Tony Nominees React to Their 2019 Nominations
The big day is here! We have the list of 2019 Tony nominees, and we're chatting with the members of the illustrious short list to hear their first reactions to the big news. You'll find some of their responses here, and keep checking as more pour in.
For the complete list of Tony nominees, click here.
The following comments have been condensed and edited.
(© Joan Marcus)
Sam Mendes, Best Direction of a Play, The Ferryman
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have been nominated. The Ferryman has been one of the best experiences of my professional life, and this really is the cherry on the cake."
Fionnula Flanagan, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, The Ferryman
"It was totally unexpected and I think that makes it all the more thrilling. I got up, and I turned on Channel 1, which I turn on every morning to watch what's happening in New York and it's halfway through the announcements and I think, 'Oh, they're announcing!' Then I see that The Ferryman has had several nominations and I think, 'Oh that's wonderful, I must pay attention.' And then my phone rang and I got a couple of calls from overseas to say congratulations, so somebody was paying attention somewhere! It's really thrilling beyond belief."
Stephanie J. Block, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, The Cher Show
"Seb and I are like our own island here in Jersey. We don't have Facebook. Our babysitter came down with her laptop and we watched off of Facebook her computer. This is my third nomination, and it's the first time I'm in the midst of performances while being nominated. The other two shows had closed. I'm thrilled, I'm overwhelmed, and I'm carrying my Cher Show family with me. This is a completely different feeling for me, knowing I can go to work and honor the people onstage eight times a week. I just looked at my phone and I already have 64 text messages! But I'm still a mom, so I have to pick my little one up from school and be a mommy for a few hours, and then off to work. I might treat myself and stay at a hotel in Manhattan before the early morning press junket tomorrow. That may be my big celebration: sleeping well in a hotel bed in Manhattan."
Lilli Cooper, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Tootsie
"It's so crazy! I slept through all of the nominations because I was so nervous. Then, I rolled over and saw 55 text messages on my phone. I'm floating. My boyfriend is out of town, so I'm just chilling in my apt, just me and my dog. I'm pacing back and forth. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm so excited to go to the theater. I'm so proud of all the recognition we got. That will really be my celebration: sharing this moment with my friends and coworkers. When I found out, I think my brain went blank. All the craziness that's about to ensue clicked in. It's a flood of memories of my career and being young little insecure Lilli, and finally being in this place where I should be so proud of myself and I am."
Robert Horn, Best Book of Musical, Tootsie
"This is crazy. This feels like a scene I cut out of a show I wrote because no one believed it. I had six computers, two televisions, and a mother all waiting to let me know. I'm a little in shock and a little numb, and as corny as this sounds, the fact that I get to carry the banner of banner a Tony nominee is the No. 1 bucket-list goal of my life. When I was a tiny little kid, my mom took me to see 70 Girls, 70, and at that moment, I said, 'This is what I want to do for a living.' And it finally happened. This is insane. And what incredible company I'm in."
(© Matthew Murphy)
Patrick Page, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Hadestown
Paige, my dog Georgie, and I were in the bedroom watching. I have to say, I was pretty nervous, and Georgie knew. She was right in my face going "What's the matter, Daddy?" but how do you say in Maltese "Daddy is worried about not getting nominated again?" I'm joyful, but I have to admit, I'm also relieved. I've been up for Tony nominations a number of times and haven't gotten them, so this is my first. I think, perhaps, it means more to me because I can't tell you how many times I've been on the "Should have been nominated" list. [[Laughs]] I'm celebrating the best way possible: by doing the show this evening.
Sergio Trujillo, Best Choreography, Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations
"I was feeding my 1-year-old, feeding him his eggs because it was breakfast time. My husband was watching, and I was feeding our son because that was more important than anything else that could happen this morning. And then I wheeled his highchair into the living room so that we could continue to watch and so that I could support the rest of my peers and the team of Ain't Too Proud. I'm floating. This is a great moment. I'm proud of our show. I'm proud of the story we're telling. The entire team has been stellar. So I'm very happy that all of that was recognized. This evening I will go to the theater. I want to give my entire cast a big hug."
(© Little Fang Photo)
Damon Daunno, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Oklahoma!
