Writing The Closing Number--Backstage at the Tonys

Tommy Kail and I, in the basement of the Beacon Theater, writing Neil Patrick Harris' closing number recapping the 2011 Tony Awards. We totally feel like we're on the West Wing for real. At some point, Nikki James stops by, fresh from her amazing win for The Book Of Mormon. NPH is awesome. Enjoy!

[meceve]

I think it's friggen amazing how they just write a whole rap down in the basement while the show's going on and how Neil then picks it up so quickly. Love the Tonys!

[coolness]

Neil Patrick Harris and Lin Manuel Miranda in the same video. I can't even deal

[elliottobsessed]

OMG! While NPH was rapping, I told my husband, "That sounds like Lin!" I love being right!!!

[yellohcards]

Lin Manuel Miranda + Neil Patrick Harris = Insane amounts of talent & good looks

The rap was fantastic & delivered wonderfully

[xLe]

Dear Tony Awards,

I vote for Lin-Manuel Miranda to co-host with Neil Patrick Harris next year under the direction of Tommy Kail.

Sincerely,
xLe

[LeKosch]

how the hell could he memorize all this stuff in this short time?!?
CAUSE HE'S

[blueparrotgirl]

Oh. My. God. Neil Patrick Harris and Lin Manuel Miranda are two of my favorite

[DragonPrincessAoife]

Lin, I love this entire bit but I want to applaud you for the beauty of the final section about the power of theater. I find so inspirational.

[Reluctantwriter]

Do you realize how awesome it is when someone else can speak, but somehow it is YOUR voice that comes out? People have a much harder time lying on you or stealing your work!
Your talent is extraordinary, just magnificent Mr. Miranda - as usual, just saying :-).

[Kylieluvsingin]

This is amazing. Of course Lin, you would write the closing rap. I was wondering why it was so good.

[uzamaki]

Of COURSE Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the ending Tony's rap! I thought it was brilliant, and very LMM-esque!

[nelstein]

This seriously has everything I love in one place... In the Heights, West Wing references, and NPH. It's perfection.

[Periru]

HE JUST REFERENCED MY FAVORITE WEST WING EPISODE OF ALL TIME!

[emily]

HA i've watched this so many times and i JUST noticed you did the signal.

[usnavi]

@sonotajenny For all the awesome WWing references you just made, I give you this hug through the interweb. Bravo!

[GinaScarpa]

I knew it was Lin-Manuel the minute NPH opened his mouth. This video, seeing things behind the scenes, made my DAY!!!!

[laika]

Dear Tony Awards,
Please get Lin to host next years awards :) It would be the most amazingly funky spazztastic show ever!
That is all.
<3

[JamieAndSassenach]

wow, i kinda thought all winners were known beforehand (by the producers and neil and so on), and the song was rehearsed!
very well done, you two! (and neil, of course! i suppose, he had a teleprompter?)

[robbwayfan]

Lin - you moved me to tears at In the Heights. This rap was wonderful. Tommy is a doll and NPH...well what can you say...the best event host in the world right now. Okay, maybe he and Hugh Jackman are tied.! Thanks for a wonderful wrap rap.

[TheNevilleFangirl]

The two of you together is just too much precious for my mind to handle!!!