#The George Mitchell Choir

[tfc2211]

The George Mitchell Choir – Where Have All The Flowers Gone (1963)

[auditionsuggestions]

so hi !! i recently found your blog, dug through the archives. it was really verry helpful so thank you <333

i'm not as much of a theatre kid, though, and more of a choir one, and still kinda new to that. i have a glee club audtion kinda soon and was wondering if you had advice/song recs?

i dont know my exact voice range, but in choir i oftentime have the second soprano part, the alto note are a 50/50 shot but kinda hurt to do, and the soparano one notes are good but its hard to belt them !!

thank you so much in advance !

I'm glad you found it helpful! My biggest piece of advice is have fun with whatever you choose to sing and remember to breathe. The best performances are the ones where people look like they enjoy being up there.

Voice teacher moment (since that's my actual job): If a note hurts to sing, don't sing it! Something is up with the technique there and will likely need a voice teacher or vocal coach to help work out (There are also just sometimes notes that are out of our range, nothing wrong with that). Here's a video that can help you find your range pretty quickly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IejHKpfHso (remember to drop off when something gets too high or too low to comfortably hit).

Rules of Thumb for voice type (Though remember types are more guidelines than hard rules--they are also traditionally gendered, though more people are moving away from that)

Typically female or afab-aligned voice types: Soprano: A3-C6, often a brighter sound with strength in the upper register (Kelli O'Hara, Audra McDonald, and Laura Benanti are good examples) Mezzo Soprano: G3-A5, a slightly darker sound with strength in the middle range (Ruthie Ann Miles, Patti Lupone, and Barbra Streisand) Alto (sometimes called Contralto): F3-G5, a dark (often warm) tone with a lot of strength in the bottom range (Karen Carpenter, Carol Burnett, Judy Garland, Nina Simone)

Typically male or amab aligned voice types: Tenor: C3-C5, similar to soprano, brighter with strength that lies in the upper range (Reeve Carney, Aaron Tveit, Jeremy Jordan) Baritone: A2-F4, strength in the middle range, often a rich tone quality (most common male voice type--sometimes you'll see Baritenor to describe Baritones with a strong upper extension) (Derek Klena, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell) Bass: F2-E4, the lowest voice type, deep, sometimes dark tone quality, strength in the lower range (Patrick Page, George Hearn)

Before I recommend songs, can you tell me a little about what the glee club typically sings? Are they more pop-focused, more musical theatre, or a little of both?

In short though, sing a song you think you sing best and that you enjoy singing.

[the-cat-at-the-theatre-door]

Not a ship question, but I still wanted to ask--what are some more songs you associate with the oldie squad?

I’m out here making mini playlists apparently (though I need to put more thought with Bustopher I think) because I ran with this for a few of them - some of them have even more but I cut them short. Forgive me anon. 

These operate on both vibes and lyrics (As in it’s either about them or I can see them *singing* it).

Bustopher Jones

London Pride - Noël Coward

Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Luciano Pavarotti

Jennyanydots

Make Your Own Kind of Music - Cass Elliot

Happy Days Are Here Again - Annette Hanshaw

Atom Bomb Baby - The Five Stars

9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

Whistle While You Work - Adriana Caselotti

Asparagus

Try to Remember - (Any version but I am very partial to Roy Orbison, Josh Groban and Jerry Orbach’s)

I Won’t Grow Up - Mary Martin

Let It Ride - Gordon Lightfoot

My Back Pages - The Byrds

Auf der Heide blüh'n die letzten Rosen - Thomas Hampson

Mad About the Boy - Noël Coward

Jellylorum

Gonna Build a Mountain - Ruth O’lay

She’s Got a Way - Billy Joel

Mockin’ Bird Hill - Patti Page

Que Sera Sera - Billianne

This Woman’s Work - Kate Bush

Glück das mir verblieb (Mariettas Lied) - (Again any version, but I like Pilar Lorengar’s and  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf ‘s)

Skimbleshanks

Home for a Rest - Spirit of the West

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

Any Road - George Harrison

See the World - Gomez

Parrot - Stepdad

World Weary - Bobby Short

Lavender’s Blue (Dilly Dilly) - Burl Ives

A Phiseag - Fiona Mackenzie

Grizabella 

Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell

Paradise - Coldplay (but specifically the cover by the Celtic Angels or Laura Mace)

