I’m not such an awards-show lover that I obsessively watch the Tonys, the awards for Broadway plays and musicals. The Tonys aren’t really like film and television awards shows – the Tonys seem to be more familial, kinder, and dare I say, gayer. It’s not a bad thing, but it does seem like every man who wins a Tony thanks his boyfriend or husband. It’s actually pretty sweet – most of the Tony-Award winning actors I recognize from Law & Order, and I’m always thinking to myself “Oh, that guy who played the serial killer on Criminal Intent is married to such a nice young man!”

In any case, this year’s Tony Awards went off without a hitch – with one notable exception. It was someone’s bright idea to invite Bret Michaels and Poison, to perform with the cast of the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages”. I suspect Bret was invited for kitsch value, but Bret was game. Sidenote: even though I think Bret is pretty sleazy with women, he seems like a generally nice guy. He performed his song, and then went to walk off stage when he was struck by a rogue set piece. Bret went down pretty hard. I’m trying not to laugh (he could have been really hurt) but it was pretty funny.

People has a great rundown on the show and the winners – most notably, Angela “Murder She Wrote” Lansbury! I love Angela Lansbury, she’s so friggin’ cool. Her win last night was her fifth career Tony Award, too! And they gave her a standing ovation. Good times:

Broadway did what Broadway does best to open Sunday night’s 63rd annual Tony Awards – delivering an electrifying musical number that starred Dolly Parton, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, the casts of West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Pal Joey, Shrek, 9 to 5: The Musical, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages and Billy Elliot and finished off with a love-in: a rousing rendition of “Let the Sun Shine” from the new best-revival production of Hair that got all 6,000 attendees inside Radio City Music Hall dancing in their seats.

When the spectacle concluded, the evening’s host, How I Met Your Mother star Neal Patrick Harris, called it “the biggest and most expensive number in the history of the Tonys. That is why I am your host tonight.”

But not everything went smoothly during the elaborate number, which was broadcast live on CBS. Rock of Love reality star Bret Michaels – who hit the stage with his band Poison along with the cast of Broadway’s Rock of Ages – ran into a piece of scenery when he missed his mark after performing Poison’s hit “Nothin’ But a Good Time.” He was knocked to the ground, and while the extent of his injury was not known, he did not break his nose, despite wide speculation that he had.

A publicist later told PEOPLE that Michaels was hoping to hit some after-parties but was “getting X-rays.” Calling him “a trooper,” she added that Michaels “had a blast performing.”

Besides the singing and dancing, there were awards, with Billy Elliot, composer Elton John’s adaptation of director Stephen Daldry’s 2000 film about a boy who lives to dance, sweeping the night as best musical and winning 10 Tonys in all – while French dramatist Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage was named best play.

God of Carnage – an unmannered “comedy of manners” about two married couples in Brooklyn – was also honored for its direction and its leading actress, Marcia Gay Harden.

Oscar winner (for the 1996 film Shine) Geoffrey Rush added to his trophy case with the best actor Tony for the revival of the French existential absurdist tragic-comedy Exit the King, by Eugene Ionesco.

Sopranos star James Gandolfini, now starring in God of Carnage, served as a presenter and “set the record straight,” he said. “I am not Shrek.” He and costar Jeff Daniels handed over the best featured actress Tony to Broadway favorite Angela Lansbury, for her role as spiritual medium Madame Arcati in the revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

The win marked Mame and Murder, She Wrote star Lansbury’s fifth Tony, and the audience – which included Anne Hathaway – received her with a standing ovation.

“This is amazing,” said the veteran actress, 83. “Who would have thought? Who knew at this time of my life that I would be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I can’t believe I am standing here.”

West Side Story’s Karen Olivo, who played the defiant Anita, was named best featured actress in a musical. In her acceptance speech, which brought tears to members of the audience, she stressed the importance of surrounding oneself “with people who love you.”

Liza Minnelli’s concert, Liza’s at the Palace, beat Will Ferrell’s one-man show, You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush, as best special theatrical event. The indomitable star thanked her parents, showbiz legend Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, for giving her her godmother, musical stylist Kay Thompson.

Next to Normal, an offbeat musical about a family’s coping with a bipolar mother, beat Dolly Parton (for 9 to 5) and Elton John (for Billy Elliot) in the best score category, with Tonys going to composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Brian Yorkey – who acknowledged Parton and John’s inspiration. Its star, Alice Ripley, was named best leading actress in a musical.

[From People]

Liza with a Z! I love Liza, too! Wow, Angela Lansbury and Liza Minnelli – not to mention Neal Patrick Harris. Am I geek for loving these people? So why was Bret Michaels invited again? Oh, right. For the love of kitsch. I’d really like to see that play “God of Carnage”, I’ve read a lot about it and it sounds great. Other than that… what with all of the films that get made into musicals? Billy Elliot? Really? I guess they have to give a Tony to whatever Elton John touches.

Shown at the Tony Awards are Anne Hathaway and Jane Fonda, John Stamos, Angela Lansbury, Piper Perabo, Dolly Parton, Gina Gershon and Edie Falco, Marica Gay Harden, Brett Michaeals, Allison Janney, and Liza Minelli. Credit: WENN.com.