2014 Tony Awards Special - The Nominees React

We've caught Tony fever here at BroadwayWorld.com, and it's spreading! Follow us on BWW throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more! The 2014 Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Sunday, June 8th, (8:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET/PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network. We're talking to this year's nominees ALL day from BWW's Tony Awards 'war room' - keep checking back for live updates!

Click Here for the Complete List of Nominees!

Rita Ryack, Casa Valentina- Best Costume Design of a Play
I watched online broadwayworld.com and then never got dressed all day until I had to go out later. I just basked in it all day! Everyone [at Casa Valentina] couldn't be happier and it's so great to see such wonderful work be recognized. I am just so happy to work with Joe and Harvey and get to transform those actors. I am never taking my pin off! It is like a home coming at MTC because I have been in Hollywood for the past 20 years so it's even more special.

Brian J. Smith, The Glass Menagerie - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
I'm feeling pretty buzzed right now. Very ramped up! I've wanted to be apart of the New York theatre community for as long as I can remember, so this is unreal. You never expect this to happen. It's all about being in the right place at the right time with the right people. I was lucky enough to get to work with John Tiffany and got to share the stage with Celia, Zach and Cherry. We all share all of this with each other because we created it together. It wouldn't have been the same if we weren't all a part of it. I got the news in a pretty unique way today- I was in the backseat of a Chicago PD squad car. I was doing a ride-along doing research for a part, and we literally just got a call that they had a lead for a guy they had been tracking down. He had robbed an apartment complex. Then my phone starting going crazy in my pocket. It was my mom! I guess all of my friends and family were watching and we hopped in right before they got to the 'featured' categories. I think its safe to say that I might have been the first nominee to ever get the news from a police car. I wish I had the imagination to make this stuff up. I just had some good chinese food down the street to celebrate [Laughs]. I'm here by myself. When I get back I'm going to open up a bottle of champagne that I still have from opening night. I'm not sure why I was saving it, but this seems like the right occasion.

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
"This is such a great honor and I am so happy to think my work is noteworthy. Eric has written me a wonderful character full of love and life who continues to inspire me."

Mark Rylance, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Richard III and for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for Twelfth Knight

My wife texted me to let me know today. I'm filming at the moment, so I was working from 6-8. It's such a delight. I've worked with this company many times so it's a bit unfair, but we are like a sports team that has played together for many years. We've been through many experiences together, both on the stage and in our personal lives, which is a nice thing about working in the theatre. The longevity of the ensemble is thanks to Tim Carroll, who inspires us to work with him and keep working with each other. It a great delight when all of my friends are recognized with the nomination for the revival, and then four of us have the extra pleasure of acting nominations! There won't be any celebrating today- I have lines to learn for tomorrow!

Tim Carroll, Twelfth Night - Best Direction of a Play
I got back at lunch time and noticed that I had about 30 more emails than I normal do, so I knew that something was up. I'm rehearsing in Canada right now at the Stratford Festival so I'm wrapped up in King John at the moment, but I was thrilled to hear the news. I didn't even know they were being announced today! I'm so very happy for all of the actors getting nods and of course Jenny for her costumes, which I hadn't really thought about, but now that I do it makes perfect sense. This is a continuation of the love we got from the audience every night. We were knocked out by the spirit that they brought with them. They were very hungry for what we could bring them. I'm on my own here in Canada and I don't drink on week nights, so I think I will celebrate with a big bowl of pasta.

Jason Robert Brown, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre and Best Orchestrations for The Bridges of Madison County
I'm doing well! It's a complicated day because I love the show so much and I wish that it could have gotten little bit more recognition. I'm very happy for Kelli- we all wrote the show with her in mind so it's wonderful that she was recognized for that. She's doing an unbelievable job and that is very gratifying. It's funny, the announcements happened exactly when we walk our kids to school every day, so we kept them late so that we could watch together. It's strange, the last time that I was even nominated was for Urban Cowboy and we didn't even have kids then, so it was really special to get to share that with them. They were very excited when they heard daddy's name. I'm conducting the show tonight, so what better way to celebrate than to share the music with everyone at the theatre?

Martin McDonagh, on behalf of The Cripple of Inishmaan
I'm thrilled that the The Cripple of Inishmaan has garnered six Tony nominations for its Broadway debut, and I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in Michael Grandage's production.

Adriane Lenox, After Midnight, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
I'm very excited for the show! I've been involved since the Encores productions and I've seen the response that led us to getting a Broadway house, so it's no surprise for me. I'm surprised by my nomination though. It's such a huge season. To be nominated is quite something, to say that you got in. I was not watching the broadcast today, I just knew because the phone blew up. My agent called me, as he did last time in 2005, and said 'You're probably asleep like you were last time, but I'm just giving you a congrats over voicemail!' I already left for an interview that was set up with Seth Rudetsky to talk about a concert I'm doing on May 12, and then I realized that I left food on in the house! So I tried to call anybody to help me- I didn't want the house to burn down on this beautiful day! The food is a little crispy but everything is in in order now. So now I'm back and I'm going to celebrate by laying down.

Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Direction of a Musical
I feel pretty awesome. I'm in rehearsal right now with a show for Theatre for a New Audience, so now I'm juggling that and several hundred congratulatory emails and voicemails. And of course we are working on the most intense scene in the show today! I was in bed with my husband and the dogs this morning and we were watching the announcement live. I'm just so happy for everyone and especially for Hartford Stage, where I am artistic director. It all started there. And I'm so thrilled for Robert and Steve who have been crafting his piece for several years- I so happy for them. I'm going out to dinner tonight with Linda Cho, who was also nominated for costumes. We are going with our spouses, and I think we will have to crack open a bottle of champagne!

Beowulf Boritt, Act One, Best Scenic Design of a Play
I got a text on my cell phone this morning from my prop supervisor that just said 'ahhh' which I took to be good news so then I checked and found out. I am just delighted, thrilled and excited to get recognized because I've been in this business long enough to know that you can do good work and not necessarily be recognized, so this is really gratifying.

I'm not sure how I will celebrate. I should probably think about it but I've been so inarticulate today with everyone calling and emailing, it's just a bit overwhelming. You know James Lapine gave me my first show and really the start of my career so it's really nice to receive a Tony nomination for one of his shows. I was delighted that the play got a nod as well. I hope the show will introduce people to this great work who didn't know it before, I hadn't read the book until I got the show, it was always on my list of books to read. And I find it comforting and interesting to see that life in the theater hasn't really changed much in all this time - some things really stay the same!

Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

This award show is, understandably, close to my heart. I am wig over heels in love with playing Hedwig, so this Tony Award nomination is especially meaningful to me. I also couldn't be more proud and happy for the show's creators, John Cameron Mitchell and Steven Trask, as well as our other nominees - Michael Mayer, Lena Hall, Julian Crouch, AriAnne Phillips, Tim O'Heir and Kevin Adams. All well-deserving and all very sexy. It's been a crazy exciting morning!

Tyne Daly, Mothers and Sons - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
My friend John Vincent Fahey called me, I had been out at an appointment, and he told me the news and then I came home and there were a bunch of messages for me and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Sharon Gless - so it was a very feel-good morning!

The show getting nominated is the best because it includes everyone who works on it - I sent a silly email to Tom Kirdahy that the show's been in our hands from time that it could crawl to when it could walk and now it can run - so it takes a village! Everyone involved deserves the recognition.

To celebrate, well I went out and did what I call retail therapy, I was out of stockings so I bought a ridiculously expensive pair of stockings! And maybe we'll do a little something after the show tonight, I always keep a bottle of champagne in the theater so maybe we'll open that up and have a little celebration!