Into Each Life, Some Rain Must Fall - The Ink Spots

Change - Tracy Chapman

Liar - The Arcadian Wild

Thérèse - Maya Hawke

My Interpretation - MIKA

I’m the Greatest Star - Barbara Streisand 

The Parting Glass - Cara Dillon

Laura - Bat for Lashes

Old Deuteronomy

The Long Road - Passenger

When It’s Time - Lotte Kestner

All the Faces - Creed Bratton

Cathedrals - Jump, Little Children

Homeward Bound - Bryn Terfel

100 Years - Five for Fighting

Across the Vast, Eternal Sky -  Choir Of Royal Holloway, 12 Ensemble, Ola Gjeilo

Lux Aurumque - Eric Whitacre

[drosera-nepenthes]

The Marriage of Princess Helena

The marriage of her Royal highness Princess Helena to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein took place on Thursday, in the presence of her Majesty the Queen, their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, the members of the English Royal family and a select congregation of the aristocracy, in the private chapel of Windsor Castle.

Princess Helena Augusta Victoria, fifth child of Queen Victoria and of the lamented Prince Consort, was born on the 25th of May, 1846, and is therefore in her twenty-first year. It has been mentioned in Parliament by one of her Majesty's Ministers, and it may therefore, without impropriety, be recorded here, that the widowed Queen has experienced, in the tender and dutiful attentions of this daughter, one of the greatest sources of consolation during her late bereavement.

Prince Frederick Christian Charles Augustus is a younger son of the late Duke Christian Charles Frederick Augustus of Schleswig-Holstein (who ceded his duchy to Denmark) and brother to Prince Frederick Christian Augustus the eldest son, whose claims to the sovereignty of the duchy, as against, the King of Denmark, were made the pretext, for the late war on the part of the German Powers. Prince Christian, as the younger son is usually called, was born on the 22nd of January, 1831, his mother being Louisa Sophia, Countess Danneskiold-Samsøe, a Danish lady married, in 1828, to the late Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, and its lineage is collateral with that of the reigning families of Denmark and Russia. Prince Christian has held commission in the Prussian army. By the express offer of her Majesty, he will henceforth be addressed with the style of Royal Highness.

The small private chapel of Windsor Castle is situated almost in the centre of the Queen's private apartments. Its limited dimensions were, under the direction of the Lord Chamberlain and the Hon. Spencer Ponsonby, made the most of. The seats of pews in the centre were removed, chairs placed on each side, and temporary gallery erected for the commendation of the invited guests. A rich Wilton carpet covered the aisle leading up to the altar.

Soon after eleven o'clock the King and Queen of the Belgians, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince and Princess Leiningen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Arthur, and other relatives of the Royal family, were, upon leaving their different apartments conducted to the state drawing-room, which is also called the Zuccarelli Room. From its containing a number of paintings by that artist. The ceiling oof this magnificent room is a richly embellished stucco. In the centre of the cove are elaborately emblazoned shields containing the arms of England and Saxe-Meiningen, the whole being surmounted by the Royal crown, which with other shields scrolls, and wreaths of flowers, complete the decoration. The Prince and Princess of Wales soon afterwards joined this distinguished assemblage where they remained till summoned to the chapel. In the Red Drawingroom, or Rubens' Room, in which the body of George IV lay in state , was assembled the Diplomatic Body; while the general visitors assembled in what is known as the White Drawing-room. Her Majesty's private band played in the Red Drawing-room. About twelve o'clock the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London and Winchester, and the Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor arrived.

In the course of the ceremony several pieces of music were performed by the choir of St. George's Chapel, led by Dr. Elvey, and including Messrs. Adams, Dyson, Baraby, Tolley, Bridgewater, Knowles, Mitchell, Hurst, Marriott, Bransome, and Briggs, with the choir of the private chapel.

The following is a list of the bridesmaids whore were in attendance on the Princess: – Lady Caroline Gordon Lennox, Lady Margaret Scott, Lady Albertha Hamilton, Lady Laura Phipps, Lady Alexandrina Murray, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Lady Ernestine Edgecombe, and Lady Muriel Campbell. These ladies are the daughters of Dukes, Marquises, or Earls.

