NEW YORK — “Dear Evan Hansen,” the touching, heartfelt musical about young outsiders, has won the biggest theater popularity contest — winning the best new musical trophy at the Tony Awards.
The show centers on a profoundly lonely 17-year-old who fabricates a prior friendship with a classmate who has just committed suicide. The story charts his acceptance into the young man’s grieving family and the heartbreaking truths that emerge as the deception becomes more elaborate, sped along by social media.
The acclaimed musical’s story is by Steven Levenson, with songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (recent Oscar winners for “City of Stars” from the movie “La La Land”). It stars Ben Platt.
“Dear Evan Hansen” beat out “Come From Away,” ″Groundhog Day the Musical” and “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.”
The musical won six Tonys, the most of any show.
“Hello, Dolly!” won the award for best revival of a musical.
The Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Select list of winners:
Best Musical: “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Best Play: “Oslo.”
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics): “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Best Revival of a Play: “August Wilson’s Jitney.”
Best Revival of a Musical: “Hello, Dolly!”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Kevin Kline, “Present Laughter.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf, “A Doll’s House, Part 2.”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Michael Aronov, “Oslo.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Cynthia Nixon, “Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes.”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Platt, “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Bette Midler, “Hello, Dolly!”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Gavin Creel, “Hello, Dolly!”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Rachel Bay Jones, “Dear Evan Hansen.”