BRILLIANT!!! The hotline between OK-Chgo was burning up!! Can't wait to hear Donna's report. She's probably still on the ceiling. Also can't wait to see those pics, Tineke.

WWWHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's such an honor to be nominated--BUT IT'S BETTER TO WIN!!!!!!!!! They swept it--best revival, actor and actress--couldn't ask for much more than that! Jennifer looked beautiful, and played nice tribute to her parents in her speech, who were beaming with pride! She was sitting right in back of her parents, beautiful moment when they called her name and she grabbed her mom and kissed her. And Stephen looked soooo dapper and spoke so nicely! I'll bet they're scraping Donna off the ceiling at Radio City! LOL! (Ann) I hope you don't mind but I have to say a great night for the Brits, Yes it was, Ann, and good for the Brits--they deserved to win! (Michael Frayne sp? also won best play for Copenhagen.)

Think I'll include Ray Dotrice's acceptance speech on that compilation tape (says the Evil One);-)

Oh thanks so much for that Karen, I am so looking forward to seeing it, thalnks for all your hard work.

Please do, oh evil one.:-) What a nice man . . .

Okay, here goes...Tineke-who-should-be-in-bed-but-what's-the-point-the-sun-is-rising-so-I-may-as-well-stay-up-Mini Backstage Report: The only thing you could see on-line of what was happening inside were the transscripts of everything that was being said, including the songs. This lead to some rather funny transcripts: "it's darn hot, it's hot, man, it's darn hot, it's too darn hot, hot...it's hot" I have no clue what musical or what show this is from. Perhaps you can enlighten me. Anyway, all the winners went to the press room afterwards, and there was a webcam there. Here's Jennifer talking to the press: Jennifer walked off that mini-stage to watch Stephen accept his award: Then Jennifer was interviewed for Tonys.org, followed by the SD interview. Also, I would like to thank my parents for giving me this computer, my sister for providing me with illegal photoshop software, Uni for giving me internet access,...;-)

Marei, what did Jennifer wear, not the black trouser suit, I hope (LOL) and what did Mum wear and was it a good Show?

LOL!! Tineke! You got better shots than were on TV. Good shots of Jenn's dress (back and front, although didn't fit her well...you knew there would be a critical comment from me) :-) "Too Darn Hot" is from Kiss Me Kate Wow, do I want to see Contact! That Simply Irresistable number was great! I can't believe you guys are still up.

I'm not the only who's up. There are quite a few students in my street who got up early to study. Lemme see, I got more pics, you know. I'm sorry if they take too long to load.

Thanks for the fireworks, Karen....and for putting up with all of us , and for setting up this board.... Tineke....what great pics....that's Jennifer squatting down in front of the TV. Ann...Jennifer had a white beaded dress...ahem, K. thought it was too big...I thought too small. She gave a cute acceptance speech...SD was in shock. Hey, the guy just thanked the Jennifer Ehle fans! Evelyn, what did you do? I dunno..I did email them earlier to thank them for carrying the Sardi's nomination brunch live online...and of course gave the JE fan Page URL.

As you can see, Ann, it wasn't the black trouser interview suit, but a pastel (maybe pale green) slinky number with spaghetti staps, about calf-length. Sexy yet sophisticated. (I thought it fit fine;-) I didn't notice mum's dress, I was too busy screaming and jumping up and down, I'm afraid! Matthew Broderick gave out the best actress award, but before doing so, he talked about Jennifer and RH, saying it was the first time in Tony history that a mother-daughter combo had been nommed, and that the mother wanted the daughter to win, and vice versa. Harvey got himself onstage for the best play revivial award, but didn't get a chance to speak--haha! The NY producer, Anita Waxman, accepted, and thanked the Donmar and Sam Mendes. Great pics, Tineke, thanks!

Oh no...Jennifer isn't sitting up straight.... Moon will be so disappointed;-) Fabulous pics Tineke.What a coup!!! Aren't you gonna go to bed ?

I think I'll just stay up and start studying. I've got a very important exam tomorrow.

