Musical ‘Drood’ Wins 5 Tonys; ‘Rappaport’ Best Play

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” was named best musical and the Herb Gardner comedy, “I’m Not Rappaport,” was a surprise winner for best play as Broadway celebrated the 1985-86 theater season at the 40th annual Tony Awards on Sunday night.

“I’m Not Rappaport” captured three awards, including a best-actor prize for its star, Judd Hirsch. Hirsch called his co-star, Cleavon Little, on stage to accept the award with him.

‘Feel Very Lonely’

“I feel very lonely out here because you can’t do a play like this without the other guy,” Hirsch said, referring to Little, who was not nominated. In the play, the two men portray senior citizens who meet every day on a bench in Central Park.

Lily Tomlin won the best-actress award for her one-woman show, “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” written by Jane Wagner. In her acceptance speech, Tomlin thanked a long list of people connected with the show, including the head usher.

“I’m going to get them all in because I live with them every night,” she said.

“Drood,” a music hall version of Charles Dickens’ last unfinished novel, was the big winner, capturing five awards, including two for its author, pop song writer Rupert Holmes.

“I hope my home videotape recorder is working right now,” said Holmes as he savored his double victory--for best score and best book.

Best Musical Direction

“Drood” also won an award for best director-musical, Wilford Leach, but “Sweet Charity” unexpectedly took the featured performance awards for Bebe Neuwirth as a brassy dance hall hostess and Michael Rupert as Charity’s shy boyfriend.

The top acting awards in musicals went to George Rose for “Edwin Drood” and Bernadette Peters for “Song & Dance,” two popular choices that had the black-tie audience cheering.

“The House of Blue Leaves” won both featured acting awards. John Mahoney was picked for his portrayal of a frustrated songwriter, while Swoosie Kurtz won for her portrayal as Mahoney’s demented wife. Jerry Zaks also won as director of a play for “The House of Blue Leaves.”

Veteran Bob Fosse, who has already won eight Tonys, grabbed a ninth for the choreography in “Big Deal.”

The production awards were split among three shows. The winners were: sets, Tony Walton for “The House of Blue Leaves;” costumes, Patricia Zipprodt for “Sweet Charity,” and lighting, Pat Collins for “I’m Not Rappaport.”

The final tally was: “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” five awards; “The House of Blue Leaves,” four; “Sweet Charity,” four; “I’m Not Rappaport,” three; “Song & Dance,” one; “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” one, and “Big Deal,” one.