Harvey Fierstein, Best Play for Casa Valentina
I feel really happy and really glad to see the play recognized. I think of it as the work of all of us- it's not by yourself, so it's a tribute to all the artists and Joe Mantello and the producers, designers... I'm so happy for Reid, and for Mare and for Rita for making them all look so natural in a state that is not natural. I have bronchitis, so I wasn't awake for the announcement. We just had our opening so I've been kissing everyone... maybe if I kissed more ass and less face I'd be better off. I was awakened by calls from Jordan Roth and Rick Miramontez- they woke me up, though I had a whole bunch of calls by then. I'm gonna try to heal today. I feel bad about not being at the curtain tonight though. It's always exciting for the show after the nominations come out. I know, because this is my third year in a row! I'm just gonna get ready for the press event tomorrow and then I'll go to the matinee afterwards. They are more low key, so I'll get a chance to congratulate everyone. Joe of course, is working with Sting right now on The Last Ship. I just feel SO bad for him that he has to spend his whole day with Sting... I guess someone has to do it.

Steven Lutvak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
My boyfriend made us breakfast early this morning and we were watching the live feed on New York 1, and I was scrambling to write down as much as I could, and it was almost as if it was all going in one ear and out the other, or rather in my brain and out of my hand. And Michael was keeping count of the nominations and, well there are just no words ... but I'm sure I'll find some! You know, it's been a very long road getting the show up, we had a producer die, and a lawsuit, just as a few examples, so it makes it all that much sweeter. We're going to celebrate by raising a glass at the theater tonight, and then I'll have a quiet dinner with my boyfriend. It's just extraordinary and breathtaking - it's a lot of things!

Lauren Worsham, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
I was asleep when the announcement was made, but my husband woke me up to tell me that I was nominated. I didn't believe him! It's just so nice to see the theatre community appreciate a show that is about the theatre. We are all just so excited. We call ourselves the little show that could. I'm probably going to celebrate by sitting around and taking a bubble bath!

Robert L. Freedman, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Book of a Musical
I was watching New York 1 with my family, my wife, my son, my mother in law, we were sitting on the couch and just watching the broadcast live and every time we got another nomination we were just screaming! We were so happy for everyone involved - we weren't counting the number of nominations but when it was over I said, 'Oh my God, that seemed like a lot of nominations!' So it was a moment I'll never forget. It means the world to me - just getting the show to Broadway has been a lifetime dream and to have audiences respond like they have and to be received by the Tonys is like a miracle. I am just overwhelmed and humbled and full of gratitude - i can't even put it into words how deeply meaningful and overwhelming it is - I never imagined it could be so well received.

It took almost 10 years to get to Broadway, which is not that rare but we had a roller coaster ride and a lot of bumps along the way, but a lot of people who believed in us and we had to believe in ourselves to keep going. I feel so grateful to all the people who helped us along the way and so grateful for all my family and friends, Jeff Mays and the entire cast - I'm so proud of them and all the designers and, not to sound greedy, but I wish every one could have been nominated. I've watched the Tonys since I was a little kid and in the back of my mind I always dreamed I'd be part of it all so it's just like a miracle.

Nick Cordero, Bullets Over Broadway - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
There's a lot happening at the moment, but I'm so thrilled! I was watching the announcement live this morning. I had decided that I needed to sleep, but then my eyes popped open at 8:15 and I decided that was fate telling me to tune in. This is validation, certainly. It's been a crazy ride, this Bullets experience- a joyful, crazy ride. It's remarkable to think hat not long ago I was a struggling actor and considering other options. I was 35 and loved doing this, but I wanted some solidarity so I was taking real estate course. This show was fate pulling me back. It's an amazing role and amazing gift I'm so grateful to Woody, and Susan and everyone for the amazing opportunity. My day is filled with appointments, but hopefully I'll get to celebrate with the cast after the show tonight!

Chris O'Dowd, Of Mice and Men - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
"I am beyond thrilled to accept this Tony nomination on behalf of my Mice and Men team. I still haven't got over the honour of being given the part, so I'm now a little worried what this new excitement will lead to. Lock up your bunnies!"

Sutton Foster, Violet - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
"I am so thrilled and honored. Violet has become an incredibly special show to me and I am just so happy for everyone involved. Our director, and now Tony nominee, Leigh Silverman has been our captain and has led us all fearlessly. I just can't wait to get to the theatre to celebrate with my cast!"

Paul Chahidi, Twelfth Night - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
I can't tell you how delighted and in shock I am right now. I switched my phone off at lunch and now it's blowing up. I was having tea with a director friend of mine and when I switched it on afterwards every icon on my phone came up at the same time. I thought, 'Well, I don't think it can be a bad news thing...' The first voicemail I had was from Sonia Friedman congratulating me and telling me that we'd been nominated for 8 Tonys. On a personal level I'm so honored and delighted. It's extraordinary. It's beyond my wildest dreams. I'm so pleased with the production. I feel like it's a great day for ensemble actors and a great day for men in dresses. I'm hoping I can come for the ceremony but I'll be rehearsing Shakespeare in Love. But Sonia is also working on that, so if she can't get me out then I don't know who can!

Reed Birney, Casa Valentina - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Well I'm actually filming a movie on Wall Street right now and I've been at the set since 6:30 this morning. I kept checking my phone and text messages and I finally received one from Manhattan Theater Company and after that I got like 100 texts! But, because I'm on set, all I could really do was between takes, whisper to my co-star that I was nominated for a Tony. It was actually a great thing that I'm here because if I didn't get the nomination, it would have been a good distraction.

I think what this nomination really means to me is that after 40 years in acting I am really being acknowledged - you know most of my career has been Downtown, off Broadway so this is really a wonderful affirmation for me about perservering, I think that's the name of the game - to always persevere. So it's very humbling and thrilling - I can't quite get my head around it to tell you the truth. I love this play and my character and I feel so, so very lucky to be here.

Bryce Pinkham, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
I'm actually in DC now visiting my girlfriend and I was initially resolved to thinking whatever happens happens, but when I woke up this morning I shot out of a bed and I said to myself 'what were you thinking? I want to remember this moment!' so I got up and left the house and I actually walked down to the nation's capital and I was standing in front of CapitAl Hill and it was like an episode of House of Cards, you know it's a dreary rainy day here, people are walking and jogging and I almost expected to see Kevin Spacey come around the corner! And my phone was just going beserk with all the well wishes. I think I might have scared the school groups waiting to take the tour of the capital - I was expecting the secret service to descend on the crazy guy who was talking and whopping to himself on the phone! I'll celebrate tonight by doing the show and sharing the moment with the cast - they all worked so hard to bring the show to its Broadway home. It's never been lost on me how lucky I am to be in this position with this musical and I'm so excited to share it with everyone

My girlfriend and I had brunch this morning to take it all in - sort of like the calm before the storm - and I had a chance to talk to my parents in California, wake them up with the good news. It's just one of those moments you are always dreaming about as a little kid, practicing in front of a mirror, singing along to the original Les Mis and now here I am nominated in the same season as the revival of that show - it's just been a thrilling morning.

Joshua Henry, Violet - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
I dint even know how I feel right no! I've never been better. It's been a crazy morning with the announcement, but it's also my wife's birthday and my first reaction was 'Oh, wow!' And then I turned to her and said, 'Happy Birthday?' I'm just so excited to get to go to the Tonys again. I had my iPad out this morning and I was a little bit late, so I was afraid I missed it. James Monroe Iglehart is a great friend of mine, so to get nominated together after doing The Wiz with him in 2009 is so special. I'm going to jog around Central Park and think about how lucky I am to be going to the Tonys again. The biggest thing is trying not to freak out and keeping my voice ready to tonight!

Robert Schenkkan, All the Way - Best Play
I was sitting having a cup of coffee with my lap top open this morning, streaming in the news of the announcement - so it was a good way to wake up! It's a fantastic, a great honor, particularly with the strength of the crowd of nominees - you know Lapine, McNally, I've been nominated before and I'm very pleased to be back, it's a very gratifying feeling. Already today my Facebook and twitter have blown up with congratulatory messages, and I'll be at the theater later tonight, the Democratic National Committee is hosting a reception before the show and they'll be a talkback after the show so it will be a great way to celebrate - it will be working day for me but that's okay, it's very exciting.

Anika Noni Rose, A Raisin in the Sun - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
I feel so great! I feel so excited, it's really a wonderful thing. I try not to watch the announcements, but my phone was all charged up and that woke me up. I really can't even tell you the excitement I have for the cast, it's such an ensemble cast. I'm over the moon and so happy to be nominated as an actor in a straight play. It's an amazing feeling. We are very musical backstage. So, I feel like there will be some of Pharrell's "Happy" playing tonight. I'm getting my celebratory playlist together in my head already!

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
I'm so proud of the show and we're leading the pack for the Tonys and that's just a gratifying feeling - we've been at it so long the show's been working it's way slowly but surely. I didn't watch the live broadcast because I had a little dog named Maud with a full bladder so Susan, my wife and I took him out to Tompkins Square Park and that's when the call came through with the joyous news. So, we ran around the dog park and Maud chased his ball - and it's a beautiful day here. It's a bit of a chilly morning but the blossoms are out and the tulips are blooming so it's like a big congratulatory bouquet from nature! We will celebrate by doing the show tonight. We will have a champagne toast although I doubt it will be real champagne or that would lead to a a sloppy performance but I'm looking forward to giving them all a big hug and congratulations - I'm so thrilled so many were recognized. My overall feeling is one of pride for us all - it's just wonderful!

Leigh Silverman, Violet, Best Direction of a Musical
I was with composer Jeanine Tesori, siting on her bed with her daughter and we were just clutching each other - after so many years of working on the show, to be recognized and appreciated is just a wonderful thing. I feel amazed and honored. I feel that Violet is really an important musical - I put my heart into it and it's about a girl who wants a miracle and the fact that the show is happening is a miracle and to be nominated is truly a penultimate miracle! I'm on my way to rehearsal now, I'm doing American Hero at Second Stage so I feel lucky and proud that I can celebrate by doing what I love to do - directing. But I plan to stop by the theater tonight to congratulate Sutton and Joshua and say 'yay'! I'm just so grateful and happy for this moment - I feel like there is nothing like this show right now.

Mare Winningham, Casa Valentina - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
It's a really nice morning. I love this play so much and I'm so attached to the ensemble. I'm filled with joy. I wasn't watching this morning- and I would have, because I had such a strong feeling about the show doing well, but I was up so late and I thought my internal alarm clock would work since I was so excited. Instead I awoke to a massive amount of texts. I'm so thrilled for Reed and I'm especially grateful to Joe Mantello. I hear there is a press junket tomorrow, so so I think I need to go shopping for that! But then I'll definitely have a celebratory latte!

Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Best Direction of a Musical
I'm feeling great! It's such a great way to wake up- there's is no better alarm than your phone endlessly buzzing with texts. I wasn't watching this morning because I never remember when they are [laughs]. To tell the truth, its always earlier than I imagine. I just had surgery, so was kinda out of it on my pain medication. I feel like I'm in a bit of a dream state. But, when you pass 5 buzzes on your phone you're pretty sure it's good news. Or someone is dead. It's either very good news or very bad news. Really though, I'm happy to get a nomination for myself but the fact that the design team and the actors got nominated makes me feel so good about the whole show. The work we did together... That's one of my jobs- to create a whole team, and that it's recognized makes me so happy. I've talked to everyone already this morning. It's really a nomination for all of us. I will be celebrating with a visit to the doctor. I don't think he'll let me jump up and down yet, but maybe I'll be doing a little jig by later today. If I can put weight on my leg today then that is celebration enough. There is also champagne in my future.