Her Majesty – who was dressed in black, relieved with silver trimmings, and who wore a coronet – gave the Princess away. After the ceremony the Princess, who appeared nearly moved to tears, turned round and affectionately embraced her mother. The ceremony terminated exactly at a quarter past one.

The Illustrated London News July 7, 1866

[alevelsamairabantwal]

Week 7

Types of Music Genres

A fascinating approach to examine the diversity and development of music is through its genres. diverse people and places, tastes, preferences, and cultures are reflected in diverse musical genres. Genres of music are dynamic and ever-evolving, adjusting to the prevailing conditions and fads.

There are various kind of music genres. Here are a few:

Pop: With musicians like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and BTS ruling the international charts, pop music is the most popular music genre globally. While pop music remains a popular choice among gym-goers, hip-hop/rap music is known to break most personal records.

2. Hip-Hop/Rap: With 28.2% of all album consumption units in 2020, hip-hop/R&B is the most broadly recognized music genre in the US market. Hip-hop, which is dominated by musicians like Travis Scott, Cardi B, Post Malone, and Drake, is also the most popular music genre among listeners between the ages of 12 and 35.

3. Rock: One of the most popular and enduring musical genres in history is rock music. There are numerous subgenres of rock music, including grunge, indie, punk, hard rock, metal, and punk. Rock bands such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, AC/DC, Nirvana, U2, and Coldplay are among the most recognisable.

4. Country: Early in the 20th century, the Southern US's rural areas gave birth to the genre of country music. Acoustic instruments like the guitar, banjo, violin, and harmonica; straightforward melodies and lyrics; and themes like love, heartbreak, faith, or family are what define country music. The most well-known country singers include Taylor Swift ( prior to her pop music transition), Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Shania Twain.

5. Folk: Traditional music from many cultures and geographical areas is included in the category known as folk music. Most folk music is acoustic, straightforward, and frequently derived from oral traditions. Folk music has the power to convey a people's or a country's identity, history, ideals, and conflicts. Other musical genres like rock, pop, or country can also have an influence on folk music. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Marley are among the most well-known folk musicians.

6. Funk: Funk music began as a subgenre of soul music in the middle of the 1960s. Syncopated rhythms, intricate bass lines, prominent horns, and a focus on the "one" beat are characteristics of funk music. Funk music is frequently uplifting, vivacious, and danceable. Numerous other genres, including disco, hip-hop, rock, and jazz, have been influenced by funk music. James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Prince are a few of the most important funk artists.

7. Disco: In response to rock music's ascendancy and soul music's downfall, the genre of disco music first appeared in the early 1970s. A four-on-the-floor beat, a strong bass line, opulent orchestration, and appealing vocals are characteristics of disco music. Disco music is frequently connected to elegance, fashion, and dance clubs. Numerous other genres, including funk, pop, hip-hop, and house, were influenced by disco music. The most well-known disco performers are Gloria Gaynor, ABBA, Chic, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees.

8. Classical: The term "classical music" refers to a wide variety of musical genres that have their roots in Europe and date back to the 11th century. Complex structures, intricate melodies, sophisticated harmonies, and expressive dynamics are characteristics of classical music. Chamber groupings, soloists, orchestras, and choirs frequently play classical music. Numerous other genres, including jazz, rock, pop, and film music, have been affected by classical music. The most well-known classical composers include Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart.

9. EDM: The term "electronic dance music" (EDM). This kind of music encompasses a wide range of styles, most of which are produced using electronic instruments including computers, drum machines, and synthesisers. EDM is frequently connected to festivals, parties, nightclubs, and DJs. Subgenres of electronic dance music include house, techno, trance, dubstep, electro, and many more. Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and Skrillex are a few of the most well-known EDM performers.

[gregoryrex]

Happy Holidays! My Christmas playlist is out NOW on Spotify. Link can be found on my Instagram Highlights.

This is by far my biggest project to date. With 100+ songs and 5+ hours of listening once you press 'play', my hope is that this playlist will become your no-sweat soundtrack for many holiday seasons to come. Merry Christmas!

