Kevin Spacey Brings Stephen Colbert (And The Closet Jokes) To The Tonys

Kevin Spacey might’ve been the 15th choice to host the 71st Annual Tony Awards, but he was more than ready for his close-up at the award show on Sunday night.

Paying tribute to each of the night’s nominated musicals, Spacey opened the Tonys with a show-stopping extravaganza about the anxieties of being a host in 2017. He also poked fun at the rumors about his sexual orientation as he brought guests including Stephen Colbert and Whoopi Goldberg on stage.

The Oscar winner first appeared wearing the signature blue-striped polo shirt from “Dear Evan Hansen” with “#host” emblazoned on his arm cast, joking about the show’s ratings-challenged history and the prospect of Twitter trolls.

Colbert then popped up in a groundhog headpiece, naturally, to encourage Spacey, who belted out a number inspired by the musical adaptation of “Groundhog Day.”

Former Tonys host Whoopi Goldberg joined Spacey onstage next, triumphantly swinging open a closet door to rousing applause from the audience.

“How long have you been in that closet?” Spacey asked.

“Well, Kevin, it depends on who you ask,” Goldberg shot back with a telling glance.

After a taped message from Billy Crystal, who ribbed Spacey about his hosting qualifications, Spacey closed the number in spectacular fashion by channeling Norma Desmond, brought to life by Glenn Close in this year’s “Sunset Boulevard.”

Dressed in an ornate gown and headpiece, Spacey sang, “I’m coming out — wait, no, no, no, no,” before breaking out into a tap-dancing routine complete with canes and top hats.

Watch the entire opening number below.