From Broadway.com 10:14PM Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Stephen Dillane, The Real Thing Dillane commented on how great a night it has been for The Real Thing while Ehle watched with her Tony from backstage. Ehle was so excited she wanted to be comfortable for his acceptance speech � she squatted on the floor while she listened! 9:59PM Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Jennifer Ehle, The Real Thing Ehle beat out her mother, Rosemary Harris, who was nominated in the same category for her work in Waiting in the Wings. Matthew Broderick, who presented the award, noted that mother wanted daughter to win and daughter wanted mother to win. Ehle pulled an upset though, not an upset over her mother (who was not expected to win) but an upset over Cherry Jones and Claudia Shear � both of whom were critical favorites. In her acceptance speech an excited Ehle thanked Harris and her father by saying, �Thank you to my beautiful parents for teaching me how to talk, walk, and read.� Backstage Ehle was in a celebrating mood. Someone gave her a glass of champagne and when she was told she needed to go to the press room, she replied, �Can I bring my champagne with

Here's MSNBC's story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/415693.asp#BODY

Nice pics from NY times

WOW everyone well done. Fabulous news just dashing to work!!!

from Playbill

more Playbill Stephen Dillane with presenter Kathy Lee Gifford.

from Yahoo Kathly Lee Gifford boasting "look Claudia!";-)

want me to stop?

Last one....for now;-)

from Playbill I think this one was taken after she squatted on the floor to watch SD;-)

Great news! Great reporting! Hooray!!!! Tineke, fantastic work, now quit it, and get on with your revision. Don't fail that exam.

Fantastic, I was cheering last night! pastel (maybe pale green) slinky number with spaghetti staps, about calf-length. Sexy yet sophisticated. (I thought it fit fine;-) I thought she could have done a lot better for her big night out. That dress looked wrinkled, she only wore earrings and her hair Louisa! Her mother looked chic and glamourous, too bad Jennifer did not pick any of that up from her. Yes, Evelyn, she really should sit up straight (not very lady like). SD should have worn a tux. I hate that mobster black on black look. Did anyone noticed what a dark mood Gabriel B was in after they announced JE as best actress. He knew at that point he had not won. My cutie patoutie award goes to Leveraux (sp) that close up on him was a knock-out. Any chance of getting a snappie or a picture of him posted?

And, thank you Tineke for staying up late with those reports and pictures. And you too Karen, for starting this topic.

Did anyone notice if Tom Stoppard was there, also what did SW wear. I have to say I agree with Moon regarding Jennifer's dress, considering she has such a lovely figure the dress was completely shapeless, alright from the bust upwards. Who goes shopping with her?! Its a good thing she has such a lovely face and actually I like her hair, au naturel!!(sp) Still none of this must detract from the wonderful news of their winning the Tonys for great performances, very very well deserved.( Perhaps you should be her wardrobe adviser Moon.) Great to see the news on our Teletext and Ceefax, absolutely wonderful. What did everyone think of the Show overall, the reporter at The New York Daily News was not too impressed with Rosie.

I have to disagree on the dress, I rather liked it. I prefer simple dresses.

From Variety--just the key parts: Backstage at the Tony Awards NEW YORK (Variety) Newcomer Jennifer Ehle beat out veteran Rosemary Harris, her mother, for the actress award. ``I never viewed it as a competition and she didn't either. You can't in different theaters and different plays,'' said Ehle, who won for ``The Real Thing.'' Harris was nominated for ``Waiting in the Wings.'' As for what they said pre-show, ``We were just scrambling around getting ready. We didn't think either of us would win.'' As for what ran through her head as she went up the stairs to the Radio City Music Hall stage, ``I was thinking about not tripping and finding a toilet, it had been a two- and a half-hour wait.'' Her run in ``The Real Thing'' is supposed to come to an end Aug. 12, but not because of Actors' Equity rules for British actors. ``The Equity regulations don't apply to me, because I'm an American citizen.'' Ehle is a British resident and possesses a very British accent. Can she talk American? ``Yes,'' she answered in decidedly tough tones. Will all the Tonys help extend the run of Tom Stoppard's ``The Real Thing?'' ``Nothing planned,'' said Stephen Dillane, who won the actor Tony. He said the play has changed a bit since it traveled across the Atlantic. ``It demands that we be a little bit more outgoing. Maybe audiences here want a bit more razzmatazz than they did in England.'' Dillane denied the rumor that his body language in the role was based on Stoppard's.

I have to disagree on the dress, I rather liked it. I prefer simple dresses. There is nothing wrong with a simple dress, Tineke, but it was a gala occasion. It was her big night and she should have risen to the occasion. ``The Equity regulations don't apply to me, because I'm an American citizen.'' It sounds like she might want to stay in NY. :-)

Fantastic captures, Tineke. Donna can even examine Jennifer's manicure from that one closeup. ;-) Her dress was OK, but didn't fit or suit her figure type IMO.

From BBC: Meanwhile, Ehle and Dillane won best actress and actor for their parts in Tom Stoppard's play The Real Thing, which also won best play revival. Ehle - best known for appearing in the film This Year's Love and the BBC's Pride and Prejudice - beat her mother, Rosemary Harris to the award.

More from Yahoo What camera do I look at?