"Christmas: a holiday playlist by Gregory Rex" includes music from: *NSYNC, Andy Williams, Ariana Grande, B. Swanson Quartet, Babyface, Beegie Adair, Bill Pinkney, Bing Crosby, Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee, Burl Ives, Carol Richards, Clyde McPhatter, Darlene Love, Dean Martin, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton, Donny Hathaway, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Faith Hill, Florida Georgia Line, Frank Sinatra, George Strait, Harry Connick Jr., Harry Simeon Chorale, HaSizzle, Jobii, John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Mercer, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Ken Darby Singers, Kenny Lattimore, Kudasaibeats, Liz Gilles, Lou Monte, Luther Vandross, Margaret Whiting, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra, Nat King Cole, Paul McCartney, Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Perry Como, PJ Morton, Russell Malone, Sam Smith, Sheléa, Stevie Wonder, Stokley, The Andrews Sisters, The Beach Boys, The Count Basie Big Band, The Crystals, The Drifters, The Fontane Sisters, The Georgia Mass Choir, The Jackson 5, The Ronettes, Toby Keith, Tony Bennett, Tori Kelly, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Wham!, Whitney Houston, and Wynton Marsalis.🎄

-GR-

[najeeharris]

Georges Ninang’s Drive & Dish with Donovan Mitchell

[writemarcus]

Savion Glover, Jason Robert Brown, Priscilla Lopez, More Join NYPL I'm Still Here Benefit

BY ANDREW GANS

JUN 16, 2021

The upcoming benefit, celebrating the New York Public Library's Billy Rose Theatre Division, honors George C. Wolfe and the late Harold Prince.

Additional artists have joined the upcoming I'm Still Here benefit, celebrating the 90th anniversary of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division and the 50th anniversary of its Theatre on Film and Tape Archive.

Honoring Tony-winning directors George C. Wolfe and the late Harold Prince, I’m Still Here will stream on Broadway on Demand June 23 at 8 PM ET.

Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla Lopez, Susan Stroman, Marisha Wallace, and Christopher Wheeldon have joined the starry roster of participants. The evening, as previously announced, will also feature archival content of several Broadway productions preserved in the archive, including the newly announced Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson in The Mountaintop; Bette Midler in I'll Eat You Last; Brian Stokes Mitchell in Ragtime; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot in South Pacific; Christian Borle and Tim Curry in Spamalot; and Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker in The Music Man.

Viewers can expect to see Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared, and Raymond King in Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden, and Larry Pine in The Seagull; Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robin de Jesús, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Eliseo Román, and Seth Stewart in In the Heights; and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard.

Watch Stephanie J. Block Belt Out She Loves Me's 'A Trip to the Library' for NYPL I'm Still Here Benefit

Also taking part: Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings (Wicked), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), Shay Bland, Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka (Gypsy), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), DeMarius Copes (Mean Girls), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), Robin de Jesús (In the Heights), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad (The Politician), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud), Marcy Harriell (Company), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Mark Harris (Mike Nichols: A Life), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Hilary Knight, Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis, Brittney Mack (Six), Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus), Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus, Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons, Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen (Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel (Indecent), Nik Walker (Ain’t Too Proud), Shannon Fiona Weir, Helen Marla White (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Natasha Yvette Williams (Orange Is the New Black), and Ricardo Zayas (Hamilton).

The program will also feature interviews with Broadway artists plus the re-conception of classic musical theatre songs, including "A Trip to the Library," “Wheels of a Dream,” “Another Hundred People,” “Love Will Find a Way,” and, fittingly, “I’m Still Here.”

READ: The Woman Who Fought to Record and Preserve Broadway Shows

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by Boardman and Doran and features direction by Steve Broadnax, Sammi Cannold, Nick Corley, Ty Defoe, Lorin Latarro, Mia Walker, and Jason Michael Webb, choreography by Ayodele Casel, Latarro, and Ray Mercer, with new music arranged by Rachel Dean and Annastasia Victory, arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer, and casting by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tickets are donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. Visit StillHereat90.com.

