Red Carpet Review: The 2019 Tony Awards (part 2)

Yesterday I critiqued the men; today I'll critique the women. A few of these looks I already mentioned during the broadcast, but I found a few that I'd missed, plus I'd like to get in a few more details and more specific comments on what I liked or didn't like about some others.

Just because I couldn't come up with a more creative way to do it, here they are in alphabetical order, by first name.

Ali Stroker would have been luminous in a paper bag, but she was even more so in this beautiful yellow satin gown. I would not have chosen either that color or that style for her, but clearly that is why her stylist is her stylist and I am not, because both were absolutely perfect. The skirt was hemmed in such a way that it made a graceful ripple at her feet without needing to be overly full, and the off-the shoulder bodice stayed firmly in place as she moved. Just lovely.

Ashley Park stunned in another vivid yellow dress. I loved its simple lines, with a narrow cuff across the straight bodice and a skirt that pulled up just a tiny bit at the sides, making a graceful curve at the hem. Her cascade of dark curly hair and a simple necklace and clutch were just the right accessories to accent but not overwhelm.

Audra McDonald always looks elegant and graceful, and this lovely white gown was no exception. I loved the soft waves of the ruffle-topped bodice, which was echoed in the gentle ruffle cascading at the side of the skirt. Simple diamond cuffs and loop earrings, and an absolutely stunning dragonfly brooch added just a touch of sparkle.

Beth Leavel cut quite the figure in this slinky, clinging, starry black and silver column. With a plunging-to-the-waist neckline held comfortably in place by a sheer panel, just-above-the-elbow sleeves, and a puddle of train, there are just enough details to make it gorgeous instead of boring.

I liked Caitlin Kinnunen's suit with one minor quibble. The fabric was great, the cut of the jacket was terrific, the cropped pants were flattering, the shoes were wonderful, but the little black panel/camisole under the jacket needed more structure. If it had been a short corset, or even just a more structured fabric, it would have worked for me, but it just looked droopy and out of place with the crispness of the rest of the outfit. Other than that, a nice contemporary look. 

Camille A. Brown's turquoise dress was a little frothy for my taste, but if you can't be theatrical at the Tonys, when can you? I did love the way the bodice was partly gathered tulle and partly spangled, and her gold-and-purple hairpiece was to die for, so I'm still calling this look a win.

I understand that Catherine O'Hara's dress was a nod to Beetlejuice, and it actually looks quite cute at this angle. But even just slightly from the side, the curves over the abdomen created a paunchy look  that was...less than flattering. I also felt like it needed some kind of funky hair accessory to complete the look. Great in concept, but slightly weak in execution.

Celia Keenan-Bolger was cute as a button in this lovely silver gown with its fan-detailed satin bodice and short angled satin skirt over a long tulle underskirt.Her sweet, feminine bobbed 'do and colorful pop of bright lipstick drew attention to her face, where it belonged. Lovely.

Cynthia Erivo looked like she had just stepped off the catwalk in this barely-yellow column with its high slit and marabou feather accents. Simple, elegant, and perfect to set off all that is gorgeous about her. Extra points for the pop of color in her clutch.

The fabric of Danai Gurira's white-and-gold dress had a wonderful antique look to it, and I loved the full skirt and bell sleeves. But the ribbon bow at the neck and the oddly-placed diamond-shaped insert on the bodice were a little frumpy. Not awful, but not one of the better looks of the evening.

Dominique Morisseau's sleek red column was accented with a sweetheart neckline, a twist of fabric at the hip, and a short train. Although I didn't love her heavy, asymmetrical updo, I loved her strappy silver sandals and her lovely makeup. She looked like she loved her look and was having the time of her life, which is always the best accessory.

I'm rarely a fan of Jane Krakowski's red carpet looks, but this lovely midnight blue number was a big hit with me. I lovely the rippled, variegated fabric, the sheer sleeves, the tiny black belt, and the full skirt with the slit up to there, which adds just the right touch of surprising sexiness so an otherwise very demure gown. Love it.

Judith Light tends to be hit-or-miss for me in her red carpet looks, often choosing a gown that looks lovely when she's posing, but terrible when she moves. This slinky metallic silver column, however, caught the light beautifully, clung to her figure perfectly, and added just the right pop of subtle color in its pale pink belt and stripe down the bodice. And the loose, waved hair and dramatic eye makeup worked well.

