The 2013 Tony Awards were jam-packed with stunning live performances—not only from Tony-nominated musicals like Kinky Boots and Matilda, but long-running hits like Once and The Phantom of the Opera. Host Neil Patrick Harris and his Broadway friends also stole the show with three original numbers, “Make it Bigger,” “Television Sucks” and a Broadway-themed parody of Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” (feat. Audra McDonald!). After the show, we asked you to vote for your favorite performance. Click here to see our picks, then check out your favorites below!
1. “Make It Bigger” (Opening Number) — 40%
Neil Patrick Harris pulled out all the stops in the ceremony’s larger-than-life opening number, jumping through hoops, catapulting through the air like a cheerleader, performing magic tricks and speed-reading the teleprompter like a pro. Meanwhile, stars from nominated musicals and hit long-running shows (including about 30 kids under the age of 12!) joined in the celebration. And don’t even get us started on the weird Mike Tyson cameo. With all this awesome craziness going on, it’s no wonder fans voted it the best performance of the night!
2. “Television Sucks” — 17%
Broadway vets Andrew Rannells (The New Normal), Megan Hilty (Smash) and Laura Benanti (Go On) joined NPH in a hilarious lament about the cancelation of their NBC TV shows. From Rannells’ “I Like to Star in a TV Show” (set to the tune of West Side Story’s “America”) to Benanti’s alcohol-soaked rendition of “Television Sucks” (to the tune of “Ladies Who Lunch” from Company), the performance had us in stitches—and Broadway fans obviously loved it too!
3. Pippin — 7%
Moments before winning her Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Patina Miller led the cast of Pippin in a breathtaking medley of “Magic to Do” and “Corner of the Sky.” Acrobats flew through the air, Miller owned the trapeze and the ensemble cast made magic in the awe-inspiring performance. It’s no surprise Pippin won the Tony for Best Musical Revival—or that 7% of fans voted it the best performance of the night!