by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
Ruthie Ann Miles was awarded best featured actress in a musical for her performance as Lady Thiang in the Broadway revival of The King and I at the 69th Tony Awards last night.
The Lincoln Center Theater production marks the Miles’ Broadway debut. Her Off-Broadway credits include Avenue Q, Sweeney Todd, Annie and Here Lies Love, for which she earned the Theatre World Award and Lucille Lortel Award for her role as Imelda Marcos.
“Please recycle,” Miles told the audience as she began reading her acceptance speech off her smartphone.
“I am profoundly grateful for everything this recognition has meant already and for this honor,” she continued in a trembling, emotional voice. “I share this with four other incredible women nominated tonight. You are incredible. Your work is unforgettable, and these productions have made this all winners.”
You can watch Miles’ full speech below:
The King and I took home four trophies at the 69th Tony Awards, including best musical revival and best costume design of a musical. Kelli O’Hara, who plays Anna Leonowens in the Rodgers and Hammerstein revival, was also awarded a Tony for best leading actress in a musical.
Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, who is known best for his films Inception, The Last Samurai and Memoirs of a Geisha, was nominated for a Tony for his starring role as The King, but the honor was awarded to Michael Cerveris for his performance in Fun Home.
You can view the entire list of the 2015 Tony Awards winners here.
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