New York (AFP)

“Broadway is back!”: After 18 months of silence imposed by the pandemic, the New York theaters rekindle their stages and offered themselves their best show on Sunday evening with their annual awards, the Tony Awards, and a triumph for the musical "Moulin Rouge!".

"Everyone here is vaccinated and tested and everyone wears a mask. Every Broadway theater will look like this for a little while, and everything will be fine," said American actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr, host of an evening full of color and song in the splendid Winter Garden Theater on Broadway, in the heart of Manhattan.

With tuxedo and evening dress required.

Broadcast by the national network CBS, the 2021 Tony Awards ceremony rewarded the works of the 2019-2020 season brutally interrupted, in March of last year, by the Covid-19 epidemic which particularly ravaged New York.

It was the musical "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" that smashed the set with ten awards - almost a record - including Best Music and Best Actor in a Musical for Aaron Tveit.

This is the stage adaptation of the 2001 hit film "Moulin Rouge!"

by Baz Luhrmann with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

The Tony for Best Play went to "The Inheritance", an adaptation of the 1910 novel by Briton Edward Morgan Forster, "Howards End", which depicts social relations in early 20th century England.

The play is set in today's New York City.

Its director Stephen Daldry also won an award, out of the four obtained by his work.

Singer, actress and dancer Adrienne Warren, who won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of singer Tina Turner in "Tina" gave a glimpse of her talent on stage.

"Hamilton", "The Lion King", "Chicago": the most famous musicals played on Broadway have made their comeback since September 14 on one of the most famous avenues on the planet, in the heart of the economic capital and culture of the United States.

US singer-actress Audra McDonald hosted the first portion of the Tonys, at which most of the awards were handed out Angela Weiss AFP

"Broadway is back. It's essential. And Broadway will be even better," promised actress Audra McDonald, who won no less than six awards in previous years.

© 2021 AFP