[the-real-slim-shady]

I’d like to share the list I have of over 50 books I’m going to get from the library once they open

Spoiler alert: (they’re all gay) 

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry

Fanart by Sarah Tregay

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Noah Can’t Even by Simon James Green

27 Hours by Tristina Wright

Dreadnought by April Daniels

We Used To Be Friends by Amy Spalding

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Bi-Normal by MG Higgins

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff

Just Girls by Rachel Gold

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

Beautiful Music For Ugly Children by Kirsitn Cronn-Mills

I am J by Cris Beam

The Spy With The Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

Fire’s Stone by Tanya Huff

The Black Tides of Heaven by Jy Yang

Full Fathom Five by Max Gladstone

Nine Fox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

The Vela by Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, Rivers Solomon, and S.L. Huang

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

The True Queen by Zen Cho

Ship of Smoke and Steel by Djanjo Wexler

A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

The Weight of the Stars by K Ancrum

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

Timekeeper, Chainbreaker, and Firestarter by Tara Sim

It’s Not Like it’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura

Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews

Rethinking Normal by Katie Rain Hill

The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George

Marriage of Unconvincience by Chelsea M Cameron

Echo After Echo by Amy Rose Capetta

Red, White and Royal Blue

The Little Mermaid by SL Huang

Cinderella by Malinda Lo

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The True Queen by Zen Cho

The Devourers by Indra Das

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Menjia

The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales by Yoon Ha Lee

Her Body and Other Powers by Carmen Maria Machado

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Witchmark by CL Polk

The Prey of Gods by Ricky Drayden

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

All out by Saundra Mitchell

[erikahenningsen]

Tagged by @morganhurd

Name 10 favorite characters from 10 different things (TV, movies, books, etc.) & tag 10 people

Pharus Jonathan Young - Choir Boy

Quinn Fabray - Glee

Beca Mitchell - Pitch Perfect

Lemml - Indecent

Teddy Altman - Grey’s Anatomy

Jade West - Victorious

Natalie Goodman - Next to Normal

Charlotte King - Private Practice

Regina George - Mean Girls

Albus Potter - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

If you see this and you want to do it, consider yourself tagged

[musicals-and-more]

2019 Tony Nominations!!!

I am so excited to watch James Cordon host the 73rd Annual Tony Awards on June 9th!!!

BEST MUSICAL

Ain't Too Proud

Beetlejuice

Hadestown

The Prom

Tootsie

BEST PLAY

Choir Boy

The Ferryman

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ink

What the Constitution Means to Me

BEST PLAY REVIVAL

Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

The Boys in the Band

Burn This

Torch Song

The Waverly Gallery

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL

Kiss Me, Kate

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

BEST ACTOR (PLAY )

Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird

Paddy Considine, The Ferryman

Bryan Cranston, Network

Adam Driver, Burn This

Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

BEST ACTRESS (PLAY)

Annette Bening, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman

Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery

Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton

Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL)

Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show

Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom

Beth Leavel, The Prom

Eva Noblezada, Hadestown

Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL)

Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom

Derrick Baskin, Ain't Too Proud

Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice

Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Book of a Musical

Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Dominique Morisseau

Beetlejuice

Scott Brown & Anthony King

Hadestown

Anaïs Mitchell

The Prom

Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin

Tootsie

Robert Horn

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Be More Chill

Music & Lyrics: Joe Iconis

Beetlejuice

Music & Lyrics: Eddie Perfect

Hadestown

Music & Lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell

The Prom

Music: Matthew Sklar

Lyrics: Chad Beguelin

To Kill a Mockingbird

Music: Adam Guettel

Tootsie

Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Paddy Considine, The Ferryman

Bryan Cranston, Network

Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird

Adam Driver, Burn This

Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Annette Bening, Arthur Miller's All My Sons

Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman

Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery

Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton

Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom

Derrick Baskin, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice

Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show

Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom

Beth Leavel, The Prom

Eva Noblezada, Hadestown

Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Bertie Carvel, Ink

Robin De Jesús, The Boys in the Band

Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird

Brandon Uranowitz, Burn This

Benjamin Walker, Arthur Miller's All My Sons

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Fionnula Flanagan, The Ferryman

Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird

Kristine Nielsen, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Julie White, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ruth Wilson, King Lear

