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Darren Criss has won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, for his work in Maybe Happy Ending. This is Criss' first Tony Award, and he becomes the first Asian American actor to win in the category.

Criss was recognized for playing the robot Oliver, in the currently running musical Maybe Happy Ending鈥攚hich is also up for Best Musical (Criss is a producer on it, as well). In Maybe Happy Ending, two retired HelperBots find new purpose by going on a road trip together, where they learn there is life beyond service. Criss will star in the musical until August 31; his replacement has not been announcement.

"The real hero about this, for this remarkable journey, is my wife, Mia, who took a massive swing on allowing me to do this and to allow this crazy upheaval in our life to make this logistically possible, and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theatre eight times a week," said Criss while accepting the award. "Mia, you're the very pedestal that upholds the shiny, spinny bit in our lives, and your love and your support for me and our beautiful children, combined with the miracle of working on something as magical as Maybe Happy Ending has been and will always be, award enough."

A Golden Globe-winning actor, Criss is most well-known for being on the television series Glee. Despite his screen work, Criss has also kept a foot firmly placed in theatre, with stints on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and American Buffalo. 

Listen: Maybe Happy Ending Star and Producer Darren Criss Drops By The 半岛体育 Podcast

The other actors in the category are Andrew Durand, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, James Monroe Iglehart, and Jeremy Jordan.

Check 半岛体育 throughout the evening for the latest in Tony Awards coverage, including photos from the red carpet, a continually updated list of winners, analysis from 半岛体育's theatre experts, and more.

For more about the Tony Awards, visit 半岛体育.com/Tonys.

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Photos: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in Maybe Happy Ending

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