This Is What the 1996 Tony Awards Looked Like
'Rent' won big and Liza Minnelli sparkled
By Madeline Boardman June 08, 2016 at 12:35 PM EDT
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The 1996 Tony Awards
The 1996 Tony Awards
Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
On June 2, 1996, stars descended on New York City's Majestic Theatre for the 50th Annual Tony Awards. The night was led by Best Actress in a Musical Winner Donna Murphy (The King and I), Best Actor in a Musical Winner Nathan Lane (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Best Actress in a Play Winner Zoe Caldwell (Master Class), and Best Actor in a Play winner George Grizzard (A Delicate Balance). With this year's ceremony fast approaching, see photos from over two decades prior, ahead.
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Presenter Matthew Broderick and Then-Girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker
Presenter Matthew Broderick and Then-Girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker
Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
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Performer and Presenter Liza Minnelli
Performer and Presenter Liza Minnelli
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Presenter John Rubinstein and Bebe Neuwirth
Presenter John Rubinstein and Bebe Neuwirth
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Presenter Diahann Carroll
Presenter Diahann Carroll
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Presenter Jane Seymour
Presenter Jane Seymour
Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
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Joan Allen
Joan Allen
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Presenter Christine Baranski and Sigourney Weaver
Presenter Christine Baranski and Sigourney Weaver
Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
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Presenter Gregory Hines and Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk)
Presenter Gregory Hines and Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk)
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Best Featured Actress in a Play Winner Audra McDonald (Master Class)
Best Featured Actress in a Play Winner Audra McDonald (Master Class)
Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
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Presenter and performer Bernadette Peters and Then-Husband Michael Wittenberg
Presenter and performer Bernadette Peters and Then-Husband Michael Wittenberg
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Liza Minnelli, Savion Glover, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Jane Seymour
Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Liza Minnelli, Savion Glover, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Jane Seymour
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Presenters Eli Wallach and Hume Cronyn
Presenters Eli Wallach and Hume Cronyn
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) and Julie Fishe
Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) and Julie Fishe
Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
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Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Leslie Uggams
Leslie Uggams
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Barnard Hughes
Barnard Hughes
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Best Featured Actor in a Musical Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent)
Best Featured Actor in a Musical Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent)
Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage
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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Lou Diamond Phillips (The King and I) and Then-Wife Kelly Phillips
Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Lou Diamond Phillips (The King and I) and Then-Wife Kelly Phillips
Credit: Jon Levy/AFP/Getty Images
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