God, what an amazing night! When TRT won the first award right off the bat, it seemed a lock that SD would win, but when JE won I was totally shocked -- thought the Brit factor would work against them. Thought Ray Dotrice's speech was fabulous and very apropos of the situation (re: Americans' willingness to applaud a good performance without envy -- nice smack at the Brit critics). Blakemore (?) and Frayn also made similar comments. How is all this playing in the UK? Or are the papers just focusing on the "We won" angle a la the Oscars? Re: Jennifer's dress -- remember, she wasn't expecting to win, so perhaps that's why she didn't go overboard. Personally I thought she looked fine. I loved that she stopped her interview to watch SD accept his award, and it was nice that she was sitting with Nigel Lindsay. I cracked up at the funny grimace she gave when Matthew Broderick announced her as "Jennifer Ehle, the daughter" -- looks like she wants them to give that a rest, already. (Did everyone see the Tony blurb/photos of JE and RH in yesterday's Parade mag?) This was the first Tonycast I've watched in years, and I thought Rosie and Nathan Lane were great and actually pretty funny in spots -- a few lame-o jokes, but not nearly as bad as at the Oscars. And they brought in the show on time, too.

Great pictures Tineke, they certainly look very very happy, smiles all round. How is all this playing in the UK? Susan, it would have been too late to get into today's papers, except possibly The London Evening Standard but I am hoping there will be something in tomorrow's papers. When Judi Dench won last year there was masses about it and this year we have JE, SD, TS, TRT, EJ & TM. MB & RD, so I would hope there would be more that just something.

You're right about the London Evening Standard, Ann. Go to http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=288005&in_review_text_id=233133

More from BBC Tonys in pictures The Winners This is what Karen posted earlier

RE: Jennifer's attire--you people are brutal! LOL! She's a bit of a tomboy, isn't she? Not the princess type at all, but isn't that part of what we love about her? Her personality is reflected in her dress and in the vitality she brings to her performances. She had me absolutely hooked on P&P right from the opening moments with her expressive face and when she skipped and ran across those fields. I recall thinking, thank God, not another corset drama, but a real flesh and blood Lizzie! You see her physicality in TRT as well, e.g., sprawling across that sofa, "Touch me." Yeeow! Ann, Tom Stoppard wasn't there. Agree with Susan, I thought the show was pretty good, as awards shows go. Loved all the dance numbers, real energy there, and I enjoyed all the behind the scenes stuff they showed in the first hour. I also thought Rosie and Nathan Lane did fine as hosts, especially when they tore into the National Rifle Assn. and its #1 henchman, Charleton Heston.:-)

(Mari)RE: Jennifer's attire--you people are brutal! LOL...I keep telling ya'...this is a tough crowd. Poor Renee got it and now poor Jennifer.She isn't a clothes horse... but is THE TOAST OF B"WAY... Lots of dolls out there who want to trade places with her;-) I had an email from Donna who is resting....she liked her dress.I'll let her report the audience reaction. But didn't you LOL at Claudia Shearer who was primping up (in a gorgeous dress, Moon;-)as they were reading out the Best Actress...she had her foot in the aisle ready to go.... Instead...the self-deprecating gal....unpretentious, unaffected but a helluva actress got it. Paramount classics is dancing in the streets, I bet.(Sunshine comes out on Friday) I had an email from Rachel at the Donmar...they stayed up all night too...and are thrilled. Big Time on Earlham Street. Sam Mendes must be dizzy with excitement. An Oscar and his Donmar gets the Tony...he must be doing something right.

