Jeanine Tesori, who won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Original Score for Fun Home said of Twine, “For girls, you have to see it to be it. My grandfather was a composer in Italy, and he came to this country to try to fulfill that dream. I didn’t realize a career in music was available to women until I saw Linda Twine conducting Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.”

In a separate interview, Tesori, who is the most prolific and honored female Broadway composer in history, said, “I remember seeing Linda Twine conduct when I was nineteen. She is this beautiful African-American woman who was in complete command with all of the men on stage looking at her every move.”

Twine also notably composed “Changed My Name,” a cantata inspired by slave women Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, and written for two actresses, four soloists, and a chorus.  Her work can be seen and heard in the books and CDs of the Silver Burdett Publishing company, which are used by many public schools in the United States, ensuring that her legacy will endure.

Below you’ll find Jeanine Tesori’s Tony acceptance speech.

The post Linda Twine: The Musical Mastermind We Should All Know appeared first on Broadway Black.

 “It’s take two. You thought one was enough. It’s not true. It takes two of us.” – Alan Cumming & Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Awards Hosts

1. “It’s a musical and nothing’s as amazing as a musical” – SOMETHING ROTTEN

2. “Why is she talking like a big black woman?!” – IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU

3.”We were exactly alike. And we were nothing alike.” – FUN HOME

4. “Now I’m stronger!” – FINDING NEVERLAND

5.”Every fond hello ends in goodbye” – Chita Rivera in THE VISIT

6.”Getting to know you. Getting to know all about you.” –  THE KING AND I

Watch more of the performances from the 2015 Tony Awards HERE!

The post Something Rotten, Fun Home, & More Perform At 2015 Tony Awards appeared first on Broadway Black.

“The submissions for these educators by their students and colleagues were extremely moving, and the lasting impact they have made was made very evident by the videos and stories they shared,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, in a joint statement. “We are extremely honored to have this opportunity to recognize their outstanding work in this manner and are thrilled to have them join us on Sunday evening at the Tony Awards.”

Mitchell has taught drama for the past 14 years and has headed more than 70 school productions, including Pippin, Aida, Rent, and Hair. Most notably, in 2013, he led a cast, crew, and orchestra comprising of more than 100 people in a production of The Color Purple to the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska, and raised more than $170,000 in the process.

In an interview to the Star News in Wilmington, NC, Mitchell said, “The things we do in the theater as arts educators are so vital. They help to make students complete. I’m just grateful that the Tony Awards are acknowledging the contributions of all teachers.” He added, “No one takes a star bow at my school. I don’t believe in stars. I believe that the work itself is paramount, and that’s what should take center stage and not your own ego.”

Watch his acceptance speech!

The post Corey Mitchell: 2015 Theatre Education Tony Award Winner appeared first on Broadway Black.

Scott plays the Minstrel in Something Rotten, a musical about two brothers in the 1590s who attempt to outdo Shakespeare by writing the world’s first musical. Nominated for an impressive 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the cast of Something Rotten will be performing during the Tony Awards this Sunday, June 7. But, for now, enjoy their little ditty that is sure to get you excited for the telecast that begins at 8pm eastern.

The post Something Rotten & Michael James Scott say Welcome to the Tony Race! appeared first on Broadway Black.

K. Todd Freeman is nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Sissy Na Na in Airline Highway. His bio includes:

Steppenwolf Company member since 1993. At Steppenwolf: The Brother/Sister Plays, The Tempest, Topdog/Underdog, A Clockwork Orange, …Cuckoo’s Nest (Broadway), The Song of Jacob Zulu (Broadway, Tony nomination). Other Broadway: Wicked. Off-Broadway: Fetch Clay/Make Man (NYTW, Obie Award); Spunk, The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide… (Public Theater); Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Drama Dept.). Regional: Angels in America, Miss Evers’ Boys (Mark Taper Forum). Television and film: “Elementary,” “The Slap,” “Believe,” “A Gifted Man,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “NYPD Blue,” “A Different World,” Anesthesia (dir. Tim Blake Nelson), The Dark Knight, The Cider House Rules and Grosse Pointe Blank.

