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By Baz Bamigboye and Emily Sheridan
Which way to the emerald city? Scarlett Johansson looked stunning in an emerald green floor-length Elie Saab gown as she arrived at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York last nightScarlett Johansson and Catherine Zeta-Jones went head-to-head on the red carpet of the Tony Awards in New York last night.
While the two actresses opted for glamorous floor-length gowns, Australian star Cate Blanchett stood out from the crowd in a silver Giorgio Armani trouser suit.
Johansson, who won an award for her Broadway debut in the Arthur Miller play A View From A Bridge, showed off her stunning figure in a emerald green Elie Saab gown and backcombed bouffant-style updo.
Welsh star Zeta-Jones, who found out this weekend she was becoming a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, moved past her recent fashion disasters with a chic strapless baby blue Versace gown.
While Zeta-Jones arrived with husband Michael Douglas, notoriously-private Johansson declined to pose with actor husband Ryan Reynolds on the red carpet, who was spotted arriving separately 10 minutes later.
Accepting her trophy for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for A View From A Bridge from Katie Holmes, the emotional star said: 'Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to be on Broadway...'
Glamour: Catherine Zeta-Jones looked stunning in a strapless baby blue Versace dress (left), while Cate Blanchett stood out from the crowd in a silver Giorgio Armani trouser suit
Stunned: Johansson accepted the Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play award from Katie HolmesThe 25-year-old thanked her husband during her speech: 'To my Canadian, whom I live with, Ryan thank you for becoming a theatre widower with me.'
Other early winners included British playwright Alan Ayckbourn with a Lifetime Achievement Special Tony Award. His 74th play is set to open this summer.
British director Terry Johnson won best musical director Tony for his work on musical La Cage Aux Folles, which started life at the tiny Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre near London Bridge. The show moved into the West End and then transferred to Broadway in the Spring.
Johnson faced formidable competition and was not seen as the front runner to win the Tony, hence his droll comment during his acceptance speech.
Theatre veterans: Dame Helen Mirren (left) in a daring off-the-shoulder navy dress, while Angela Lansbury - Zeta-Jones co-star in A Little Night Music - matched the red carpet with her colourful gownHe said: 'I'd like to thank my fellow nominees because without whom I'd have written a speech'.
Former Frasier actor David Hyde Pierce was also the recipient of a special award for his charity work.
The actor flew into the Big Apple from London, where he is currently rehearsing the forthcoming West End production of La Bete.
The show was opened by rock group Green Day, who recently became acquainted on Broadway due to a musical called American Idiot, based on their 2004 album of the same name.
Date night: Naomi Watts looked chic in a nude floor-length gown as she arrived with partner, Best Actor in Play nominee Liev Schreiber (left) while Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas matched in blackMaking a date night out of the ceremony was Melanie Griffith, who wore a black cocktail dress and a handsome accessory in the form of her husband Antonio Banderas.
Nominee Denzel Washington skipped the carpet altogether and he and his wife ran from their limo straight into the Radio City Music Hall. He did, however, find two seconds to make a peace sign to the Daily Mail reporter.
British-Australian actress Naomi Watts was a late arrival as she and partner Liev Schreiber dashed into the ceremony.
Schreiber was up for Best Performance by a Leading Man in a play for his role in A View From A Bridge alongside Johansson.
Leading men and their ladies in red: Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith (left) and former Frasier star Kelsey Grammer and wife CamilleSex And The City heart-throb Chris Noth, otherwise known as Mr Big, got one of the biggest cheers of the night from the soaked crowd that lined 50th Street opposite Radio City Music Hall.
Latin singer Ricky Martin, who 'came out' as gay three months ago, also drew plenty of cheers as he walked up the soggy carpet.
The 38-year-old has agreed to play Che in the musical Evita on Broadway in a couple of seasons time.
Feminine frills: Former American Idol judge in a peach mermaid dress (left), while Lucy Liu looked stunning in a strapless baby pink creation
Down the Great White Way: (L-R) Best Actress nominee Laura Linney in a blue mini, former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams in a Gothic asymmetrical number and Best Actress in a Musical nominee Christiane Noll in maroonHarry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe apologised for the downpour that drenched the red carpet for the Tony Awards.
He laughed as he quipped: 'Ah, the rain.I'm sorry for it but I promise you I didn't bring it over with me from England'.
He explained how he had been 'singing and dancing day in and day out' in preparation for his musical theatre debut on Broadway in the show How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.
Glee all round: Glee star Lea Michele, a well-known star on Broadway, was joined by theatre veteran Idina Menzel, who cameoed in the TV show as the long-lost mother of Michele's character Rachel Berry
Variety is the spice of life: (L-R) Actress Kerry Washington went for a draped Grecian style, Kristin Chenoweth went for a white bejewelled mini, while Aretha Franklin wore a sparkly bronze number
The musical opens next Spring and is his first major assignment after completing the last of the Harry Potter films.
While the stars braved the downpour to see who had won, one nominee stayed away this year.
Jude Law sent word that due to 'family holiday commitments' he wouldn't be at the ceremony, despite being nominated for Best Performance By a Leading Actor In A Play for Hamlet.
Eye-catching: (L-R) Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy shimmered in a gold, Best Actress nominee Viola Davis in a satin lime halterneck and former Sopranos actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler in a tie-dyed maxi dress
Suited and booted: (L-R) Johansson's husband Ryan Reynolds, Christopher Walken and Ricky MartinThe winners include...
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Scarlett Johansson - A View From A Bridge
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Eddie Redmayne - Red
Best Direction Of A Play: Michael Grandage - Red
Best Direction Of A Musical: Terry Johnson - La Cage Aux Folles
Best Orchestrations: Daryl Waters and David Bryan - Memphis
Best Scenic Design Of A Play: Christopher Oram - Red
Special Tony Award for Lifetime of Achievement in the theatre: Alan Ayckbourn and Marian Seldes
Regional Theatre Award: The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, Connecticut
Isabelle Stevenson Award: David Hyde Pierce
Tony Honours for Excellence in the theatre: B.H. Barry and Tim Viola
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