Where do I begin? Thanks ladies for your warm send-off. I am baaack, tired, and overwhelmed with photos and articles to read :-) First an excerpt from Broadway.com: Another big winner was the Donmar Warehouse revival of Tom Stoppard�s The Real Thing. �It�s a play about love that is not cynical and therefore is a courageous play,� said David Leveaux, the director of The Real Thing. The play�s stars took home the two top acting awards, with co-stars Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle (beating out mum Rosemary Harris) winning Best Actor and Actress respectively. Well I schlepped a couple of blocks from the Mariott Marquis to Radio City, in my high heels. You could tell who was going to the affair, their sequins gave them away! I met J. on the corner, feeling like a prostitute waiting for a john. (not really, a little humor) Anyhow, we had to be in the theater early, as they were closing the doors at 7:30. Everyone was milling about, and they gave out special Playbills that listed all the nominees. It is about 1/3 inch thick. The show actually started at 7:30, we had to rush to our seats. And no intermission, so it was 3.5 hours in the seat. They gave some special awards before the PBS broadcast began. With binoculars glued to my face, oh yes, I had a good view of our man. You probably could tell, but he was sitting next to David Suchet. I was impressed because SD's seat was probably the most visible in the house. Right in front of one of the stairs to the stage. Was that by design? :-) Nathan and Rosie told some pretty "raunch" material during the commercial breaks. Brutal, making fun of actor's toupees, sexual preferences, etc. Although I laugh just as much as the next person, I was uncomfortable hearing it. I guess this was "insider" material. When TRT won best revival, we uttered a sigh of relief. No shutout. Relaxation. When JE won, WOW. There was a noticable hush when her name was announced, I think it caught everyone by surprise. I thought she looked beautiful. Her hair was indeed toned down, the harsh red color stripped out. Her dress photographed well on the huge projection screen, a beautiful pale seafoam green. Her back looked lovely. It looked better in person than it appears in the still photographs. Then I was more tense than ever. What if SD didn't win? JE was a darkhorse, but it was SD's tour de force. When his name was announced, I let out a scream. But I had to contain myself so as not to lose focus on him through the binoculars. Oh, I wish you gals were with me. I needed a group to stand up and hoot and hollar! He looked stunned. I don't think he expected to win. Believe me, he was much more relaxed and verbal when he accepted the Drama Desk Award. Before his award was announced, during the commercial break some of his cast members came up to him to wish him luck (Sarah Woodward (Charlotte), Nigel (Max), Charlotte Parry (Debbie), David Leaveaux (director)). He also went back and said some words to RH. JE was backstage at this time doing the interviews. Neither SD or JE came back to their seats after the win. It was funny to see the "seat warmers," the stand-ins who occupy the seats when the stars are not in them. Hey, a job I could do! :-) Big cheers from the audience for Karen Ziemba, apparently a favorite of the crowd and I understand a very nice woman. Big cheers for Aida. Big cheers for Kiss Me Kate. Big cheers for Eartha. And yes, I agree, Dotrice's acceptance speech was so sweet. No British backlash last night! I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot, but I need to roll back into bed. Maybe when I replay the broadcast I will remember some more details. It was a fun evening, the acoustics were wonderful. FYI, the only musical I saw was Kiss Me Kate, and it is a fabulous show. Do you recognize Brian Stokes Mitchell? He was the young doctor on that old show Trapper John, MD.

Thank you Donna....honestly, I thought I heard your hoop 'n hollar when SD's name was called out.We were there with you...sweetie. I couldn't look alone...I was on the phone with Karen..What a night!! Then I went on line with Tineke...who I know did an all-nighter... I saw "Aida" and Heather Hadley deserved the Tony and the show was really quite good. I bet Elton John and Tim Rice told them to stuff it when the show didnt'even get a nomination for Best Musical. Do you recognize Brian Stokes Mitchell? I saw him last year in "Ragtime" and he should have gotten it then too... Thanks again for being our rep at the Tony's!And congratulations!!

Great report, Donna! Evelyn said she heard you scream when Stephen's name was announced. ;-) Someone at VV commented on JE's arm. Is there some kind of mark on it or is this a photographic illusion:

She was burned as a child, I believe. It was v. noticeable at the Donmar. Also it was pointed out to me, her right eye doesn't open as wide as her left...and neither does her mum's. BTW have you ever seen such a look of pure love and admiration as the look on RH's face when her little girl won? In slow mo' it is v. moving. Didn't you love it when Jennifer said"What a welcome home..." Must go read the Winston-Salem newspaper.

Karen, I believe it is from an accident she had as a child, a burn or something, read it when P&P came out. She said then that she was very self conscious of it and always wore long sleeves and if you remember Lizzie did wear mainly long sleeved dresses, maybe they all were. Evelyn, I was up all night too, James thinks I am quite potty but he managed to sleep through it all!! Donna, thanks for your wonderful report, how I would have liked to scream if only once at The Oliviers. What did SW look like, could you see what she wore and was she with her partner/husband?

(Tineke) want me to stop? NO, don't stop! :-) OK, I shouldn't say this, but... Kathy Lee Gifford is not one of my favorites. Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD!

Mari, your comments "re Jennifer's attire etc", I couldn't agree with you more, you put it so well. Vitality is the word and she lights up the stage/screen somehow, I just loved her running in P&P and I don't know if you remember but at the Bafta Awards that was exactly how she ran off the stage.

Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD LOL! She really clung to him, I couldn't help but think, first Claudia and now yet another admirer;-) I've never heard of Kathy Lee Gifford though. Mari, I have to agree as well. When you read interviews, Jennifer does seem like a tomboy; climbing ropes, breaking swizzle-sticks. She uses arms and legs to explain things. I can't imagine other 'typical' stars squatting on the floor in their gala dresses. I think it's rather charming. And it shows that she cares about her co-stars.

