Broadway Beat Tony 2010 Q&A: Laura Linney

The Tony Awards Nominations were announced Tuesday, May 4th and the Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 13, 2010.

The day after the nominations, on Wednesday, May 5th, Broadway Beat talked to nearly all of the nominated stars in advance of a special two-part Broadway Beat Tony Awards extravanganza. Every day, we'll be presenting unedited, raw "Short Takes" sneak peeks of some of these amazing interviews. Next up - Laura Linney, nominated for Best Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in TIME STANDS STILL. Read the transcript of her interview below!

Click here for the full list of nominations!

Click here for the complete list of Tony Reactions from all the nominees that BroadwayWorld.com checked in with after the nominations were announced!

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Click here for complete photo coverage of 'The Women' and Click here for complete coverage of 'The Men.'

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LL: It's really nice. I sort of see the Tonys as a huge celebration of the year and of the good work that's been done. And I loved - love - Time Stands Still and everyone involved in it, so it's very nice. And when you grow up in Manhattan and you grow up watching the Tonys...I still cant believe I actually get to go! It's really nice.

Bway Beat: It was a dream of mine. I was brought up on Long Island and we had a big TV in the kitchen and we'd watch the Tony Awards...

LL: Yeah! I'd wait, I'd watch, I got special permission to stay up and watch them, I remember the big highlight moments of the Tonys, and I still feel that way. I still feel that way now. Whether I'm there or not, I love it.

Bway Beat: You and I spoke a lot during the run of Time Stands Still. Talk a bit about some of the experience and what it was like.

LL: I had one of the best theatrical experiences doing Time Stands Still. I love the play, I love the part, I love my cast, and there's no better feeling than working that hard on something that gives as much as you give. The more an actor puts into that play, the more the play gives back to the actor - it's fantastic. It's been a fantastic experience.

Bway Beat: Talk about the audience's reaction. I saw the show three times and it there was such a great back and forth with the audience. What was it like for you?

LL: It's just great and you know that's what great writing does. Great writing creates relationships not only between the cast members and the actor to the script but audience to play. And you know, people who get bored during plays, there are certain actors who don't like the repetition, who don't like eight shows a week, who don't like week after week, month after month, and I love it. I love a long run. I feel like it doesn't really quite settle in until your three months in anyway. You don't really learn about yourself in the play, it just takes that time. It just does.

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BroadwayWorld.com is THE place to watch for the best and most comprehensive coverage of the 2010 Tony Awards. Check back daily for new photos, videos and more from all the nominated shows and performers on our mega 2010 site!

Broadway Beat, the popular weekly television program for and about the Theatre World, right here on the web site. Broadway Beat is the premier, award-winning half hour television program covering theatre, music and performers. Each week, the show's popular and knowledgeable host, Richard Ridge, takes you behind-the-scenes for a look at the very best of New York Theatre - on Broadway, and beyond. The show always features beautiful footage shot by video veteran Bradshaw Smith.

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