"I feel just over the moon and incredibly grateful. I'm absolutely thrilled and couldn't me more proud of everyone in our show that's been nominated. It's funny to receive the news early in the morning because I feel equal parts sleepy and ecstatic. I've definitely got some phone calls to some excited family members I gotta make and then I'll probably make myself and my wife a celebratory breakfast and just soak it in."
Sarah Stiles, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Tootsie
"I'm very excited! My boyfriend woke me up. His face was in my face and he went, 'Congratulations,' and I went, 'Really? REALLY?' And then he told me about the rest of our cast. It was the easiest wake up I've had in a long time. It's so different than the last time I was nominated, so I know what to expect now. I love the community and being able to get close to all the nominees. It's this next-level connection, so I'm really looking forward to that. And this season is killer. It's got some of the greatest performances out there. I'm so humbled by this category. And we get to celebrate all together! The biggest celebration is getting to do the show again tonight. It's such a joy and we're having the time of our lives."
Rachel Chavkin, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Hadestown
"We did good! Anaïs Mitchell and I were at the album recording last night until 1am, and we were chatting in the taxi on the way home for recognition for everyone. I feel so proud of Anaïs and the work that she's inspired in everyone. We've been working on this show for so long. You don't have the kind of depth of growth we've had if you're not doing it for love. Andre de Shields said this one day, 'Anaïs is a prophet.' We all really do feel that way. There's something so timely about this piece, and not just because of 'Why We Build the Wall.' It feels like a revival in the theater every night because of how it's hitting audiences. If anything, a morning like this is the continued confirmation of what you know in your bones to be true: this show is singular, and very special."
(© Matthew Murphy)
Amber Gray, Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Hadestown
"I haven't said it out loud yet, but it feels great. I'm super excited. I'm so happy that the show got 14 nominations, as well. I actually didn't sleep much last night; I'm in the PICU, because my baby has been here for five days. The nurses came in and turned on CBS for me, because they knew. I'm just so happy for the show. It's the fourth iteration of it, and it feels so good. I've only heard from Rachel and Anaïs, but we haven't talked about celebrations yet. The next five weeks are gonna be the marathon and the celebration."
Heidi Schreck, Best Play and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, What the Constitution Means to Me
"It's very overwhelming — I'm so honored by both nominations. The nomination for Best Actress is so unexpected, and I'm just so thrilled to be included in a category with many of my very favorite actresses. My husband was scrolling through Twitter looking at the feed, and then our incredible producer Matt Ross called me to let me know about the Actress nomination. And then friends started texting and calling me. And I have to say the Best Play category is so fantastic. I'm a lifelong fan of Taylor [Mac]. We grew up together in downtown experimental theater, and I'm just so happy Taylor was nominated. And I love Choir Boy. It just seems like a thrilling category. I have a show tonight, so I'm on vocal rest. I'm gonna drink a lot of water, take a nap and then go do the show."
Mary Testa, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Oklahoma!
"I'm just thrilled. I'm very proud of our show and I'm thrilled to be nominated and also to be in this lovely category of women, most of whom are friends of mine. It's a lovely thing and I'm very excited."
(© Deen van Meer)
Brooks Ashmanskas, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, The Prom
"To say that I'm thrilled and honored to be on that list with those wonderful gentlemen is a huge understatement. Congratulations to all the nominees, and I'm so grateful for all the love out there for The Prom."
Des McAnuff, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Ain't Too Proud
"I'm actually not normally waiting for this. It's happened to me a couple of times before, and I've gone about my business. But this time I was dialed in and waiting to see how we did. We have the great Harold Wheeler [nominated for his orchestrations] coming into town to be with us, so I'm going to definitely be at the theater to see him. This is his renaissance, and like Otis Williams, Harold lived the timeline of the show. He's very heavily invested, emotionally, in this achievement. I really want to be there to shake his hand. We ride his magic carpet. I want to be there to give him a hug and get a glass of champagne."
Casey Nicholaw, Best Direction of a Musical, The Prom
"The Prom has been a special one for us — very close to our hearts. We created a story and idea from scratch, so to see it recognized with seven nominations makes today a satisfying and emotional day for the whole team and also the actors who have been with it from the first reading."
