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Tony Awards winners “The Outsiders,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” and “Stereophonic”

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Tony Awards winners “The Outsiders,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” and “Stereophonic”

NEW YORK, The highly anticipated Tony Award for best musical went to “The Outsiders,” a musical based on S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age novel, on Sunday. Other winners included a well-received revival of a Stephen Sondheim classic and a story about a 1970s rock band.

For the third consecutive year, Tony-nominated and Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose hosted the inaugural ceremony at Lincoln Centre in New York City. In addition to choreographing the seductive song-and-dance routine that started the programme, DeBose is producing this year.

Danya Taymor defeated Maria Friedman, the favourite actor from “Merrily We Roll Along,” to win the director’s chair for a musical version of “The Outsiders.”

The season’s top story has been “Merrily We Roll Along,” the best revival of a musical award winner that has delighted both critics and audiences with a reimagining of Sondheim’s most well-known flop. The original Broadway run of the show ended after 52 previews and 16 performances in 1981.

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The Tony Awards went to “Stereophonic” for best play and Daniel Aukin for best directing. With original music written by Will Butler, formerly of Arcade Fire, and set in the 1970s, David Adjmi’s drama about a rock band recording an album broke the record for most Tony Award nominations ever for a play.

The play “Appropriate,” written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, won best revival of a play. It tells the tale of three adult siblings who, following their father’s death, reunite at their family home only to learn disturbing family secrets.

Maleah Joi Moon won best lead actress in a musical for her performance in “Hell’s Kitchen,” while Jonathan Groff won best lead actor in a musical for “Merrily We Roll Along.”

With an all-female cast, Shaina Taub’s musical “Suffs,” which tells the tale of the suffragette struggle, received best score and best book of a musical.

Best lead actor in a play went to “Succession” actor Jeremy Strong for his performance in Henrik Ibsen’s play “Enemy of the People,” while best featured actor in a musical went to Daniel Radcliffe—well known for his lead in the Harry Potter film series—for “Merrily We Roll Along.”

Best featured actor in a play went to Will Brill, who defeated two other performers in his production of “Stereophonic,” while Sarah Paulson received best lead actress in a play for “Appropriate.”

Kecia Lewis, who debuted on Broadway forty years ago in “Dreamgirls,” received her first nomination this season. Her performance as the mentor who plays the piano in “Hell’s Kitchen” earned her the best featured actress prize in a musical.

Best featured actress in a play, Kara Young, who is the first Black actor, male or female, to receive three consecutive Tony nominations, took up the prize for her performance in “Purlie Victorious.”

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For the dance musical “Illinoise,” which used Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 concept album “Illinois,” Justin Peck was awarded the Tony Award for outstanding choreography.

Dancers honoured Broadway icon Chita Rivera, who passed away in January at the age of 91, including DeBose, who reprised her Oscar-winning performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s cinematic adaptation of “West Side Story.”

The majority of the Tony Awards were given out in technical categories during a pre-show event that was aired on Pluto TV, a free channel, and was hosted by actors Julianne Hough and Utkarsh Ambudkar.

The pre-show featured the Isabelle Stevenson Award, given to Billy Porter in recognition of his work as an activist and spokesman for the LGBTQ communities, and the best regional theatre award, given to Philadelphia’s Wilma Theatre.

For their career achievements in theatre, writer, director, and producer George C. Wolfe and director Jack O’Brien were each awarded the 2024 Special Tony Award.

Additionally, Alex Edelman for his solo production “Just For Us,” Abe Jacob for his sound design, and Nikiya Mathis for her wig design in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” were given Special Tony Awards.

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Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

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Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

The world watched in disbelief as Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic champion turned global media personality, appeared on social media from a bomb shelter in Israel. Clutching a glass of wine, her video was both surreal and deeply human, capturing a strange blend of calmness and fear as airstrikes echoed above.

Jenner had traveled to Israel for a speaking engagement and wellness summit. The trip, meant to focus on self-discovery and global connection, took an unexpected turn as tensions in the region escalated. Within hours of her arrival in Tel Aviv, the air raid sirens began blaring. Israeli cities braced for potential attacks, and all foreign visitors were advised to seek shelter.

She was rushed by her team to a fortified bomb shelter inside her hotel, a space where several other international guests also gathered. The cemented underground room had minimal lighting, emergency supplies, and a haunting silence broken only by the distant thuds of intercepted rockets.

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In that moment, Caitlyn chose to document the situation—not to sensationalize it, but to remind the world that even celebrities are not immune to war. She raised her glass of Merlot and softly said to the camera, “We’re okay, for now. But pray for us. This is very real.”

The video instantly went viral. The internet reacted with a mix of empathy, disbelief, and critique. Some applauded her for staying composed and using her platform to raise awareness. Others questioned the optics—wine in a war zone, they argued, might seem out of touch. But most agreed on one thing: this wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a raw moment of a person caught off guard by war.

Outside, the Iron Dome system of Israel roared to life, intercepting rockets mid-air. The bomb shelter would shake slightly each time a missile was taken down. Caitlyn later shared how that sound felt—“like thunder wrapped in relief.”

Her family in the U.S., including daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, shared their support on social media, asking fans to pray not just for Caitlyn but for all those affected by the conflict. Kris Jenner reportedly stayed in constant contact with Israeli officials and the U.S. embassy to ensure her daughter’s safety.

