Tony Award Archives – Theatrical Musings

By AARON KRAUSE When you hear the name Neil Simon, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is comedy. Indeed, the late great playwright’s early work is most notable for, among other things, snappy one-liners. But Simon’s talent extends beyond his ability to make people laugh. This is…

Sarah Morsey and Kathy McCafferty appear in a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ upcoming production of August: Osage County. By AARON KRAUSE The last time Nikki Fridh performed in front of an audience, she did so on Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) stage, or more specifically, in the dead of…

Photo by Alan Smason Rebecca Luker, a much-praised Broadway actress and singer who earned three Tony Award nominations during her 30-year career, died on Wednesday, Dec. 23 in a Manhattan hospital. She was 59. Luker’s agent, Sarah Fargo, confirmed her death. The Broadway star announced in February that…

Ann Reinking Nov. 10, 1949 — Dec. 12, 2020 Ann Reinking, a Tony Award-winning choreographer who performed on Broadway for 30 years, making a name for herself particularly through her work in the musical Chicago, has died at age 71. Reinking died in her sleep in a hotel room…

While we still do not know when the 2020 virtual Tony Awards broadcast will take place, we at least now know the nominees. The Tony Awards’ presenters, The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, announced the nominees on Thursday. Alanis Morissette’s musical, Jagged Little Pill, leads the way…

By AARON KRAUSE How do we cope ahead in the aftermath of large-scale violence? A group of plays answer that question in ways that make the pieces stand out, said the chairwoman of a committee that recognizes the outstanding work of emerging female playwrights. From 2019, Ripe Frenzy, Benevolence,…

Photo by Charles Giuliano Nick Cordero Tony Award-nominated actor Nick Cordero, an imposing and beloved Broadway performer who played tough guy roles in musicals such as Bullets Over Broadway, Waitress, and A Bronx Tale, has died following a lengthy and grueling battle with the coronavirus. Cordero died on July…

Photo by Alberto Romeu Huey (Eddie Egan) and his mother (Margot Moreland) argue in a scene from Actors’ Playhouse’ production of Memphis: The Musical. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — About a year ago, Ft. Lauderdale-based Slow Burn Theatre mounted a dynamic production of the highly-charged, Tony-winning musical, Memphis. Today,…

Photo by Julieta Cervantes A graceful, thankful Dolly (Betty Buckley) takes in the loving atmosphere at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in the national equity tour of the most recent Tony-Award-winning Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — The woman of the moment rises. She approaches us…

Photo by Joan Marcus Asaka (Alex Newell, in drag) shares a laugh with Ti Moune (Hailey Kilgore) in the Broadway revival of Once On This Island. By AARON KRAUSE NEW YORK, N.Y. — Yes, that really is a live goat on stage. It’s leading its handler toward the audience in…