Jeff Daniels, Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, To Kill a Mockingbird
"It has been an honor to play Atticus Finch on Broadway. And now this. Thank you, American Theatre Wing."
Warren Carlyle, Outstanding Choreography of a Musical, Kiss Me, Kate
"It's the craziest story. I'm in the UK directing Hugh Jackman's world tour. We were in the middle of tech, in an aircraft hanger in the north of England. It's 1:30 in the afternoon. Hugh had a live feed of the nominations his earpiece, so when it was announced, he stopped the rehearsal and said, "Congratulations to Warren Carlyle, Tony nominee!' And had the video department put up on all the screens, 'Congratulations Warren Carlyle.' It was crazy. And I dissolved into tears like the strong leader I am. It was really sweet. It was a lovely moment. The fact the he would stop in the middle of tech rehearsals? There are 193 people on the crew. I'm celebrating by driving to Heathrow airport and flying to New York for tomorrow to see all of you!"
(© Monica Simoes)
Camille A. Brown, Outstanding Choreography, Choir Boy
"I'm through the moon. My best friend called me screaming. What a great way to wake up! That's the alarm clock you want. I'm honestly still processing it all. I am speechless and thrilled. I see this as a time of gratitude. That's the first thing that washes over me when I think about it. Saying thank you to Trip Cullman and Tarell Alvin McCraney and my associate Ricky Tripp and all the people who continued to believe in me. Any time I have the opportunity to say thank you to those people is a time to celebrate. It's never just about you in these moments."
Scott Ellis, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Tootsie
"After nine nominations, I'm often asked whether this morning gets old — but no, the moment when you hear your name announced is still an absolute thrill. I'm so happy for Kiss Me, Kate and Tootsie, and for everybody involved with both shows — these combined 15 nominations are a proud and special moment for us all to share. Thank you."
Kristine Nielsen, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
"I would never have thought that I would be in this position. I'm happy to still be standing and talking after getting this play open. It's been such a crazy experience but a wonderful experience. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, we call it. This morning I was sound asleep because I was sure this was not going to be a day that I would hear anything, so it's such a thrill. It's always nice to be recognized in any way. But I'm going to go back to bed as soon as I possibly can because I have to do the show tonight and that takes a lot of energy."
Brandon Uranowitz, Best Featured Actor in a Play, Burn This
"If I'm ever eligible, I usually like to sleep through it honestly because it stresses me out. And I'm alone this time around. My boyfriend is out of the country. So I was up at 6 o'clock just like pretending to sleep. So I decided to bite the bullet and I got up and I watched it. Which I've never done before, and I don't really recommend it. And I'll tell you something, I have the most incredible friends and support system in the world. As soon as they announced my name, my apartment buzzer rang, and Robbie Fairchild, Sara Esty, and Rebecca Eichenberger from An American in Paris were in my lobby with bagels and noisemakers. It was just a very remarkable, special morning. This season was unbelievably packed with magnificent work so to be recognized in this way is such an honor. I'm going to celebrate by taking a nap. And then I actually have a bunch of friends from The Band's Visit coming to see the show tonight. So I'm excited to see them after and celebrate. It was absolutely a day that I will never ever forget."
Gideon Glick, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, To Kill a Mockingbird
"I'm utterly shocked and deeply, deeply grateful. I was trying to sleep through it but I woke up about two minutes before my category was announced and found out through a Twitter mention. I grew up in this industry and have been working in the community since I was 17, so I feel very moved to be acknowledged. This production doesn't exist without its company, so I'm so happy that Celia and Jeff got acknowledged as well. Right now I'm walking to the dog park because my poor dog has not been out yet. The excitement has superseded his morning routine. I wasn't planning on any of this, so I think I'm just gonna take it breath by breath."
(© David Gordon)
André De Shields, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Hadestown
"Believe it or not, the first call that came in from a friend on the West Coast. He must have been up very early. I wasn't awake. I thought I was dreaming. I am now awake. And I still think I'm dreaming. What a great way to feel. It's the kind of dream that you want to last for the entire day. I'm celebrating by sitting here and committing the sin of pride. Just being still and letting the people love me. It's like a film. Passing before my eyes. People from my youth, my students, my teachers, and of course my colleagues from the show are saying, 'Wow, Andre, we're so proud of you.' As I like to say, in the best way possible, I'm bewitched, bothered, and bewildered."
