British play The History Boys, Alan Bennett’s wise, witty and warmhearted dissection of education in his homeland, was named best play at the 2006 Tony Awards and received six Tonys in all — more than any other production. The other top winner on Sunday night was the fast-moving musical Jersey Boys.

The mammoth stage version of The Lord of the Rings, opening in Toronto next March, has found its Gandalf, Frodo, Gollum and more. Brent Carver, the Tony-winning star of Kiss of the Spider Woman, will portray the majestic wizard Gandalf, while Frodo, the ring-bearer, will be played by British actor James Loye.