Of the four award shows that comprise the EGOT, The Tony Awards are sometimes thought to be the least connected to the contemporary pop music scene. But there have been many exceptions to that stereotypical view over the years, including these 16 artists who have both received Tony Awards (either competitive or honorary awards) and made the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Tonys have been presented annually since 1947 and have aired on national television every year since 1967. This year’s Tonys are set for Sunday June 16. The program, always one of the best and most entertaining awards shows, will air live on both coasts from 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/5:00-8:00 p.m. PT on CBS. Ariana DeBose is hosting for the third year in a row.
Here’s a little Broadway lore to get you in the mood for this year’s show. Three recordings of songs from Broadway musicals have topped the Billboard Hot 100 – Louis Armstrong’s rendition of the rousing title song from Hello, Dolly!, The 5th Dimension’s sleek coupling of a pair of hippie anthems, “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” from Hair and Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings,” which interpolates Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music.
“Hello, Dolly!” is also one of three songs from Broadway musicals to win the Grammy for song of the year, along with “What Kind of Fool Am I” from Stop the World – I Want to Get Off and “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music.
Here’s another indication of the potency of Broadway musicals: The cast album from Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s masterwork Hamilton: An American Musical has been a fixture on the Billboard 200 for 455 weeks. It’s closing in on the record long held by Lerner & Loewe’s splendid My Fair Lady (480 weeks) as the longest-charting cast album in history.
Here’s a list of 16 Tony winners who have also landed top 10 hits on the Hot 100. Artists who have won Tonys in competitive categories are listed first, followed by those who have won honorary awards.
