Audra McDonald wins record sixth Tony Award

US actress Audra McDonald has won a record sixth Tony award, at a star-studded ceremony in New York.McDonald cried as she accepted the best dramatic actress award for her role as jazz singer Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.Her latest win matched the record of late actress Julie Harris, who also won six Tonys, including a special lifetime achievement award.Bryan Cranston won best dramatic actor for his Broadway debut in All the Way.The Breaking Bad star played US President Lyndon B Johnson in the production, which was also named best play.McDonald is the first person to win a Tony in each of the four acting categories.In a tearful acceptance speech, she said: "I want to thank all the shoulders of the strong and brave and courageous women that I am standing on," she said."And most of all Billie Holiday. You deserve so much more than you were given when you were on this earth."Cranston alluded to his role as a drug dealer in hit TV drama Breaking Bad in his speech: "When you can effect emotional change in the audience it's like a powerful drug. It's as strong as blue crystal meth."Satire A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder tied with rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch for the most awards, each winning four Tonys.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."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.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.(BBC)Bakudaily.az