Rashad makes Tony history

NEW YORK — “Avenue Q,” a cheeky little musical that uses puppets, four-letter words and catchy, jinglelike tunes, was the upset winner Sunday at the Tonys where history was made as Phylicia Rashad became the first black actress to win for a leading dramatic role.

“I Am My Own Wife,” Doug Wright’s gender-bending tale of survival, was named best play.

“Avenue Q” also received Tonys for the best book and score in beating out “Wicked,” the lavish “Wizard of Oz” prequel for the top musical prize.

“It certainly doesn’t suck to be us tonight,” said Robyn Goodman, one of the musical’s surprised and overjoyed producers, referring to the musical’s opening number, “It Sucks to Be Me.”

Jefferson Mays bested much better known competition (Kevin Kline, Christopher Plummer, Frank Langella) to take the top acting prize for his portrayal of a German transvestite — and some 40 other characters — in Wright’s “I Am My Own Wife,” a role he called “a labor of love.”

“Our entire cast just won Tony Awards,” joked Wright in accepting the best-play honor.

Hugh Jackman, besides serving as host of the awards program, won the actor-musical prize for portraying flamboyant entertainer Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz.”

“Peter, it’s an honor to play you and I dedicate this Tony to you,” Jackman said in saluting Allen, who died of AIDS in 1992.