It was anyone's guess which production was going to take home the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical. To the lead producers of The Outsiders, winning the night's buzziest award wasn't a victory for them, it was one for any young person who loves theatre.
"We're standing here today because we were drawn into seeing theatre at a very young age," says Hank Unger, one of the producers of The Araca Group, the lead producers on The Outsiders. He said that he's proudest of producing a show that has amassed a massive young fan following: "It means the world. I think that is the future of the theatre world, all those young people coming to see it."
The Araca Group is made up of Unger, Mike Rego, and Matthew Rego. This is their sixth Tony win, and they're currently also represented on Broadway with The Wiz. See their Tony Award reactions in the video above, in an interview with Playbill's Jeffrey Vizcaíno.
For more about the Tony Awards, visit Playbill.com/Tonys.
Linda Cho
Dede Ayite
Dede Ayite
Cody Spencer
Shaina Taub
George C. Wolfe
Justin Peck
Tom Scutt
Jane Cox
David Zinn
Ryan Rumery
Dr. Jason Kindt
Nikiya Mathis
Nikiya Mathis
Billy Porter
Billy Porter
Alex Edelman
Alex Edelman
Daniel Radcliffe
Kecia Lewis
Jeremy Strong
Jeremy Strong
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Members of Stereophonic
Daniel Aukin
Will Brill
David Adjmi
Kara Young
Kara Young
Sarah Paulson
Jonathan Groff and Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson and Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff
Sarah Paulson and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
The Outsiders producers Hank Unger, Michael Rego, and Matthew Rego
Patrick Catullo, David Babani, and Sonia Friedman
Maleah Joi Moon
Maleah Joi Moon
Maleah Joi Moon