New York, June 15, 2008 – Once again, we spent a very long but very exciting Sunday with Broadway’s greats at the 62nd annual Tony Awards, from early morning backstage at Radio City Music Hall during rehearsals until the wee hours, sipping champagne at the big gala after party outdoors at Rockefeller Plaza. 

We hung out in the gift suite backstage, where we chatted with Liza Minnelli – she was with Ron Lewis, who choreographed her newest show, which she said is grueling.  “God, I never stop moving!” Liza told us.  Stopping for a caffeine fix at the very cool Nespresso machine, Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker said she’s thrilled to be back in New York.  “I could just get down and kiss the ground on Broadway”, she said.  Lily Tomlin told us she’s excited about the upcoming musical stage version of her movie 9 to 5, with songs by Dolly Parton.  “My friend Allison Janney is coming back to Broadway in my role in 9 to 5”, Tomlin said.  “I’m just hoping it’ll be a really big hit”, she added while checking out Carlos Falchi bags.  Brooke Shields was into the comfy Uggs shoes – she’s recovering from foot surgery.  Tony show host Whoopi Goldberg hit the gift suite early, and snapped up yellow Ziamond earrings and a necklace by Anne Koplik that she wore on the live telecast. 

Everyone reconvened later on the red carpet, where Kristin Chenoweth showed off her new boyfriend, Charlie McDowell.  How did they meet?  “His mom and I did a film together”, Chenoweth told us.  “His mom is Mary Steenburgen, and that’s how we met.  He’s a director and writer”, she said, introducing him.  They’ve been together for three months now.  (Sorry, readers, we did not get a photo of McDowell.) 

Laura Linney, Glenn Close, Gina Gershon, Alec Baldwin, Laurence Fishburne and Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon Dursley) all took part in Broadway’s big night.