We first met Ali when she appeared on The Glee Project, trying to win a role on Ryan Murphy’s musical TV series. Now Ali is going to be forever known as the first person to use a wheelchair for mobility to be nominated for and to win a Tony.
From YouTube/CBS:
Winning for her portrayal of Ado Annie in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Oklahoma! Ali Stroker celebrates representation with an inspiring message during the acceptance speech for her historic win.
Ali has been using a chair since the age of 2, after a car accident left her paralyzed from the chest down.
During the awards telecast on CBS, The Cast Of Oklahoma! Performs “I Cain’t Say No/ Oklahoma” , including Ali’s amazing solo.
And who were the other winners?
And the Tony winners are…
Best Musical: Hadestown
Best Play: The Ferryman
Best Revival of a Musical: Oklahoma!
Best Revival of a Play: The Boys in the Band
Best Leading Actor in a Play: Bryan Cranston, Network
Best Leading Actress in a Play: Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Santino Fontana, Tootsie
Best Leading Actress in a Musical: Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Bertie Carvel, Ink
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: André De Shields, Hadestown
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ali Stroker, Oklahoma!
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Rach
Best Original Score: Hadestown, music and lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell
Best Direction of a Play: Sam Mendes, The Ferryman
Best Direction of a Musical: Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown
