Past Tony winners Anika Noni Rose and Matthew Broderick announced the 2011 Tony Awards nominees live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City. BroadwayWorld.com will be talking to all of the nominees to hear their exciting stories of how they heard, who they told and more!
The American Theatre Wing's 65th Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, which are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will air on CBS on Sunday, June 12th from 8:00 - 11:00 PM (ET/PT time delay).
We'll be talking to nominees ALL day so keep checking back! Click Here for the Full List of Nominations!
"We're feeling pretty good. I've been up since 6 o'clock this morning, so unlike those who were sleeping I was wide awake. It's just wonderful because you see a classic show like this get so recognized in such a wonderful season with so many new and exciting shows and musicals.
It's lovely, it's a wonderful gift and the double nomination, plus everything for the show - it's like Christmas morning with a bike and dollhouse under the tree! You are my first phone call, I got lots of emails from folks, but we were feeding breakfast to our twins with NY1 on in the background. I couldn't be happier!"
Kathleen Marshall, nominee for Best Direction and Best Choreography for Anything Goes
"The sun is shining and the birds are chirping this morning! I am really, really thrilled. I am so happy to be nominated with John and I honor Daniel with this who is a dream to work with. It's realy a blessing. I was so sure I wouldn't be nominated that I stayed asleep through the announcements and figured, "whatever will be, will be." And then my phone started ringing off the hook and at that point I knew and just started crying. Being an actor can be a constant hardship, as it's always a struggle to stay confident and secure when you've faced so much rejection. So with this honor and our audience reactions every night, it's just a blessing and makes it all worth it."
Tammy Blanchard, nominee for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"I was asleep when my phone rang my wife answered in the other room. She crept in with a very neutral expression on her face and handed me the phone- it was my manager on the other end and he told me that I was nominated. Once he told me then my wife started jumping up and down and my kids came in and jumped on my head. I was surprised, you know... you try not to set yourself up for disappointment, so it is always a surprise when you hear something like this. I haven't had any time to make any phone calls yet but I just turned my phone on and received lots of great texts and twitter messages. As for the rest of the day I have a meeting at three and I plan to do a show at seven!"
Yul Vazquez, nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
I am feeling beyond fabulous, just so excited and thrilled and still in shock! I was up and down all night and finally fell back asleep at 6.30am, of course only to have a nomination dream. I didn't hear anything when I woke back up this morning so I figured nothing had happened but then I turned on the computer to find out the good news! I am so honored to be recognized with these women in this category. I've had the opportunity to see The House of Blue Leaves and The Normal Heart and both Edie and Ellen are extraodinary. I'm so bless to do the work that I do and then be honored on top of it is just a dream. I can't believe I get to work with these men every night. We just have the best time. It's a thrill to see how the play impacts the audience, and particularly those who have never been to the theater before and that this is what Broadway was.
Judith Light, nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for Lombardi
"I was watching NY1 with my dog, so I heard the announcement live. Once I heard I was just so tempted to wake someone up but it all happened too fast! It is just really exciting. And I knew they would call his name but I was still so happy for Bobby. Actually, I kept my emotions together until I heard Yul and Elizabeth's names called. The two of them, they are my family. When my dad passed away in September Elisabeth was in the room with my sister and me. When I had to visit my mother in the hospital, Yul was with me. They are my family, and I am so happy for them. I spoke with them both, Elisabeth is at the airport on her way to Puerto Rico, but everyone is so happy and it is really so thrilling, we all feel the same way. There are so many amazing artists out there, to get acknowledged in this way, it is incredible. I am so grateful. As for celebrating today, I've got work to do! But, you know, I think I'll go to the show and give everybody a hug and go have a drink after."
Stephen Adly Guirgis nominee Best Play- The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Author