Bertie Carvel, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Ink
"I picked up my phone and had a million messages congratulating me. It took me 10 minutes to reply to everyone. It's really nice. Gone are the days when I feel any way complicated about awards. Now I just feel absolutely thrilled. I'm gonna go do a show tonight. We can't rest on our laurels — I have to go show people what all the fuss is about."
Caitlin Kinnunen, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, The Prom
"I was watching along with everyone else on the livestream and was utterly shocked. I was not expecting that at all and I'm so excited. To be in a category with Beth [Leavel] who I work with and is just the most amazing human — and then to be nominated alongside Kelli [O'Hara] who has played my mother onstage — it's just like, wait, what is this!? This is incredible! I've been working on the show for four-and-a-half years and it has always been a passion for us. We're all so connected to the show and we're all so proud of it, and to have all of these nominations come in is so incredible and wonderful and we're all so excited for it."
Anaïs Mitchell, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Hadestown
"I couldn't figure out how to make the live stream happen, so I just asked Rachel Chavkin to text me. There's a long text volley with her and Amber Gray — where Rachel was like "Sound design!" "Orchestrations!" — with as many emojis as I could find. I'm so grateful that so many of the brilliant artists have been recognized for that work. Hadestown has taken the long and winding road to Broadway and so many people have put their hands on it and pushed it along and kept it moving. It took a village, so it's really gratifying and beautiful to see a village worth of nominations for people."
Scott Ellis, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Tootsie
"It's always cool. It makes you really sit back and go, 'I'm really grateful for this.' To have both shows recognized is a total thrill. That makes it really special. I think it was 15 nominations this morning. I'm just so proud of that. I always say, and it's not bullsh*t, "If the shows get nominated, it's a celebration of everyone involved."
David Neumann, Outstanding Choreography, Hadestown
"I was slowly rolling out of bed and decided I wanted to be surprised than bite my nails in anticipation. It was lovely. I'm absolutely thrilled. I feel very excited and very proud. I'm equally excited for everybody else on the team. It's been a distinct pleasure to work with this group of amazingly talented artists and lovely people. My takeaway is the joy that I feel and I'm happy to share in the recognition."
Bartlett Sher, Outstanding Director of a Play, To Kill a Mockingbird
"I'm on an airplane coming from Berlin, where I'm doing an opera. I was watching on my phone in Berlin, and I don't think many people here care about Tony nominations. Jeff Daniels leads the company so beautifully. Celia has been my friend for 15 years. Gideon is incredibly special. Adam is very special. All of our designers were recognized, which is great. I'm disappointed for Aaron, but it shows how big the field is and how many great plays there are. He did an incredible job."
(© David Gordon)
Taylor Mac, Best Play, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
"I'm feeling so so proud of Gary and all involved. Our play asks the question, "How can one cope when chaos permeates?" And the answer is, At least on this Tuesday morning: Put on a play that grapples with the horror of the world and put it on with a bunch of exceptional humans. Thank you to everybody who championed this new play and all the other work this season."
James Graham, Best Play, Ink
"I just feel so honored to see Ink featured in the Best Play category, especially alongside such incredible shows and these fellow writers I admire. Writing plays can be a scary thing (especially when they're about Rupert Murdoch!) and also a lonely thing before you share them with others. So to be on Broadway and among this welcoming community is pretty much a dream come true. I'm so proud to be at MTC in particular, alongside Choir Boy in the same category, and to have five other nominations for our show including Rupert for directing and Bertie for his amazing performance as Murdoch. We've only just opened and I can't wait to keep sharing this show with audiences in the weeks and months ahead."
(© David Gordon)
Tarell Alvin McCraney, Best Play, Choir Boy
Choir Boy inspired me, motivated me watching that amazing cast led by Jeremy Pope, and that incredible production directed by Trip Cullman. Every day I knew we had to do everything we could to tell stories yet untold. I'm honored by this nomination…all of them. I'm so excited to see so much of our production recognized, especially along side folks like Taylor Mac. It's humbling. I hope we've made MTC proud. #ForDrew."