Karen Olivo wore a great take on a black tuxedo. Her pants were simply cut and basic, but the jacket was fabulous, with lace patterned cutouts at the waist and a long, high-low peplum attached to the waist. I'm not always a fan of women wearing jackets without shirts, but her jacket was so perfectly tailored that it avoided any gapping or awkwardness, even as she moved. Also, great shoes. Well done.

As much as I adore Kelli O'Hara, this outfit did NOT work for me. I liked the bodice, with its arched top and textured black lace, but the asymmetrical...skirt? peplum? I don't even know what to call it. Whatever it was, it didn't work for me, nor did the flared, bell bottom, lace just in front pants. Had it been a gown with the same silhouette, even if it were still transparent lace with an asymmetrical opaque overlay, it could have worked for me. But I'm sorry, Kelli, I just can't make it work for me.

I loved Laura Benanti's red gown when I first saw it, and I loved it even more once I realized it has pants underneath. The structure is absolutely amazing, from its gravity-defying loop of fabric that forms the bodice, to the arches over the hips, to the heavy draping of the overskirt. I love the slim cropped pants and strappy sandals, which take away from the starkness of the dress. This is a fabulous look.

Laura Linney is definitely a front runner for best look of the evening for me. Her gorgeous soft black velvet one-shouldered gown was studded with silver spangles. I love that it had two sleeves but only one shoulder, since a very dark gown with a single sleeve can look disproportionate and lopsided. And I love that her hair is slightly asymmetrical in the other direction, which counters the bared shoulder nicely. Linney's red carpet looks are rarely my favorites, but she hit it out of the park with this one. Glorious.

Lilli Cooper's deep blue mermaid gown was another really beautifully designed and structured gown. I loved the snugly-fitted bodice which ended in a graceful but flat gathering of fabric at the hips, flaring just above the knee into a hugely full skirt that was slightly longer at the back to form a sort of train. The lines of the gathered fabric created an interesting geometric texture without adding bulk, and the overall silhouette was simply va-va-voom. I didn't love the heavy asymmetrical pouf of hair on top of her head, but the swirled, cascading braid added a lovely line. And the dramatic eye makeup and nude lips complemented the look nicely.

When I first saw Lucy Liu's dress, I felt like the skirt was a bit overwhelming on her slight frame. But the more I see it, the more it grows on me, and I wish I'd seen her moving in it a little more - I have a feeling it's one of those rare gowns that actually looks better in person than in a posed photograph. What I absolutely did love right away, and continue to love, is the beautiful lines of the bodice, which is basically two wide straps over a bandeau that twists together in the front. I still think I would prefer it with a less voluminous skirt, but it is a lovely dress and a fabulous color on her. I'm calling it a win in any case.

I adore floaty watercolor print gowns, and Marisa Tomei's is one of my favorites ever. I love the structured bodice, the way the colors intensify from bodice to hem, the flare of the skirt, and the long train. This is another gown that moves beautifully and looks more lovely and graceful in person than in a still photo. The print is busy enough that Tomei's choice of a sleek hairstyle, minimal accessories, and natural makeup with just a bright pop of lipstick is just perfect.

I'm not always a fan of short dresses on the red carpet, but Montego Glover won me over in this simple frock. I love the body of the shiny print high-low skirt with solid black lining matching the simple deep v-necked bodice. Colorful makeup in the same palette as the skirt and a sweet side-swept ponytail fit with the slightly casual style of the dress, but Glover still looks elegant and formal. I love it.

Another of my favorite looks of the night, Regina King's bubblgum-pink satin column featured gathering to the hip and a lovely, swirly side train. It could have looked lopsided, but the fabric looked so graceful and floaty that it was absolutely perfect. As was King.

There are a lot of things I love about Ruth Wilson's gown: the overall silhouette, with a bodice fitted to the hip then gracefully flaring into an overlong skirt with a generous train, the delicious color, the shawl-like wrap of fabric from the shoulders to the neck. But the demurely high neck and short sleeves, paired with the old-lady coronet-style updo are rather aging on her. If the bodice had wrapped from behind the shoulders to form a v-neck, even one that wasn't that low, I think this look could have been much improved. But even so, I did really like it.

Samira Wiley's dress was proof that fit and tailoring make all the difference. Despite its wide and deep plunging v-neck, the dress clearly had enough body to stay in place. I didn't love the green sequin trim in closeup shots, but from farther back, it added just enough sparkle and contrast to really set off the color of the gown. A great look.

What was YOUR favorite look of the night?