Donna, you asked for more! From Tonys.org Stephen speaking to Tonys.org With Michael Blakemore

(Donna) Kathy Lee Gifford is not one of my favorites. Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD! LOL! I was thinking the same thing: how the heck did she end up being chosen to give out this award? Too bad it isn't like the Oscars, where the recipients from the previous year hand out the award -- then you'd be guaranteed to see SD again next year;-) Sounds like you had an amazing evening, Donna. Thanks for the report. Speaking of screaming, when they announced JE's name I swear I could hear Evelyn from halfway across the country;-) Just wondering -- will these Tony wins have any effect on the casting of the film version of TRT, d'ya think? Or is it too much to hope that they'd cast JE and SD?

Thank you all for such great reading and viewing. Great pics Tineke and Donna's on the spot tales. WOW everyone. I only have time to read these days and not really post but so happy for TRT.

What a great day here! Wonderful pictures too. Can someone find a picture of the director and post it? His close up at the Tony s knocked me off my seat. ;-D I hope Harvey will give the cast the opportunity to do the film. Didn't you love it when Jennifer said"What a welcome home..." I thought that was strange. Did she live here as an adult for a long period? She later made it a point to say she was an American. I wonder what is going on? Will she even want to return to England?

Moon, you wanted to see David Leveaux. Evelyn sent me a pic from the Donmar gala. Will be scanning it in very shortly.

Thanks, Karen, and Evelyn. I will be waiting.

I hope Harvey will give the cast the opportunity to do the film. Talking about the ole boy....when TRT received Best Reivival...did you see the smile on Harve's face? Ear to ear...(he's lost a little weight too). I think perhaps he knew about JE and SD awards. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ (evelyn)Didn't you love it when Jennifer said"What a welcome home..." (Moon)I thought that was strange. Did she live here as an adult for a long period? She later made it a point to say she was an American. I wonder what is going on? Will she even want to return to England? She was born in the US but educated on both sides of the pond.She considers herself British. I think she mean't"land of my birth".She could have "dual". But Actor's Equity considers her American...in the A&E interview she made a poit of saying that there had to be an arrangement to bring the other members of the cast over..."but not me, I'm American".First time I've heard her say that. No I don't think she will stay in the US...she was trained in London,..her home is London.Has a flat ...with her cat...in Islington!

And I think Nicole Kidman will play Annie in the film TRT. Maybe Tom Cruise will play Henry and then we could have an Eyes Wide Shut redux;-)

This is a good one....at the Tony Ball at the Marriott Marquis (Did you go Donna?)

The pic on the right is Eartha Kitt and Phil Seymour Hoffman from The Wild Party...who thought he was gonna win..hee, hee. Jenn and her mom have same eyes, cheeks and voice.

Just watched the end of the Late news and they did the papers for tomorrow, I am sure I saw a pic. of Jennifer top of the front page of The Times, will check it out tomorrow. What a great day, night everyone.

Hmmm, that looks like Ken Branagh to me with Eartha Kitt? I liked Jennifer's dress, I thought it just right for a young woman (Tony's is generally stuffier, but she was relaxed and beautiful). Didn't see SD win, turned to the Practice, however did like Nathan Lane and Rosie together. Really enjoyed the Contact dancing, reminiscent of Dirty Dancing. (Liked MB during the beginning of the announcing the noms for lead actress.) I hope Tineke is in bed sleeping;)

