The 71st Tony Awards host Kevin Spacey impersonated many celebrities at the awards show while poking fun at the present and former US Presidents. The House of Cards star-- who was not the first person to be offered to host the ceremony-- mentioned the celebs names (who was offered to host the event) through a self-effacing song.
Following the announcement that Spacey would host the 71st Tony Awards, he jokingly stated, "I was their second choice for Usual Suspects, fourth choice for American Beauty and 15th choice to host this year's Tony Awards.
"I think my career is definitely going in the right direction. Maybe I can get shortlisted to host the Oscars if everyone else turns it down."
The House of Cards actor did an impression of famous actor James Earl Jones saying, "I am your father" while referring to Jones' famous voice behind Darth Vader. Jones received a special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Spacey also did not forget to mention CNN's famous on-air slogan "This is CNN" (apparently Jones is the voice behind the news channel). Poking fun at the fake news controversy, he added, "This is CNN, the most trusted name in fake news."
Later he took potshots at the 45th US President while impersonating the former US president Bill Clinton. Spacey's Clinton said, "we've had some surprising winners," before adding, "I'm not even talking about the Tony Awards," as he made fun of Trump's unexpected 2016 presidential win over Hillary Clinton.
The 57-year-old actor also used the rumours around his sexuality for comic effect. The bachelor talked about 'coming out' as he was assisted by actress Whoopi Goldberg and comedian Billy Crystal on stage.
"Kevin Spacey makes a coming out joke" is a finish-your-drink on your Tonys drinking game.
— Kevin O'Keeffe (@kevinpokeeffe) June 12, 2017
Spacey also impersonated his fictional presidential character Francis Underwood from Netflix's political drama House of Cards. He was later joined by the Late Show host Stephen Colbert during his performance.
Watch the full video here.
Here is the full winners' list of the 71st Annual Tony Awards:
Best Play
Oslo
Best Musical
Dear Evan Hanson
Best Revival of a Play
August Wilson's Jitney
Best Revival of a Musical
Hello, Dolly!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Kevin Kline for Present Laughter
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Laurie Metcalf for A Doll's House, Part 2
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Ben Platt for Dear Evan Hansen
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Bette Midler for Hello, Dolly!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Michael Aronov for Oslo
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Cynthia Nixon for Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Gavin Creel for Hello, Dolly!
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Rachel Bay Jones for Dear Evan Hansen
Best Book of a Musical
Steven Levenson for Dear Evan Hansen
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for Dear Evan Hansen
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Nigel Hook for The Play That Goes Wrong
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Mimi Lien for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Best Costume Design of a Play
Jane Greenwood for Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Santo Loquasto for Hello, Dolly!
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Christopher Akerlind for Indecent
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Bradley King for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Best Direction of a Play
Rebecca Taichman for Indecent
Best Direction of a Musical
Christopher Ashley for Come From Away
Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler for Bandstand
Best Orchestrations
Alex Lacamoire for Dear Evan Hansen