", written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt,[10] starred Neil Patrick Harris and "featured neophyte cheerleaders, contortionists, chirpy newsies, a scene-hogging Mike Tyson and, in a Broadway season notable for the number of children in its shows, enough pint-size performers to fill, as Harris aptly quipped, a Chuck-E-Cheese.

"[9][11] During the ceremony, three Broadway performers, Andrew Rannells, Megan Hilty, and Laura Benanti, whose television shows have been cancelled, sang a comic "failed TV career" medley with Harris.

[9] The song was based on several familiar Broadway melodies, including "America", "What I Did For Love", and "The Ladies Who Lunch", with lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa.

[7] The closing number featured Harris and Audra McDonald singing special lyrics to Empire State of Mind, mentioning the winners.

[17] The Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre was awarded to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Career Transition For Dancers, William "Bill" Craver, Peter Lawrence (Production Stage Manager) and The Lost Colony (Roanoke Island, Manteo, North Carolina).

[18] The Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre was given jointly to Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, who share the lead role in Matilda, The Musical.