History was made at the 76th Tony Awards when J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell became the first non-binary actors to win for their performances. Ghee won Best Lead Actor in a Musical for their performance in Some Like It Hot, portraying a Chicago musician disguised as a woman. They declared, "For every trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming human, who was ever told you couldn’t be seen - This is for you." Newell won Best-Featured Actor in a Musical for Shucked, playing an independent whiskey distiller amidst strict Puritans in the American heartland. "Thank you for seeing me Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, black little baby from Massachusetts" - Alex Newell 26 Tony Awards were awarded throughout the evening for a season of 40 new Broadway productions, among 15 musicals and 24 plays. In support of the writers’ strike, host Ariana Debose opened a blank script backstage to open the ceremony before leaping on stage. Broadway folk displayed their solidarity with the striking writers this year by wearing pins on the red carpet and on stage.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers: Friday, Aug. 4, 7:30 p.m., Oktoberfest Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
Alex Meixner
The Alex Meixner Band: Friday, Aug. 4, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 5, 7-10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 6, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Oktoberfest Stage. Meixner will also perform during the grand finale Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. on the Oktoberfest Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
The Gebel Girls
The Gebel Girls: Aug. 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m., The Backyard Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
Ed Wagner Brass Band
Ed Wagner Brass Band: Aug. 6, 1-2:30 p.m., Biergarten Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
Jenny Hundt
Jenny Hundt: Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Backyard Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
JFK the Band
JFK the Band: Aug. 5, 1:30-4 p.m., The Backyard Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
Copper Box
Copper Box: Aug. 5, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Oktoberfest Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
The Happy Players
The Happy Players: Aug. 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; and Aug. 6, 3:30 p.m., Biergarten Stage. The Happy Players will also join Alex Meixner for the grand finale Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. on the Oktoberfest Stage.
Dirndolls
Dirndolls: Aug. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Biergarten Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
Petty Union
Petty Union: Aug. 5, 4:30-7:30 p.m., The Backyard Stage.
Submitted, Regional News
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