Samuel Barnett, Twelfth Night - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
No, I wasn't watching it because I'm in London at the moment - I've watched all the other awards being announced in the last few days and I've been thrilled for Twelfth Night, but today I was in the gym and my good friend Seth called me and I was thinking, 'Why is he ringing me now?' and he said 'you've been nominated for a Tony!' So, I left the gym and called my mom and started celebrating. It was a nice way to find out. For me personally, it's incredible - it feels like such a massive achievement, but beyond that I'm so thrilled for the rest of the cast and everyone who is involved in both shows [Twelfth Night, Richard III]. We all worked so hard and put in so much time and energy. I think we had 8 nominations if you combine both shows so to have the work recognized in that way it gives me such a warm feeling inside. I don't mind if I win or not, i'm not expecting to win because I've been nominated along with such incredible actors, I'm mostly thrilled for the cast and everyone involved with the show.

James Monroe Iglehart, Aladdin - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
I'm trying to figure out a word that is more than excited... ecstatic- that's the word! I'm ecstatic. I was watching the announcement with my wife and with our cat in between us. I had no idea of what my reaction would be. I really thought that I would probably get up and scream but instead I just crumpled up and cried. This just means so much to me. The first time I watched the Tony Awards I was 17 years old, so this is... well excuse the cliché, but it's a wish come true.

Celia Keenan-Bolger, The Glass Menagerie - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
I feel like when you're in a show that's already closed you don't how it will go with these nominations, so the fact that our little show was recognized was really special. My husband and I recently switched to FIOS and we realized we no longer get NY1 so we watched the live stream on BroadwayWorld on a computer so that's how we found out. I'm going to be doing a reading at Lincoln Center today so I was up early but I would have woken up early anyway to hear the nominations. My husband and I will celebrate - he's been so amazing this entire time so the celebration will definitely be something with him. It was such a joy to do this play and to do it with Zach, Cherry and Brian, going to work with them everyday was such a joy and it sounds cheesy, but without those guys I wouldn't have been nominated or have been a part of something that is truly special.

Danny Burstein, Cabaret - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
I am incredibly honored and so happy for all the nominees. The only thing better would have been for my dear friend, Michelle Williams, to also receive a nomination. But, I am thrilled to receive my fifth nomination and look forward to all the festivities and all the fun.

Sarah Greene, The Cripple of Inishmaan - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
I am so thrilled to be thought of this morning. It has been a joy to bring Martin's play to Broadway with this amazing team and company!

Kelli O'Hara, The Bridges of Madison County - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
My kids get me up early, so I was awake for the announcement, but my manager Erica showed up at my door with balloons and it was so exciting for my kids. It does not get any less exciting. You really can't assume or expect anything. I'm just so proud of the show. I'm breathing a sigh of relief right now though. I'm gonna be happy today. I will do my normal stuff but I will be happing and excited doing all of it!

Linda Emond, Cabaret - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
My dear dresser Kelly Saxon called and woke me up and said congrats... she was screaming and crying. I don't tend to be up this early! I'm very pleased. My phone is so kooky with all of text and emails. It's really comical, with all of the dings that are happening right now. It means that a lot of people are up very early. And one of them was from Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who is on the west coast! Why is he awake?! I know he's a Broadway guy, but man! I'm gonna celebrate by going to yoga! It's a show day so I have to get it together. I have to get sleep and get it together. Being up that early is not normal. I'm still in my PJs in bed. I'm so delighted and happy for Danny. I can't say how proud I am of the show. Its been a joy.

Jessie Mueller, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
I'm very happy! They called Jarrod's name and I jumped and screamed! And then they called Anika's name and I screamed too! I've never watched the nominations before, but one of my best friends came over and brought bagels so we watched together. This time was completely different for me. It's wonderful to be recognized for working so hard. I'm so thrilled for the show because we ALL work so hard. It was a labor of love. From the get go we were all so excited about it and to give the characters their due. And to bring all of it to light to a new audience... We are so proud.

Lena Hall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
I feel crazy! I was asleep when the announcement happened. I said to myself, "I've gotta sleep!" I've never been a part of the award season before. I got a phone call and I talked to my agent first and he said he was so proud of me. I'm really excited! I just its like Christmas morning, but I wasn't expecting to get any gifts I feel like... I don't even know! I'm sure there will be some celebrating today- Michael Mayer is coming to the theatre tomorrow. So, we will get to see him. The show got nominated a lot! We love the show and the feeling and love from every one is amazing, so to be in shows that have gotten so much back to back love is incredible. We've all had a vibe that we are a part of something extremely special. I just want to portray the character in my own way and have fun with it. I'm just so grateful!

Anika Larsen, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

I was actually on a NJ transit train, and just I got off Penn Station. My perfect agent...we've been together for 15 years and he's stuck by me through thick and thin was the one to call me, and it was perfect for him to tell me, and then my phone started screaming and couldn't stop. I didn't know a phone could get so many texts! I was crying at Penn Station...but this being NY - no one noticed me! I didn't set up any plans to celebrate (how could you?) but my best friend is in town and we're going to have breakfast together - seems the perfect thing to do! It feels lovely to have the joy surrounding me.

Andy Karl, Rocky - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Someone said that I am the hardest working actor on Broadway and 'll take that award - coming from a hard working blue collar middle class family, we all worked for hard for what we got. And I might be a Bway kid now and I'm very grateful for that, but I still put in the hard work. I was up since 7:30 this morning. You know being nominated is one of those things that people at stage door and friends kept saying 'you're gonna get this' I was filled with self doubt you never know how it's going to go. I sat there and listened but didn't expect it until it was said. Orfeh was jumping up and down, the dogs were barking and we were having such a good time. I get to celebrate by going to the gym, because I still have to take my shirt off every night I have to look like I can take on Apollo. I'll probably put some milk in my Protein powder instead of water to celebrate, but I still have to go to the gym and sweat go to the show and sweat. But with the acknowledgment today it's all worth it, I'm happy to represent the show I truly believe it touches preople's hearts something they've never experienced before. They think a lot about it when they get home - the love story, the spectacle I'm happy to be a part of it.

Jarrod Spector, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
I'm a little bit in shock! My voice is already sore from screaming when the TV said my name! I was watching as they were announcing but I don't know if I could do it again. I didn't sleep well at all and I had heart palpitations happening. I think I might have a heart attack. But, I did watch! Since it was the first time that I've been through this I wouldn't have done it any other way though! I'm definitely going to celebrate with my fiancé in some way today, but I'm also going to try to get some sleep to rest up, since I'll have to get up early for the event tomorrow. And be ready for the show tonight, because in the end that's what matters.

Terrence McNally, Best Play for Mothers and Sons
Oh yes, I was watching I set the alarm for 7, made a few strong cups of coffee and settled down I don't take these things calmly. Especially since this was a new American play we sometimes get overlooked and we have to work extra hard to make our voices heard. And, the producers took a chance but we found our finding our audience. Of course I want to keep Broadway friendly with musicals, but new plays bring new ideas new thoughts are exchanged. I'm also celebrating Tyne's monumental performance. I wrote the role for her and hoped she would accept it and she did. Her performance is up there in the top with MASTER CLASS. It just sets a standard. I don't want to just focus on nominees, our three men were phenomenal as well. But, of course they get recognition from the audience. I have people arriving in an hour, I promised them bagels - we are working on a show, a musical which I really can't talk about yet. So, I'm working today but I'm very happy. I'd like to take to the day off but that wouldn't be fair to them of course! I'll celebrate with cast after the show.

Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in the Sun - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
I just out found 5 minutes ago - I was asleep and when I woke up I saw lots of missed calls - I didn't know the announcement was this morning I thought it would be later in the day. But, it's brilliant. I purposely don't tune in because you don't know if you will get nominated but then if it happens it's great! I will celebrate by doing a very good show tonight as always. I'll probably ring my family in London. My mom will be besides herself, she doesn't know yet. I'm just truly enjoying the trip to New York and this is like the cherry on the end of it. It's my first time here doing a play. The play has been such fun to do and then we had President Obama come the week before last so it's a lot - it hasn't all sunk in but i'm enjoying every minute of it. It's just wonderful to get recognized, people notice what you do and like it. And it's such a famous award, probably the most famous theater award in the world so it's wonderful that it is now a part of my work.

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