ON THE LIST HOST FELICIA BOSWELL:

 HELEN HAYES WINNER (Outstanding Lead Actress 2013); Broadway: MOTOWN (Diana Ross), MEMPHIS (Felicia u/s) Nat’l Tour: MEMPHIS (Felicia Farrell), Dreamgirls (Deena/ Lorell), AIDA (Aida Standby) Regional: RENT (Mimi) Atlanta Lyric Theatre*, Caroline Or Change (Radio) Guthrie Theatre, AIDA (Aida) VMT, BEEHIVE (Diana Ross) Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Boys From Syracuse (Courtesan) Baltimore Centerstage, Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Starlight Jazz (Japan). Other Credits: MACY’S Day Parade 2013 (Diana Ross), Knockin’ the Musical (Wynona Carr), Heart & Lights, Joe Turner’s Come & Gone (Molly Cunningham); *Suzi Bass Nominee; Performance dedicated to parents, my Love, WFW III! Visit Official Fan Page for Felicia Boswell on Facebook. www.FeliciaBoswell.com

The post [WATCH] ON THE LIST With Felicia Boswell Featuring K. Todd Freeman appeared first on Broadway Black.

The annual event allows participants to be part of the full Tony Awards experience, including red carpet arrivals and the full awards show presentation via Clear Channel’s SpectacolorHD screens in the heart of the Broadway community—New York City’s Times Square.

The Times Square simulcast will feature special guest appearances and performances.  In addition, portions of the Tony Awards Red Carpet and the entirety of the Tony Awards show—including the Creative Arts Awards which can otherwise only be seen live inside Radio City Music Hall—will stream live, giving theatre lovers a front row seat to all of the award show action.

“We are pleased to once again partner with Clear Channel Spectacolor, the Times Square Alliance and the city of New York to bring the Tony Awards broadcast to the heart of the Theater District – Times Square,” said Charlotte St Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. “The simulcast is the ideal opportunity for local and visiting Broadway fans to enjoy the Tony Awards on the big screen and cheer alongside fellow theatre enthusiasts. We look forward to another successful year!”

The simulcast will take place rain or shine, with full audio and seating for 2,000 guests starting at 4:00 – 11:00 PM on Duffy Square and the Broadway Plaza between 46^th and 48^th St, the heart of Times Square. The event is always free and open to the public.

The Tony Awards will be hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS, on Sunday, June 7^th, 8:00 – 11:00 PM (ET/PT time delay). The Tony Awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League

The post Deborah Cox & Justin Guarini To Host Tony Awards Times Square Simulcast appeared first on Broadway Black.

The diversity in award nominees are very thin this year but the experience and excitement is still there for all nominees. We salute and congratulate all nominees and special award recipients for the potential to receive the highest honor in American theatre is an amazing feat.

CONGRATULATIONS TO K. TODD FREEMAN FOR HIS NOMINATION FOR BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY FOR HIS ROLE IN AIRLINE HIGHWAY!

CONGRATS TO KAREN PITTMAN AND THE ENTIRE CAST & CREW OF DISGRACED FOR THEIR NOMINATION FOR BEST PLAY!

CONGRATS TO JAMES EARL JONES AND THE ENTIRE CAST OF YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU FOR THEIR NOMINATION FOR BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

CONGRATS TO JOCELYN BIOH AND THE ENTIRE CAST & CREW OF THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME FOR THEIR 6 NOMINATIONS INCLUDING BEST PLAY

CONGRATS TO THE MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT AND THE ENTIRE CAST & CREW OF SOMETHING ROTTEN FOR THEIR 10 NOMINATIONS

CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE NOMINATION LIST BELOW!

Tony Award Winners Kristin Chenoweth & Alan Cumming to Host 69th Annual Tony Awards LIVE on CBS, Sunday, June 7th from Radio City Music Hall

As previously announced, the 2015 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre will be presented to Tommy Tune and the Isabelle Stevenson Award will be presented to Stephen Schwartz.  The 2015 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to Scenic Artist Arnold Abramson; press agent Adrian Bryan-Brown; and theatre technician Gene O’Donovan.  This year the Tony Award Administration Committee will present a Special Tony Award to John Cameron Mitchell.

Each year, the Tony Awards Administration Committee presents a Tony Award to a regional theatre on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association. The 2015 Regional Theatre Award will be presented to Cleveland Play House.

The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.

Nominations for the 2015 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Best Play

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Disgraced

Hand to God

Wolf Hall Parts One & Two

Best Musical

An American in Paris

Fun Home

Something Rotten!

