The later the better for Darren Criss and Julianne Hough.
The duo hosted their annual Tony Award after-after party at the Crane Club presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label and The Asian American Foundation. It was a rarity to see one of the Tony Award celebrations hosted at a downtown spot, but it welcomed a slew of guests coming from earlier parties plus a crop of Broadway’s twentysomethings. Criss and Hough have cohosted this late-night event together since 2022.
Attendees included Leslie Odom Jr., Milo Manheim, Charli D’Amelio, Lizzy McAlpine, Nina Dobrev, Christian Siriano, Joey Fatone, Busy Philipps, Daniel Dae Kim and Chris Colfer, one of Criss’ “Glee” costars. Additionally, a bulk of the cast from “The Outsiders,” which scored best musical at the Tony Awards last year, were also in attendance.
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Under red-ish lighting and an oversize disco ball, a funk band played, leaving the walls and floors shaking. Even though Criss, who wore a slew of Siriano looks throughout the evening, had performed a show earlier in the day — and then a rather busy night — he was full of energy, dancing around the venue, taking selfies with friends and posing for a few professional shots with McAlpine — he, of course, had his Tony Award, which he won for best actor in a musical, in hand the entire evening. While he bopped around unfazed, other attendees flopped into cozy booths complaining of aching feet.
Meanwhile, McAlpine and Manheim stood under the disco ball locked in deep conversation. Ben Stiller popped up between 3 and 4 a.m., and some attendees approached the star for a quick yet low-key chat. Throughout the evening, guests snacked on Nolita Deux Luxe wagyu beef burgers and Serendipity ice cream.
Just before 3:30 a.m., Criss paused the beats of the funk pop band playing and welcomed the guests in attendance asking if anyone had seen the musical he stars in “Maybe Happy Ending.” He was, of course, met with a roomful of shouts. He then joked that the next song was not in fact from “Maybe Happy Ending,” before launching into a medley of ’90s anthems, including Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and a segment dedicated to his wife Mia Criss, who was also in attendance.
Of the evening’s parties, Criss’ welcomed a much dancier crowd. Attendees jumped around, dancing and shouting, no doubt amped-up from the candy bar that was available. Criss’ costar Colfer posed atop booths for photos, while others stood on chairs to get a good view of the concert.
The impromptu show went on until about 4 a.m. Afterward, a bulk of guests exited the venue — as some lined up to enter — and piled up on the windy, slightly chilly street awaiting their taxis. Some headed home, while others chased the next hot party.