During the Tony Awards on Sunday in New York, the influence of ‘Saturday Night Live’ became prominent. Despite being Broadway’s biggest event, Lorne Michaels and several former stars of the long-running sketch comedy show took center stage.

Lorne Michaels, the creator of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ garnered attention at the Tonys by accepting the award for best new musical. The evening began with Darrell Hammond as the ceremony’s announcer. Hammond was an ‘S.N.L.’ star between 1995 and 2009, and he currently serves as the show’s announcer.

Maya Rudolph, known for her work on ‘S.N.L.’ from 2000 to 2007, made a significant impact as well. She presented the night’s first award while in her current role as Mary Todd Lincoln in the comedic play ‘Oh, Mary!’ Before awarding the best leading actor in a play to John Lithgow for ‘Giant,’ Rudolph humorously remarked with Cole Escola about the bravery of actors expressing words for financial reward.

In another highlight of the evening, two ‘S.N.L.’ veterans, Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer, showcased their talents. Both actresses were nominated for featured performance by an actress in a musical. Dratch appeared in ‘The Rocky Horror Show,’ while Gasteyer starred in ‘Schmigadoon!’ Ultimately, the award went to Shoshana Bean for her role in ‘The Lost Boys.’

Rachel Dratch, known for her time on ‘S.N.L.’ from 1999 to 2006, portrayed the Narrator in ‘The Rocky Horror Show.’ In addition to this role, she was previously nominated in 2022 for her portrayal of the U.S. president’s secretary in the comedy ‘POTUS.’

The presence of ‘Saturday Night Live’ alumni and its creator demonstrated the strong bond between television comedy and the theatrical stage. It highlighted their continued success and influence within the performing arts community.