George Clooney, Mia Farrow, Audra McDonald, Tom Francis, Jamie Lloyd, Louis McCartney are among those saying thank you following news of their nominations for the 78th annual Tony Awards.
Noms were announced Thursday morning by previous Tony winners Sarah Paulson (Appropriate) and Wendell Pierce (Death of a Salesman) on CBS Mornings. Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and Maybe Happy Ending led the field with 10 nominations apiece. (See full list here.)
Clooney and Farrow are both first-time Tony nominees – Clooney for his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck and Farrow for her performance in The Roommate.
“It’s a thrill to have 5 nominations for this play. For everyone involved, this has been an incredible experience. I couldn’t be more proud or feel more lucky,” Clooney said in a statement.
Farrow received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, for The Roommate.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this! I burst into tears. I wish my mom were here – she would have been so proud of me,” said Farrow in a statement. I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude to be among these nominees, as this is just the best community in the world. I’m still in the “oh my god, oh my god, oh my god” mode!”
McDonald received her 11th Tony nomination, making the most-nominated performer in Broadway history, surpassing the record she held along with Julie Harris and Chita Rivera with 10 nominations each. She received the nom for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Madame Rose in Gypsy.
“I’m so honored to have been nominated for Gypsy alongside Joy Woods, Danny Burstein and Camille A. Brown. As a Black actor, Rose was never a character I thought I would play until my dear friend Gavin Creel planted the idea in my head. It took a long time for the idea to germinate, and I never would’ve been able to get here without the vision of our director George C. Wolfe, and the immense talent of our creative team and cast. I feel so incredibly grateful to share this Gypsy with the world and to be a part of the legacy of one of the most perfect musicals ever written.”
This year’s Tony Awards will return to Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Hosted by Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards will broadcast live to both coasts on Sunday, June 8 on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
The following are additional initial reactions provided to Deadline. Check back for updates.
Tom Francis, Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
“This is absolutely wild. I am stunned and a bit lost for words. To be recognized among this incredible group of artists is an unbelievable honor and beyond my wildest dreams. Massive congratulations to my fellow nominees and all the nominated shows this season.”
Danny Burstein, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Gypsy
“I am absolutely thrilled – thrilled for Audra, thrilled for Joy, thrilled for Camille, and the entire company of Gypsy. This whole project has been a labor of love and I’m just so honored to be a part of it.”
Henry Lennix, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Purpose
“I’m so thrilled and grateful to be nominated amongst these giants in this category. At this point of my journey, PURPOSE is more than a title it is my inspiration.”
Jennifer Simard, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Death Becomes Her
“My mother was my softball coach and instilled in me the meaning of teamwork. We at Death Becomes Her are a team and I am so grateful for every single player who makes me better. Thank You to the Tony Award nominating committee for this incredible honor.”
Jamie Lloyd, Best Direction of a Musical, Sunset Blvd.
“I’m overwhelmed about the news of our 7 nominations and am honoured to have been nominated for Best Director. Obviously, my first calls were to Nicole, Tom, Andrew, Jack, and Adam to congratulate them as we celebrated with The Jamie Lloyd Company team. It’s hard to believe we have devoted two years of our lives to this production, and I can’t imagine doing any of this without our remarkable company and everyone at the St. James Theatre. SUNSET BLVD. has quite literally changed my life.
I want to express my gratitude to the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, and to the entire Broadway community, who have welcomed us with open arms. New York is my second home, and this community constantly inspires me — it gives us all “new ways to dream”. It’s a remarkable day to be a Broadway theatre artist and I congratulate all of this morning’s nominees. I look forward to celebrating in person very soon.”
Michael Arden, Best Direction of a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending
“I am truly overwhelmed and deeply honored to be nominated for best direction of a musical for my work on Maybe Happy Ending. Collaborating with this incredible team of artists on Will Aronson and Hue Park’s brilliant musical has been a highlight of my career and life as an artist. I am also so proud of the work done by our stars Helen J Shen, Darren Criss, Dez Duron, and Marcus Choi. Special thanks to Justin Scribner, our steadfast PSM and the incredible crew at the Belasco Theater who make the magic happen nightly. Bravo and congrats to all the shows on Broadway this season!”
Louis McCartney, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
“So, so thankful. Thank you to the Tony Nominators and to everyone who worked on Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Thank you to SFP, Netflix, Kate Trefry and our amazing directors, Steven Daldry and Justin Martin. I feel so blessed to be welcomed into the Broadway community. So lucky and super excited. Thank you.”
Brooks Ashmanskas, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, SMASH
“WOW! I’m beyond delighted to be on this list alongside such brilliant gentlemen and to represent SMASH. What an absolute honor!”
Joshua Bergasse, Best Choreograhy, SMASH
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be recognized by the Tony nominators! It wouldn’t have happened without the hard work of the terrific cast of SMASH and wonderful collaboration of the entire creative team.”
David Henry Hwang, Best Revival of a Play, Yellow Face
“This morning’s nomination is a joyful affirmation of the work director Leigh Silverman and I have done over 20 years, to create and refine YELLOW FACE into a play which can bring audiences together, to laugh and think about how to move our country forward. Thank you so much to the Nominators!”
