The 67th annual primetime Emmy Awards were held on Sunday, September 20 this year and while the show is a night to celebrate television; many Broadway fans were intrigued from the start. Not only did the show make a bizarre Les Miserables send-up for the hosts, but a slew of notable Broadway alums, such as Viola Davis and Uza Aduba, took home Emmys as well.
The biggest win of the night went to Tony winner and Oscar nominee Viola Davis, who won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ABC's How to Get Away with Murder. Davis made history as the first African American actress to win the award. Many other stars are making firsts this year, including when Misty Copeland became the first African American prima Ballerina for the American Ballet. Viola Davis, who won her Tony for her performance in Fences in 2010, will also star alongside the Tony winning Denzel Washington in the HBO adaptation of August Wilson's Fences.
Another Emmy win went to Uzo Aduba, most known for her performance as Crazy Eyes in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Aduba actually received her Emmy for Outstand Guest Actress in a Comedy series last year for that role and won again this year for the same role, but this time was promoted to the Supporting Actress in a Drama series category. She made her Broadway debut in 2007 in the play Coram Boy and recently starred in the ensemble of the revival of Godspell. Orange is New Black has some stars coming to the Great White Way this year too, including Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple. The appearance of Brooks and lead Jennifer Hudson have helped raise demand for The Color Purple tickets on the secondary market.
According to TiqIQ, the current secondary market average price for the show, which starts in November, is $216.01. While some castmates take their turn on the stage, it is unknown when, or if, Aduba will make her return.
Other notable Tony winners who took home awards included Frances McDormand (Awake and Sing! and Good People) for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. The HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge took home many awards that night as well, including the playwright and director Jane Anderson. Other wins came from Tony nominee Allison Janney, who won for the second consecutive year for her supporting role in CBS comedy Mom. Jeffrey Tambor, who recently starred in La Cage aux Folles in 2011, took the win for this fabulous leading role performance in Transparent, which was also a huge winner that night.
