Nina Arianda won her first Tony Award on Sunday for her performance as an actress auditioning for a role in "Venus in Fur."
Arianda beat out stiff competition from Tracie Bennett, who played a booze and pill besotted Judy Garland in "End of the Rainbow," to capture the prize.
"Sir, you were my first crush," Arianda said as presenter Christopher Plummer presented her with the award.
She went on to thank co-star Hugh Dancy and playwright David Ives, labeling the role one of the best for actresses.
Arianda was previously nominated in 2011 for her comic turn in the revival of "Born Yesterday," putting her own imprint on a role made famous by Judy Holliday.
Arianda originated the role in "Venus in Fur" during the play's 2010 off-Broadway run. She remained with the production when it transferred to Broadway last year, although her original co-star Wes Bentley was replaced by Dancy.
"Venus in Fur" was also nominated for Best Play at Sunday's Tony Awards.
Also vying for the Best Actress in a Play statue were three previous Tony winners — Stockard Channing in "Other Desert Cities," Linda Lavin in "The Lyons" and Cynthia Nixon in "Wit."
