However, in an interesting twist, the two switched places. Last year, Mantello was named Best Director of a Play for his work on Take Me Out and O'Brien topped the category Best Director of a Musical for Hairpray.
The duo returned to the winner's circle this year, only this time is was O'Brien who won in the play category, for Henry IV, while Mantello completed his set of matching Tonys by taking home a musical trophy for Assassins.
Next year, the two helmsmen have a chance to switch places yet again. O'Brien will be back with a musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Mantello will return with a play, Glengarry Glen Ross.