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What made this event even more gripping was Caitlyn’s tone throughout her updates. She wasn’t panicked. She was composed. Even as distant blasts echoed through the concrete walls, she smiled gently and whispered, “We have to believe peace will come.”

Celebrities like Gal Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, showed support and emphasized how civilians on both sides are the ones who suffer most. Public figures including politicians, diplomats, and human rights activists weighed in, turning Caitlyn’s clip into a symbol of global vulnerability.

Back in the U.S., late-night hosts and news commentators debated the moment. Was it a modern-day war diary? Was it tone-deaf privilege? Or was it simply human—a celebrity stripped of luxury, facing a fear no fame could shield her from?

Amid the criticism, one thing was clear: Caitlyn’s update gave millions a personal look into what it’s like to be stuck in the crossfire of geopolitical chaos. Her message was universal—war is real, and no one is truly safe.

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She later thanked Israeli defense personnel for their swift actions and praised the people she was sheltered with for their kindness. “There was no panic. Just humanity,” she wrote in another post.

As things began to settle, Caitlyn was finally escorted to Ben Gurion Airport under tight security. She flew back to Los Angeles and appeared on major media outlets to discuss her harrowing experience.

During a heartfelt interview, she said, “This isn’t about politics. This is about people. The children I saw in shelters. The elderly woman holding my hand. The hope in the eyes of the hotel staff, despite the fear. It changes you.”

In a time when conflict often feels distant or abstract, Caitlyn Jenner’s first-hand account pierced through the noise. It reminded the world that bombs don’t differentiate between the famous and the forgotten.

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Her final message from the airport lounge, before leaving Israeli soil, was simple: “I’ll carry these memories forever. Pray for the region. Pray for peace. We all deserve it.”

Despite her celebrity status, Caitlyn found herself reduced to the same level of vulnerability as everyone else in that shelter. The walls that separated the public from the private life of a global icon came crashing down, both literally and symbolically.

At one point during the shelter-in-place order, someone recognized her and gently approached, not for a selfie, but simply to ask, “Is this your first time in Israel?” Caitlyn smiled and nodded. The conversation turned from fame to fear, and from politics to prayer.

She later said it was one of the most authentic conversations she’d had in years—no red carpet, no cameras, just two people sharing a moment in crisis.

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The emotional toll of the night would weigh on her. In her reflection shared the next day, Caitlyn wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “When you hear bombs falling and realize no amount of wealth can protect you from it—only faith, and the people beside you, matter.”

As missiles were intercepted above ground, the shelter saw shared snacks, whispered reassurances, and even quiet laughter. One Israeli teenager started playing soft music from their phone—Caitlyn remembered the melody was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. It brought some in the room to tears.

The glass of wine she held was not about luxury—it became a symbol. “It was a reminder that life continues, even under threat. We hold on to small rituals to feel human,” she explained later.

Media coverage around the world exploded. Her moment, intended to show resilience, was misinterpreted by some as performative. However, defenders of Jenner pointed out that she never intended it to be a political statement—it was an unfiltered human response to a terrifying situation.

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Israeli news networks featured her brief clips, and Hebrew-language newspapers highlighted her gratitude toward the IDF and the civilians she met. Some Israeli citizens thanked her for not fleeing immediately like many foreign visitors had.

Caitlyn’s perspective gave international audiences a glimpse into daily life in conflict zones—where war isn’t just explosions, but the long silences in between, filled with fear, hope, and quiet strength.

Her celebrity status amplified the story, but the emotions she captured resonated with anyone who has ever faced uncertainty. Parents hiding with their children. Travelers stuck abroad. Locals adjusting to fear as a way of life.

Back home, her updates sparked broader conversations about how the media portrays war—often through filtered lenses. But in Caitlyn’s case, it was raw, unpolished, and emotionally honest.

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The experience transformed her. She later expressed that despite the horror, she felt deeply connected to those around her. “You learn more about yourself in a bomb shelter than at a luxury spa,” she quipped with characteristic humor.

She also pledged to raise awareness for organizations helping displaced families and war-affected children in both Israel and Gaza. “No child should hear what I heard that night. Or live in shelters like that for weeks,” she said.

Though she was safely home days later, the psychological aftershocks lingered. She admitted she now jumps at sudden loud noises and finds herself thinking about those who remain in conflict zones, day after day.

Her story drew attention not just because it involved a public figure, but because it transcended fame. It was a portrait of shared humanity in crisis.

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Global news agencies continued to dissect the moment for days. Some called it “a turning point in how we perceive war.” Others debated whether the wine glass dulled the seriousness of the situation or emphasized the absurdity of war.

In her final Instagram post from that trip, she included a picture of the bunker wall—where someone had drawn a peace sign using lipstick. The caption read simply: “Hope never hides.”

As the media attention faded, Caitlyn returned to her advocacy work and television appearances. But she continued to speak in private events and podcasts about the need to support civilians in conflict zones—not just with policy, but with empathy.

She’s now reportedly working on a short documentary that will feature her footage and interviews with the people she met during the ordeal. Proceeds are expected to go to humanitarian aid.

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From fame to fear, from red carpets to concrete shelters, Caitlyn Jenner’s experience in Israel reminded the world that war respects no boundaries—but neither does compassion.

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