manages to eliminate the eight heirs

A Gentleman's Guide... is about a poor man who manages to eliminate the eight heirs ahead of him for a title.

Darko Tresnjak was honoured as best director, while the production won best musical, against stiff competition from Disney's Aladdin and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Jessie Mueller was named best actress for her title role in the latter.

Mark Rylance won his third Tony for playing the countess Olivia in Twelfth Night.

"It means a lot to me to be appreciated for my Shakespeare work, " he told the BBC. "I've loved him since I first came across the plays."hong kong événements photos

Cranston had been the favourite to win his category

It was a first win for British actress Sophie Okonedo

Kenny Leon won his first Tony for directing the revival of A Raisin in the Sun, and one of the play's stars, Sophie Okonedo, was named best featured actress in a play.

She thanked producer Scott Rudin for believing that a "Jewish, Nigerian Brit" could play the iconic role of Ruth Younger mask house.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, about a glam rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer, saw How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris win his first Tony - best actor in a musical.

Hugh Jackman hosted the ceremony at New York's Radio City Music Hall for the fourth time.

The show included performances by Tony nominee Idina Menzel, Gladys Knight and Sting, who performed a song from his upcoming Broadway debut musical, The Last Ship.

Tony voters include voting members of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing mask house.