The Visit

Best Revival of a Play

The Elephant Man

Skylight 

This Is Our Youth

You Can’t Take It with You

Best Revival of a Musical

The King and I

On the Town

On the Twentieth Century

Best Book of a Musical

An American in Paris

Craig Lucas

Fun Home

Lisa Kron

Something Rotten!

Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell

The Visit

Terrence McNally

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fun Home

Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: Lisa Kron

The Last Ship

Music & Lyrics: Sting

Something Rotten!

Music & Lyrics: Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

The Visit

Music: John Kander
Lyrics: Fred Ebb

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Steven Boyer, Hand to God
Bradley Cooper, The Elephant Man
Ben Miles, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Bill Nighy, Skylight
Alex Sharp, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Geneva Carr, Hand to God
Helen Mirren, The Audience
Elisabeth Moss, The Heidi Chronicles
Carey Mulligan, Skylight
Ruth Wilson, Constellations

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Michael Cerveris, Fun Home
Robert Fairchild, An American in Paris
Brian d’Arcy James, Something Rotten!
Ken Watanabe, The King and I
Tony Yazbeck, On the Town

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Kristin Chenoweth, On the Twentieth Century
Leanne Cope, An American in Paris
Beth Malone, Fun Home
Kelli O’Hara, The King and I
Chita Rivera, The Visit

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Matthew Beard, Skylight
K. Todd Freeman, Airline Highway
Richard McCabe, The Audience
Alessandro Nivola, The Elephant Man
Nathaniel Parker, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Micah Stock, It’s Only a Play

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Annaleigh Ashford, You Can’t Take It with You
Patricia Clarkson, The Elephant Man
Lydia Leonard, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Sarah Stiles, Hand to God
Julie White, Airline Highway

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Christian Borle, Something Rotten!
Andy Karl, On the Twentieth Century
Brad Oscar, Something Rotten!
Brandon Uranowitz, An American in Paris
Max von Essen, An American in Paris

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Victoria Clark, Gigi
Judy Kuhn, Fun Home
Sydney Lucas, Fun Home
Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I
Emily Skeggs, Fun Home

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Bunny Christie and Finn Ross, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Bob Crowley, Skylight
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
David Rockwell, You Can’t Take It with You

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Bob Crowley and 59 Productions, An American in Paris
David Rockwell, On the Twentieth Century
Michael Yeargan, The King and I
David Zinn, Fun Home

Best Costume Design of a Play

Bob Crowley, The Audience
Jane Greenwood, You Can’t Take It with You
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
David Zinn, Airline Highway

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Something Rotten!
Bob Crowley, An American in Paris
William Ivey Long, On the Twentieth Century
Catherine Zuber, The King and I

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Paule Constable, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Paule Constable and David Plater, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Natasha Katz, Skylight
Japhy Weideman, Airline Highway

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The King and I
Natasha Katz, An American in Paris
Ben Stanton, Fun Home
Japhy Weideman, The Visit

Best Direction of a Play

Stephen Daldry, Skylight
Marianne Elliott, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Scott Ellis, You Can’t Take It with You
Jeremy Herrin, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Hand to God

Best Direction of a Musical

Sam Gold, Fun Home
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!
John Rando, On the Town
Bartlett Sher, The King and I
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris

Best Choreography

Joshua Bergasse, On the Town
Christopher Gattelli, The King and I
Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris

Best Orchestrations

Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott, An American in Paris
John Clancy, Fun Home
Larry Hochman, Something Rotten!
Rob Mathes, The Last Ship

* * *

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Tommy Tune

Special Tony Award

John Cameron Mitchell

Regional Theatre Tony Award

Cleveland Play House, Cleveland, Ohio

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Stephen Schwartz

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Arnold Abramson

Adrian Bryan-Brown

Gene O’Donovan

* * *

Tony Nominations by Production

An American in Paris – 12

Fun Home – 12

Something Rotten! – 10

The King and I – 9

Wolf Hall Parts One & Two – 8

Skylight – 7

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – 6

Hand to God – 5

On the Twentieth Century – 5

The Visit – 5

You Can’t Take It with You – 5

Airline Highway – 4

The Elephant Man – 4

On the Town – 4

The Audience – 3

The Last Ship – 2

Constellations – 1

Disgraced – 1

Gigi – 1

The Heidi Chronicles – 1

It’s Only a Play – 1

This Is Our Youth – 1

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Thank you  CBS!

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