chance to watch the entire show yet. But I am slowly catching up via YouTube.  Even the highlights have made me tear up a bit.  I look forward to catching all the high and low notes in the days to come.

I will admit that this is the red carpet where I really have to bite my tonque when it comes to plastic surgery.  It is plentiful!  I can only imagine the pressure on actresses in their 50s, 60s and 70s to continue to look younger than they are to get roles.  But many of them, in my opinion, would looked lovelier if they embraced their age.  But that is all I am going to say on that subject today.

Head of the Class

Judith Light, Cynthia Nixon and Sheryl Crow

My three favourite outfits of the night.  Judith Light looked so chic in a winter white dress that emphasized her tall figure.   I love that newlywed Cynthia Nixon (who shaved her head for a role) did not opt for a wig, but accessorized her short hair with a great bright coloured dress.   And Sheryl Crow looked fantastic in dark blue.

The trends for the night...

Rich Jewel Tones

Bernadette Peters, Judy Kaye and Ellen Barkin in rich jewel tone dresses.

 All over Sparkle

Spencer Kayden, Linda Lavin and Stockard Channing wore all over sparkles.

 Bright Colours

5 time Tony winner Audra McDonald, Beth Leavel and Kathy Najimy in bright colours.

Black (and White)

Pam Mackinnon, Jan Maxwell and Suzan-Lori Parks went with a black (and white) palette.

Pastels

Heather Hitchen and Tracie Bennett in pretty pastels. And then a completely different Tracie Bennett performing as Judy Garland.

The Couples

As usual there were some great looking couples out for a red carpet date night.  They mirrored the 2012Hollywood red carpet trends with nude, white, sparkle and black/white.

Cecilia Hunt with husband James Earl Jones and Toni and Michael McGraw.

 

Diane Sawyer with Mike Nicols and Kathryn Grody and Mandy Patinkin.

There were also some great onstage couples - together to present awards and entertain the audience.  Both Angela and Patti are legendary  Broadway stars and both kept it simple and elegant onstage.  Note that Angela's Broadway record for 4 wins for leading female was broken at the show by Audra McDonald.

Onstage couples Angela Lansbury with Ted Chapin and Patti Lupone with Mandy Patinkin.

My favourite couple of the night was Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman. I regularly love her style on the red carpet. She usually pairs classic pieces with a statement piece or accessory.  This time it was the boa like trim on her dress and the animal print clutch.    Loved that she surprised him on stage for his award.  And the way the two aren't afraid of a little PDA - how many kids do they have again?

Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman at the 2012 Tony Awards

Here is the video of his acceptance speech (he won a Special Tony for his onstage work).  Such a heart warming speech and a lovely moment with his gorgeous wife at the end.

 

And then I need to send a little love to Neil Patrick Harris. I thought both his opening and closing were both superb. Here is his opening "What if Life Were More Like Theater".