Nick Powell, Best Sound Design of a Play, The Ferryman
"This is a great surprise and amazing to receive this nomination in my favorite city. It feels like the culmination of an epic journey with this epic play — well over two years since we first started. It's been an honor to bring the banshees' wails to Broadway, and a privilege to be in the company of the other nominees."
Laurie Metcalf, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, Hillary and Clinton
"It's such a wonderful honor to get nominated for playing this role. It's an honor I share with our brilliant playwright, Lucas Hnath, all three of my incredible scene partners, and the great Joe Mantello."
Mart Crowley, Best Revival of a Play, The Boys in the Band
"Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be a Tony nominee at this point in my career. Everything about this production has been an unexpected delight and to be honored with a nomination is beyond my wildest dreams. I can't thank Joe Mantello, Ryan Murphy, David Stone, and the brilliant company enough. This 83-year-old first-time Tony nominee couldn't be happier this morning!"
Andy Grotelueschen, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Tootsie
"What a crazy morning! I couldn't be prouder of this show, and I'm ecstatic that NYC audiences are enjoying it. And personally, I just called my mom in Iowa and she screamed."
Julie White, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
"I got nominated for a Tony Award! It's marvelous! I'm so happy for our play and our playwright, and so grateful to the nominators for getting it. Because it's a big swing. I got a text message from Danny Burstein this morning. He and I were doing a staged reading of Camelot for Lincoln Center back on March 4, and the day of the show was the first day of rehearsal for Gary, and I couldn't even be there. I asked Danny, 'Do you think I'm insane to do this?' And he was like, 'Yes you are! So do it and you'll be great!' So I did that Lincoln Center benefit on Monday night and then reported for duty at Gary on Tuesday, and by the following Monday I was in a preview. And one thing I gotta say, for all the times the Tony Awards get it right, I think they kinda got it wrong about Mr. Nathan Lane. I know I could not have had the courage to come up with this performance without the support of Nathan. It just was a real mitzvah to have these three particular actors trying to do something that was insane. I feel really blessed that what could have been just horrifying was really pretty fun. I hope this helps people have the courage to come on over and see us."
(© Tricia Baron)
Robin De Jesús, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, The Boys in the Band
"I was trying to cook breakfast with two of my best friends, and they were like, 'Stop cooking!' So we sat on the couch and watched. We screamed when The Boys in the Band was called for Best Revival. That was really, really beautiful. And then we got to my category and I heard my name. The three of us huddled on the couch and started crying. It was perfect. And then the food sat uneaten for about an hour. I got lightheaded! I feel very seen in a way that I wasn't expecting. You never know if it'll happen again, but as an actor, you hope that it does. I feel really grateful to be a part of it."
Rupert Goold, Best Direction of a Play, Ink
"I was greedily following Twitter. I had a couple of people text me, as well. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't watching. I feel super happy, particularly because it's such a strong year, a legendarily strong year, for plays. Just to be part of the discussion is wonderful. It's such an unlikely subject for a play, and the fact that we're still going is really wonderful. It's great that it's getting this kind of attention."
Ephriam Sykes, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Ain't Too Proud
"There's no way to truly express how honored and humbled I am at this moment. Getting to portray David Ruffin in a Broadway show was already a dream I could never have dreamt, and now being recognized by the American Theatre Wing and sharing this moment with my brothers Derrick Baskin and Jeremy Pope!? I'm in tears! I just give all glory and honor to God, and all of my love to my Ain't Too Proud fam, friends, family, and the entire Broadway community!"
Alex Brightman, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Beetlejuice
"It's a huge season with a lot of amazing people and I was absolutely thrilled to be considered and to be nominated. I'm about 10,000 times more thrilled that our show got eight nominations, and so incredibly well deserved for how hard all those people worked. So I am over the moon for them, and I cannot wait to see them tonight. I don't think any actor wants to do their show more than me. I just want to go to my theater and celebrate with everybody. I say this with 100 percent certainty: Our cast is the best cast at celebrating and partying. I won't have anybody come at me for that. Our cast is the most celebratory and wonderfully encouraging and supporting. Somebody could say, 'Hey, I lost a tooth,' and we would have an entire party for it. I can only imagine what this evening will bring."
