And the Tony goes to . . .

What an incredible evening it was! Broadway’s biggest night did not disappoint.

I flew out of Manila on June 6 to be part of the Tony Awards, in order to introduce “Miss Saigon’s” musical performance (headed by Tony nominee Eva Noblezada). The sweet part of it was that I would be sharing my presenting duties with Jon Jon Briones, who also stars in the current Broadway revival as The Engineer, and who was once in the original West End production that opened in 1989.

To have him there, a man who makes his own “American Dream” come true night after night, is one full-circle moment that I’m only too happy and proud to witness.

When I left for New York, I made a promise to take and post as many selfies as I could. And so I did!

At the dress rehearsal on Sunday morning at Radio City Music Hall, I started clicking with Josh Gad (Tony nominee for “The Book of Mormon,” the voice of Olaf in “Frozen,” and most recently Lefou in the live action version of “Beauty and the Beast”), and then kept working my way through many of the presenters and performers seated in the same area: Justin Guarini and David Abeles (both of “In Transit”), Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison in “Hamilton”), Christopher Jackson (Tony nominee for playing George Washington in “Hamilton”), Tommy Tune (Tony winner for “The Will Rogers Follies”), my beshie Lin-Manuel Miranda (major Tony winner for “Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” and with whom I’m still having a fun Twitter exchange) and Mark Hamill (also known as Luke Skywalker and The Joker, who was also on Broadway playing Mozart in “Amadeus”).

And yes, that last one caused a moment of silent reverence among all of us seated in the presenters’ area, as well as not just a few “Star Wars” nerd freak-outs. He was so sweet and gracious to all of us who asked for a photo. What a lovely man.

I was also reunited with my “Redwood Curtain” costar, two-time Tony winner John Lithgow, who gives the biggest hugs, accompanied by warmth and a huge smile. “I played her dad,” he said, as our photo was being taken.

The dress rehearsal was attended by an audience seated in the orchestra, mezzanine and balconies, even though it was still early.

I got to sit down with Sutton Foster (Tony winner for “Thoroughly Modern Millie”), Sara Bareilles (Tony nominee for writing the music and lyrics for “Waitress,” which she currently stars in), Rachel Bloom (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” creator and star, who would be on bumper duty backstage) and Patina Miller (Tony winner for “Pippin”).

The entire show, from start to finish, was rehearsed (including the Creative Arts Awards, hosted by Tony nominees Jonathan Groff and Brian D’Arcy James, who also presented awards during the commercial breaks).

Host Kevin Spacey, himself a Tony winner for “Lost in Yonkers,” went through every single joke, musical number and costume change.

Most of the presenters also came in that morning to rehearse their presentations with dummy envelopes containing the names of “winners,” labeled with “For this rehearsal only” to get the presenters and backstage staff coordinated.

I headed home for some lunch and a shower, as my glam team would start arriving in stages soon. Makeup artist Yuko Takahashi was first, followed by stylist PJ Pascual.

Agent/manager Josh Pultz would follow later, as he would be taking me through the red carpet. My date for the evening, Victor Lirio, arrived last. My Rajo Laurel gun metal gray pantsuit was ready (PJ saved my life by finding an alternative to the corset top I was supposed to bring, but didn’t), so I got dressed and headed to Radio City.

We arrived at around 5:30 p.m., and already it was abuzz with many of this season’s Tony nominees, as well as presenters and other celebrity guests. The selfies then continued with Stephanie J. Block (nominated for “Falsettos”), Ben Platt (who won for “Dear Evan Hansen”), Courtney Reed (Princess Jasmine in Broadway’s “Aladdin”), Erich Bergen (currently starring in “Madam Secretary”), Jordan Roth (head of the Jujamcyn Organization) and Cobie Smulders (currently in “Present Laughter”).

(Oh, Victor and I were seated in front of former United States Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, who would be presenting.)

The show went without a single hitch, as expected. If there was the element of the unknown here, it was this: who would actually win.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the many years of award seasons, it’s that just because someone wins a Drama Desk or Outer Critics Circle awards, that doesn’t mean the same person or show will also win the Tony.

Victor and I were in our seats unable to predict many of the night’s winners, which is a great thing. This season was packed with some incredible plays and musicals as well as inspired and inspiring performances, so truly, whoever and whatever was announced deserved that trophy.

Whenever a winner was called, there were hearty cheers and standing ovations generously given. No one at any moment held back their enthusiasm, which made the night’s proceedings feel like a huge party. This was the moment I felt incredibly proud to be a part of this wonderful community of artists, and the kind of work I get to do.

We ended the evening at The Plaza Hotel (where I bumped into more friends and took even more selfies), finishing up our party roam at Pizza Rollio in the food court, owned by PJ’s friend, painter Mariko Jacinto.

To everyone who said yes to posing for my photos throughout the night, to Rajo, PJ and Yuko for making me look and feel like a badass, to Victor for being the perfect companion, to Josh for coordinating everything and to all the artists who made this Broadway season something to truly remember, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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