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.
https://youtu.be/qb7RjDtzB64
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