Daniel Fish, Best Direction of a Musical, Oklahoma!
"I love our show and am proud of the work that everyone in the Oklahoma! company is doing on and offstage every night. I'm grateful to each of the performers whose presence and vulnerability are the heart of the show, to the band , the designers, to John Heginbotham's choreography and to the great crew at Circle in the Square Theater. As a 10-year-old kid, I saw Loose Ends at Circle. It's a thrill to be back there working as a Broadway director and to still be in awe of what can go down in that room. And…I continue to be won over by the stunning music and words of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. We got nothing without them."
Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, Best Score, The Prom
"We have been writing musicals together for over 25 years. It is beyond thrilling to be a part of the theater community, which we love so much, and an absolute honor to be amongst such talented fellow nominees. To be recognized in this way for an original musical, is simply overwhelming. If we could go back and tell those two college kids, who first met over greasy fries in a NYC diner, that they would be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score, their minds would be blown. We share this with our amazing The Prom family who bring this show to life every night."
(© Janie Willison)
Ali Stroker, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, Oklahoma!
"I feel amazing. I'm so excited. We were watching the news, and we saw the first five and then I think it cut out because it went to a news story. So my boyfriend jumped up and got online and read it aloud and said, 'You're nominated!' It's an honor, I feel like I'm dreaming. And to be nominated alongside Mary Testa, who's in our show and who is a mentor and a friend and who I look up to so much — it's just so special. I have a show at 7 and then after the show we're all gonna go out together. Those are really my only plans. This is all so amazing and then I'm like, 'Oh right, we have eight shows this week.' So I'm trying to rest when I can and just enjoy the day."
Adam Cork, Best Sound Design of a Play, Ink
"I'm deeply honored to be nominated for my work on Ink, hugely grateful to the MTC for inviting us to bring the show to New York, and I'm thrilled for my colleagues on the show who have also received nominations today. It's a collaborative piece we're all very proud of!"
Rob Howell, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Costume Design of a Play, The Ferryman
"I am thrilled about these nominations. It's enough luck to get to move our show from London to Broadway, so these nine nominations seem embarrassingly greedy. Of course, I am learning very fast how to manage the embarrassment and celebrate today's news."
Rachel Hauck, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Hadestown
"It's really exciting. I'm in California and at 5:35 this morning, my phone started to ring. I've never enjoyed being woken up at that hour ever! I'm just thrilled. I'm so excited because this musical preaches love, and to have it embraced at this moment is just exciting beyond anything else."
Paddy Considine, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, The Ferryman
"I wasn't anticipating it at all, so I'm quite a bit shocked if I'm honest. My agent told me this afternoon. Apparently my wife knew, but she was waiting for the right moment. I'm a bit prickly around these things usually — I find it a bit strange, but this is great and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm proud of all the nominations for everybody. The whole thing from beginning to end has been an incredible journey, so it's been a nice little bit of validation that people are seeing what you're doing up there."
Laura Donnelly, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, The Ferryman
"I'm so thrilled and honored to be nominated in the company of such talented women. Bringing The Ferryman to Broadway has been an incredible journey. The play means so much to me on a personal level and for it to have been recognized in this way brings me immense pride and joy. The Tony nomination is the icing on top of a very special cake."
Dominique Morisseau, Best Book of a Musical, Ain't Too Proud
"My mentee/former assistant is visiting me and she actually had gotten all of this information and I was slow to wake up. So when I came downstairs she was sitting there looking at me crazy. And I started talking about some stuff I was stressed out about about and she's just looking at me like she has a secret. I think I'm known about speaking out about people's obsession with shiny awards and things like that and I'm known for seeing the purpose beyond it. And I just have to say I'm so proud of my team. I've always told my cast, repeatedly, that we are storytellers first and that our mission is to serve the people that we are telling our stories about. That's our biggest task. And when we get this recognition, that just makes us feel like we're doing our job. And so we feel good about it, and I personally feel proud of my city. So I feel like, go Detroit. I'm gonna find a vegan gluten-free cupcake somewhere. That's gonna be my tiny celebration."