Here is the E. Telegraph coverage. I must agree with the opinion drawn form Contact. I found the dance number nothing new and rather boring. Swing on the other hand was fun. Broadway Britons steal show By Philip Delves Broughton Tony Awards Contact, Copenhagen win top Tonys - Theatre.com JENNIFER EHLE led the way for a night of triumph for Britain at the Tony Awards, Broadway's version of the Oscars. Best known for her appearance in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, she beat her mother, Rosemary Harris, to win the best actress award for her performance in the revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. The play, which transferred this year from London's Donmar Warehouse, also won the best revival accolade and the best actor award for Stephen Dillane. Accepting her award Ehle, 30, thanked her "beautiful, beautiful" mother, who was nominated for her role in Waiting in the Wings, for "teaching me to walk and to talk and to read, otherwise I wouldn't be here at all". Jennifer Ehle: beat her mother, Rosemary Harris, to win the best actress award The greatest applause was reserved for Michael Blakemore, 71, the Australian-born director, who scored an unprecedented double, winning best director awards for the musical, Kiss me Kate, and the play, Copenhagen. Copenhagen, a drama by Michael Frayn about a secret meeting between two physicists, also won the prize for best play, while Kiss me Kate swept the board with five Tonys, including best actor in a musical for Brian Stokes. Accepting his awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, Blakemore, who was nominated in 1990 for direction prizes in both play and musical categories, said: "All I can say is thank you America. And of course by America, I mean New York and by New York I mean Broadway." Of his double win he added: "It's like having twins: you get it all over at once. I'm delighted and amazed - really a little stunned. If I'd known I was going to win two Tonys, I think I would have retired." Since leaving Australia as a young man to attend London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Blakemore has become a pillar of British theatre. He was taken on at the National Theatre by Lord Olivier, but left in 1982 after falling out with Olivier's successor, Peter Hall. Other British winners were Roy Dotrice, who won best featured actor for A Moon For The Misbegotten, while Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice were awarded the accolade for best original score for the Disney production of Aida, which won a total of four titles at the ceremony. It is understood that the pair were so piqued over the production's failure to win a nomination in the best musical category that they declined to attend the event. The main controversy of the night was over Contact, which won four titles including the award for best musical despite having no singing and little dialogue. Its nomination provoked one member of the nominating committee to resign and an outcry from musicians' unions. Barry Humphries, best known as Dame Edna Everage, was awarded a special Tony for Dame Edna: The Royal Tour. Humphries prompted one of the funniest moments during the three-hour ceremony. Presenting best costume winner Martin Pakledinaz, of Kiss me Kate with his prize, Humphries - as Dame Edna - gave him a kiss leaving the lipstick-smeared Pakledinaz so taken aback he struggled with his speech.

This picture goes with it.

Congratulations, girls. Feels like you won that award right along with Jennifer and Dillane. Even though the dress was not flattering, JE looked absolutely radiant. Glowing...I can feel the heat just from her photos. Dillane looked dashing, a bit nervous accepting his award. Or was he just wondering who the hell Kathy Lee is? I agree with Karen. I loved that Contact number "Simply Irresistable". Sizzle. The Oscars could learn something about dance numbers if they persist in doing them in their telecasts. Donna, did you get a good look at Jennifer's seatmate? Know who he is?

I didn't see the broadcast, nor have I watched my tape. Was Mr. Ehle in evidence in the audience? He had a couple of lovely ladies to root for...what a dilemma :-D

Donna, did you get a good look at Jennifer's seatmate? Know who he is? I think Donna is probably getting some zzzzz's...Jennifer was sitting next to Nigel Lindsay who plays Max from the cast, her ex in the play.He's married...I think Donna saw him & his family at the baseball game. I know, I know...Jennifer can't seem to get a date. She probably came with her folks.She says she's "choosey".:-D

From backstage and the Tonys Supper Ball:

(Evelyn) I think Donna is probably getting some zzzzz's Not yet, she cried woefully... Here's a funny excerpt from an article in The Times (London): The Real Thing's third award of the evening, for Best Revival, ensures a boost for the production which, despite excellent reviews, has not been playing to full houses. It's also another victory for the Donmar Warehouse, where the production and cast originated. "I'm shaking," cried Anita Waxman, the co-producer, accepting the award. "Tom and David, I don't know where you are. But Sam , it's a treat to be up here!" Behind her, a Weinstein brother from fellow producers Miramax could be seen anxiously trying to manoeuvre himself into shot. Here's an accompanying picture. And how the heck do we describe Kathy Lee to the rest of the world? Now if Frank Gifford had his arms clinging around a babe, do you think she'd be having hissy fits? :-)

a Weinstein brother This journalist is woefully ignorant if she couldn't put a first name on this Weinstein brother and it didn't look like he was trying to get into the shot. He stayed far at the outside, as you will see on the tape. Now that I know where Stephen sat, I've gone back through the tape. Man, oh man, do you know how many times they showed the woman right behind him?! That Marin Maizel person!! Looked like Stephen was slouching a lot; you could sort of make him out as people were climbing up on stage. Also you could see Jennifer acknowledging him on her way up and then you see part of his head as she passed.

To Susan, who posted back a bit, there has been, I am glad to say quite a lot of media attention for The Tonys from Teletext & Ceefax, and the newspapers lots of coverage "A Great Night for the Brits on Broadway" etc, and quite a lot of pictures especially of SD & JE., and so there should be.

Also you could see Jennifer acknowledging him on her way up and then you see part of his head as she passed. The finest hour was when he got it too....I was thrilled for her, butwas afraid the Gabriel Byrne would get it. Unusual for two leads from the same show to get it....except for Tom Stoppards magic.But as someone who has seen the play mny times said...JE and SD were a team...they can't be discussed separately Their excellence was due to the fact that they had such terrific "synergy". "I think that they are an inseparable stage pair. SD shines this brilliantly because JE plays the opposite and vice versa." They are so natural on stage. I hope to see it again at the Theatre Museum Archives in London.They taped it last summer. And Lincoln Center Library was going to tape it for their archives last week.A classic.

re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-)

re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-) Yeah....and he even had a nice tux, Moon ;-)

Apparently I have a reputation to uphold (or so Evelyn tells me *winkie*);-) So I'll post another pic. From www.mrshowbiz.go.com

Thanks for the pic. Tineke. Evelyn - "synergy", is that the same as "chemistry" Evelyn, in which case I wholeheartedly agree.

