WATCH NOW! Zooming in on the Tony Nominees: Derrick Baskin

The Tony Awards are like Christmas in June for theatre lovers, and that makes this year's nominees the reason for the season. This year's Tony nominees transported us with the magic of theatre, and we're saluting their work by taking a closer look at their extraordinary accomplishments. Today we're studying up on Derrick Baskin!

Quick Facts About Derrick

His Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

The Show: Ain't Too Proud

The Role: Otis Williams

Up Against: Brooks Ashmanskas (The Prom), Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Damon Daunno (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!), Santino Fontana (Tootsie)

Did You Know?: In Ain't Too Proud, Derrick plays the only original member of the Temptations who is still living. His character also narrates the musical.

Derrick on This Role: "It's a piece that requires you to do more than you've ever done. I think all of us have risen to the occasion."

watch as Derrick tells us all about what this nomination means to him, how he's preparing for the Tonys, and so much more!