ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Cast And Creative React To Tony Award Nominations

BroadwayWorld has been checking in with Tony Award nominees all morning! We caught up with the nominated cast and creative from Once On This Island on Broadway to get their first reactions at being up for Tony Awards this season.

Once On This Island has 8 nominations: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Leading Actress in a Musical - Hailey Kilgore, Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Dane Laffrey, Best Costume Design of a Musical - Clint Ramos, Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Best Sound Design of a Musical - Peter Hylenski, Best Direction of a Musical - Michael Arden, and Best Orchestrations - AnnMarie Milazzo & Michael Starobin.

See reactions below, and stay tuned for more! See reactions from all the shows here!

Hailey Kilgore, Once On This Island, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
This morning was a morning that I swore I would treat like any other. I looked out the window and thought to myself, "I'm just gonna take a walk." Cue airpods, fresh air, and Ariana Grande. 8:44 AM my phone rings. On the other end my beautiful parents screaming, crying, laughing...all of it! My whole world was rocked. I literally ran to the nearest tree and held my hand to it. The initial thing that drew me to Ti Moune's story was the sense of love and community. Not only among the people who raised her, but the people who raised her up on her journey. In this journey of mine, I have been so lucky to have a village of people to teach me the importance of hard work, perseverance, asking questions, and most importantly to love. Humbled. Honored. Grateful.

Michael Arden, Best Direction of a Musical for Once On This Island:
To be honored in such incredible company of artists and theatre is truly a career highlight thus far. I am so incredibly proud of the work of all the artists, technicians, musicians, designers and producers who toiled in the sand and debris to make Once On This Island the magical and relevant piece of theater that it is. It's apparent that art is needed now more than ever and I am humbled to be part of this brilliant community. Congrats to all the nominees and everyone making theatre this season.

Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Once On This Island, Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Jules and I thought we had double-vision this morning - when we learned the two of us were nominated in two categories on two marvelous shows, Once On This Island and The Iceman Cometh! We are so lucky to be part of two very dynamic companies, both embracing a different aspect of the creative flow. Congratulations to our fellow collaborators, and especially Michael Arden and George C. Wolfe for their vision!

AnnMarie Milazzo, Once On This Island, Best Orchestrations
It was a privilege to have collaborated with Michael Starobin, the entire creative team and this cast of remarkably gifted singers!

Clint Ramos, Once On This Island, Best Costume Design of a Musical
I feel flabbergasted. It means the world and an honor to be nominated among these design TITANS. Also, it's so humbling and encouraging to be recognized for design that doesn't resemble a traditional Broadway musical-it just means that we have the room for something more unconventional . THANK YOU!

Dane Laffrey, Once On This Island, Best Set Design of a Musical
I'm ecstatic that our show was shown so much love and that the whole family of designers were recognized (along with our brilliant leader Michael Arden). I'm honored and humbled to be nominated in the company of artists I greatly admire. Having the opportunity to reimagine Stephen and Lynn's gorgeous Once On This Island has been the greatest of gifts and an incredible journey that gets more exciting by the day!

Once on this Island stars Phillip Boykin (Tonton Julian), Merle Dandridge (Papa Ge), Quentin Earl Darrington (Agwe), Alysha Deslorieux (Andrea), David Jennings (Armand), Hailey Kilgore (Ti Moune), Kenita R. Miller (Mama Euralie), Alex Newell (Asaka), Isaac Powell (Daniel) and Lea Salonga (Erzulie). The Storytellers for this production include Darlesia Cearcy, Rodrick Covington, Cassondra James, David Jennings, Grasan Kingsberry, Tyler Hardwick, Loren Lott, T. Oliver Reid, and Aurelia Williams.

Once on this Island is the Broadway musical celebration that sweeps us across the sea to a small village-where, in the aftermath of a great storm, a joyous new life begins. It is the tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When their divided cultures threaten to keep them apart, Ti Moune, guided by the island gods, sets out on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

Once on this Island is written by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens (Book and Lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (Music), and based on the novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy. This production will feature new orchestrations by original orchestrator Michael Starobin who is joined by AnnMarie Milazzo.