Mother and Daughter: Friendly Competition Sitting side by side at the Tony Awards were two of the nominees for Best Leading Actress in a Play: Rosemary Harris of Noel Coward's Waiting in the Wings and Jennifer Ehle, who played Annie, the love of playwright Henry, in Stoppard's The Real Thing. Harris is Ehle's mother. As the Tony went to Ehle, mother and daughter threw arms around one another. Off-camera, the wise-cracking Nathan Lane, co-host for these Tonys with the equally clever Rosie O'Donnell, said that he'd heard about a new book coming out, Daughter, Dearest.

Grr, I really can't post long messages in here! "We didn't think either of us was going to win," Jennifer said later. "We thought we'd just go and have a wonderful time of it, remember it, and it would never happen again. We'd go and have a lovely dinner with my dad" � prolific North Carolina-based author John Ehle. "I wasn't praying for myself," Harris said, sitting next to husband Ehle at the gala Tony Awards ball. "I was praying for Jennifer. I thought Stephen Dillane might get it, and I didn't think lightning would strike twice, but it did." Up in the press room, high over the Music Hall, Ehle noted that she and her mother were both appearing, in a split role, in the upcoming Istvan Szabo film, Sunshine, whose story spans several generations. Then, she caught that the Best Actor award was going to Dillane and gasped, "Oh my God!" She crouched, clasping her knees, to hear him declare, "It turned out to be a very good night for us."

Thanks Tineke...you are indeed upholding your reputation as the best photo sleuth... Cute pic of both of them.. Up in the press room, high over the Music Hall,... Did you see the size of that room on tony.org?Huge...I bet they had over 100 journalists. I was reminded of "Hostages" when John Mc Carthy(CF) descended from the plane coming back to UK and Ciran Hines said: "Welcome to the circus, John" Donna said they never came back to their seats....went straight to "the circus"

There's a videoclip of the Tonys from the BBC There's nothing about Stephen, but it does show JE being announced as winner and hugging her parents. I hope this link works Broadway's Biggest Night of the Year

and apparently it doesn't work! http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/775000/video/_778018_tombrook08_jun05_vi.ram

Stephen missing again, (known as the Colin Syndrome), great picure of Jennifer in the Daily Mail, luminuous, with tears in her eyes, "Move over Mum, it's my turn for a Tony" from Michael Coveney in NY, mentions all the Brit. winners but no SD, come on Michael you can do better than that, how could he forget SD, he was awesome! The Times not only covered it in the Main section, but also in Section 2 (the online version), different pictures and different article and this time a lot of SD, mentioned his reviews being the best of the season. Great coverage. I think they will ble a little better known now.

Pictures from the TRT and 3DOR galas and other Donmar mailings supplied by Evelyn: http://www.spring.net/karenr/general/donmar/galas.html

re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-) (Evelyn), Yeah....and he even had a nice tux, Moon ;-) I noticed GBs sour puss the minute the announced Jennifer. At that point he knew it would go to SD. In fact SD winning was the only sure thing for me, as I had predicted the night before. :-) GB gets high marks for wearing the tux. He is NY savvy. Evelyn, did they tape 3DOR for the Theatre Museum Archives in London? I might go see it. :-) Thanks for the pictures, Tineke!

I will repeat myself, David Leveareux is v.v.good looking. And that is not even a good picture of him! What will he do next? Does anyone know?

I believe David is already in rehearsals for a play he is directing on Broadway in the fall, Desire Under the Elms.

Thanks, Donna! Is he British? He has a french last name but that is not telling. Do you know who is in the play? What has he done before?

Hi Moon. Yes, I believe he is British. I don't know who is in the play, but I have read about it opening in October. I believe he directed Zoe Wannamaker in Elektra last year :-)

I just pulled out the Playbill. He also directed Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson in Anna Christie. He has a lot of credits to his name, and is an associate director of the Donmar. He has directed at the RSC and RNT. Those Donmar boys, they grow em young, talented, and cute :-)

Young is right! How old is he? He certainly has an outstanding resume. Thanks again, Donna!

I give up on Reporters, you sometimes wonder if they know anything at all about what they are writing, for instance in The Independent today, nice picture of Jennifer and Michael Blakemore, with the caption underneath "JE, left, won the Best Actress for her role in "TRT" by Michael Blackmore, right". I ask you even someone who doesn't go to the theatre all that much knows TS wrote TRT, don't they !! (Also I wouldn't have thought it was necessary to put "left" and "right", I would have thought that that at least was obvious. First they miss SD out now they are giving credit to Michael Blakemore for TRT!! Still overall very good coverage of the Awards, mustn't complain.

LOl...just had an email from the A&E producer.... "Due to the overwhelming response, we will reshow the Jennifer Ehle Interview on Breakfast with the Arts on July 23" Aw Moon....you'll be away :-( ~~~~ Honestly, guys I only wrote one thank you. ~~~~~~ Also I put in a plug for a reshowing of P&P (the cast get residuals!) and he said there is a new person in programing...I requested another Marathon P&P Sunday on Thanksgiving weekend..."an A&E tradition"(they've done it twice....so he could not confirm it. I shall find out who it is and we can bombard her/him.

Slightly OT but very current mentions JE winning Best Actress for TRT - Good review for Sunshine and particularly for RH at http://www.newsday.com/ap/entertainment/ap253htm

The page seems to have disappeared but is really is still there, go to Entertainment and scroll down the headlines.

Someone posted this at VV Another link to a video clip of the Tonys (even though it seems more like a combination of stills and video). This time Stephen is shown. Go to http://http://www.necn.com/ then entertainment

Before I forget again, just wanted to say thanks to eveyone for this fun board-- Karen for starting it up and all of you for sharing in the excitement of these past weeks. (And we're keeping it going, right?) Moon, DL *is* kinda cute, but I didn't think the unmade bed was your type!:-) Ann, I'm so glad to hear that the awards have gotten lots of coverage in your press. The home crowd can be very, very proud of these folks. Donna, thanks for the first-hand account; believe me, you were the first person I thought of when they called SD's name! I also thought he was a bit stunned, but handled himself very nicely. BTW, that was his wife next to him, right? The lady in the Nimi-like head wrap. Suchet was sitting right in front of him, I believe. I have a feeling that Rosie will definitely have JE and SD on her show, as soon as it can be arranged. Has anyone been in touch with the show? If not, I'm sure I can find a number and inquire. Maybe Regis & Kathie Lee also. It will be interesting to see what JE and SD decide to do next--any thoughts? I think they've earned a nice break for themselves after this run is over. Between TRT and Summerfolk, JE has been on the stage for the better part of a year now, right? Maybe she'll want to do a film next; she should have lots of offers to weed through, and she should get some good ones. Very versatile, can do comedy, drama, the classics, period, contemporary. A happy dilemma!

I was also thinking it would be nice to continue this topic so that we can see where they both go from here but perhaps change it to SD & JE. I asgree it has been fun especially as the news about CF is slow at the moment.

I forgot to say that according to The NY Daily News, the winning Shows have reported improved ticket sales since the Awards on Sunday and not before time as according to Theatercom TRT's capacity fell to under 50% for the week ended 4th June and their takings were well down on the previous week. From yesterday's NY Daily News "The other Tony Winners, KMK and TRT and Copenhagen also have good news. Each reported that ticket sales had gone up dramatically, KMK & TRT doubled their business, C qauadrupled it." (Ann still keeping her fingers crossed that they don't close early).

(Mari) that was his wife next to him, right? He's not married. And we're keeping it going, right? I should hope so! We still have to drool over Anna Karenina :-) He's got 3 movies released in the UK that have yet to make it to our shores. AK, Ordinary Decent Criminal, and The Darkest Light. Get out your bibs ladies! I've been checking out AK. He is always wearing either a uniform, tails, or a very nice bathrobe (a la Darcy). Just like SIL, how can she leave Karenin for Vronsky (Wessex for Will)? By the way, Doug Henshall is in AK and he is very good. If you saw Angels and Insects, he was the odious brother in that one (shudder). But here, he plays the very likable Lenin.

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Doug Henshall plays Levin (not Lenin). Geesh, I haven't had my morning coffee yet :-)

Moon, DL *is* kinda cute, but I didn't think the unmade bed was your type!:-) Mari, first impressions my dear, I thought he looked great at the Tonys. He was wearing a tux. :-D Now do not tease me with "unmade bed" and DL on the same sentence. ;-)))

No one is folding up this topic...and if other topics are desired, you only need to say. Some of us also saw Douglas Henshall in that classic This Year's Love. More recently I saw him in Orphans (liked him in that one); rent it if it comes out on video. Am looking forward to seeing AK; might even rent the other versions like you did Donna. Moon: you are v.v. bad ;-)