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

André De Shields, Hadestown

Andy Grotelueschen, Tootsie

Patrick Page, Hadestown

Jeremy Pope, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Ephraim Sykes, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lilli Cooper, Tootsie

Amber Gray, Hadestown

Sarah Stiles, Tootsie

Ali Stroker, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Mary Testa, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird

Bunny Christie, Ink

Rob Howell, The Ferryman

Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Jan Versweyveld, Network

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Peter England, King Kong

Rachel Hauck, Hadestown

Laura Jellinek, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

David Korins, Beetlejuice

Best Costume Design of a Play

Rob Howell, The Ferryman

Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Clint Ramos, Torch Song

Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Michael Krass, Hadestown

William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice

William Ivey Long, Tootsie

Bob Mackie, The Cher Show

Paul Tazewell, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Ink

Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Peter Mumford, The Ferryman

Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird

Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden, Network

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, The Cher Show

Howell Binkley, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Bradley King, Hadestown

Peter Mumford, King Kong

Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini, Beetlejuice

Best Sound Design of a Play

Adam Cork, Ink

Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird

Fitz Patton, Choir Boy

Nick Powell, The Ferryman

Eric Sleichim, Network

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice

Peter Hylenski, King Kong

Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Drew Levy, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Hadestown

Best Direction of a Play

Rupert Goold, Ink

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman

Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird

Ivo van Hove, Network

George C. Wolfe, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Best Direction of a Musical

Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown

Scott Ellis, Tootsie

Daniel Fish, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Des McAnuff, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Casey Nicholaw, The Prom

Best Choreography

Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy

Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate

Denis Jones, Tootsie

David Neumann, Hadestown

Sergio Trujillo, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Orchestrations

Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown

Simon Hale, Tootsie

Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate

Daniel Kluger, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Harold Wheeler, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Rosemary Harris

Terrence McNally

Harold Wheeler

Special Tony Awards

Marin Mazzie

Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company

Jason Michael Webb

Regional Theatre Tony Award

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Palo Alto, CA

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Judith Light

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Broadway Inspirational Voices – Michael McElroy, Founder

Peter Entin

FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9

Joseph Blakely Forbes

Congratulations to all the nominees and especially to Hadestown leading with 14 nominations!!!

[aliveandfullofjoy]

2019 Tony Awards Trivia

This is the stat that I’ve seen get the most attention, and it’s a really cool one: Jeremy Pope, who’s nominated in Leading Actor in a Play for Choir Boy and Featured Actor in a Musical for Ain’t Too Proud, is the sixth actor in Tonys history to be nominated in two different categories in the same year. Pope is only the second to be nominated for both a play and a musical in the same year, the first actor of color to achieve this distinction, as well as the first member of the LGBTQ+ community. The others are: Amanda Plummer (Leading Actress in a Play nominee for A Taste of Honey and Featured Actress in a Play winner for Agnes of God in 1982), Dana Ivey (Featured Actress in a Musical nominee for Sunday in the Park with George and Featured Actress in a Play nominee for Heartbreak House in 1984), Kate Burton (Leading Actress in a Play nominee for Hedda Gabler and Featured Actress in a Play nominee for The Elephant Man in 2002), Jan Maxwell (Leading Actress in a Play nominee for The Royal Family and Featured Actress in a Play nominee for Lend Me a Tenor in 2010), and Mark Rylance (Leading Actor in a Play nominee for Richard III and Featured Actor in a Play winner for Twelfth Night in 2014).

A few notable firsts: Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!) is the first actor who uses a wheelchair to be nominated for a Tony. Paddy Considine (The Ferryman) is the first actor with autism to be nominated for a Tony. 

Heidi Schreck (What the Constitution Means to Me) is the third person in Tonys history to be nominated for Best Play and Best Actress for the same show in the same year. She joins Anna Deavere Smith (Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992) and Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde). 

Oklahoma! is one of the landmark American musicals and, as of yesterday’s nominations, has received a total of seventeen competitive nominations and a special award in 1993. The only competitive award the show has ever won is for Featured Actor in a Musical in 2002 for Shuler Hensley. 

Director Rachel Chavkin only has two Broadway credits to her name, but both shows led the nomination count in their respective Tonys ceremonies: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 received twelve (eventually winning two), while Hadestown scored fourteen nominations. 

Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown) is the 41st woman nominated in the Best Score category. If she won, she would be the seventh woman to win (joining Betty Comden, Lynn Ahrens, Lisa Lambert, Cyndi Lauper, Jeanine Tesori, and Lisa Kron), and she would be only the second woman to win the award as a solo composer, following Lauper in 2013.

Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud) is the first black woman nominated for Best Book since Lita Gaithers in 1999, who was nominated for It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues. 

If either Kiss Me, Kate or All My Sons wins their respective Best Revival category, they would join The King and I, La Cage aux Folles, Death of a Salesman, and A View from the Bridge as the only shows to win Best Revival twice. 

Some of the roles nominated this year have previously been nominated for or won Oscars. These roles include Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird), Michael Dorsey (Tootsie), and Sandy Lester (Tootsie), while the roles Howard Beale (Network), Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird), and Julie Nichols (Tootsie) have all won Oscars. 

A few actors are back with a returning Tony nomination after a lengthy gap: Annette Bening (All My Sons) received her second nomination, her first coming in 1987 for Coastal Disturbances; Fionnula Flanagan (The Ferryman) also received her second nomination, with her first coming from further back in 1974 for Ulysses in Nighttown. Mary Testa and André De Shields both received their third nominations (she for Oklahoma!, he for Hadestown), the first for each of them since their last nomination in 2001 (she for 42nd Street, he for The Full Monty). 

Some roles that received nominations this year that have previously been nominated or won: Chris Keller in All My Sons (Benjamin Walker in 2019, Jamey Sheridan in 1987), Larry in Burn This (Brandon Uranowitz in 2019, Lou Liberatore in 1988), Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate (Kelli O’Hara in 2019, Marin Mazzie in 2000), Curly in Oklahoma! (Damon Daunno in 2019, Patrick Wilson in 2002), and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! (Andrea Martin in 2002, Mary Testa in 2019).

Ain’t Too Proud is the first jukebox bio-musical nominated for Best Musical since Beautiful in 2014, and the sixth ever nominated, joining The Boy from Oz (2004), Jersey Boys (2006), Fela! (2010), Million Dollar Quartet (2010), and Beautiful (2014).

With his double nominations for Tootsie and Beetlejuice, William Ivey Long remains the most nominated costume designer in Tonys history, with 17 total. This is also his second year with two nominations, having also been nominated for both La Cage aux Folles and A Streetcar Named Desire in 2005. 

This is the first time ever that there are six nominees in the Best Score category. To Kill a Mockingbird is the eighth non-musical play to be nominated in this category, joining Much Ado About Nothing (1973), The Song of Jacob Zulu (1993), Twelfth Night (1999), ENRON (2010), Fences (2010), Peter and the Starcatcher (2012), One Man, Two Guvnors (2012), and Angels in America (2018). This is the first time a non-musical play has been nominated in this category in consecutive years.

Kelli O’Hara received her seventh Tony nomination for Kiss Me, Kate, her sixth in the Leading Actress in a Musical category, tying her with Sutton Foster and Bernadette Peters. Chita Rivera still reigns supreme in that category, with eight nominations.

The Prom is the 14th musical to get multiple Leading Actress nominations. The others: New Girl in Town (1958), Company (1971), Follies (1972), Chicago (1976), Annie (1977), Dreamgirls (1982), The Rink (1984), Black and Blue (1989), Guys and Dolls (1992), Side Show (1998), Urinetown (2002), Wicked (2004), and War Paint (2017). 

If Tootsie wins Best Musical, David Yazbek will be the fourth person to work as composer on back-to-back Best Musical winners, joining Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees) and Cy Coleman (City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies). 

With both Ain’t Too Proud and Hadestown, This is the fifth time that two shows received at least two nominations in Featured Actor in a Musical. The others are Fiorello! and The Sound of Music (1960), The Producers and The Full Monty (2001), Hairspray and Movin’ Out (2003), and Something Rotten! and An American in Paris (2015).

Scott Ellis (Tootsie) has broken his tie with James Lapine to become the director with most nominations for Direction of a Musical without a win.

With his nomination for Kiss Me, Kate, orchestrator Larry Hochman is a nine-time Tony nominee and is now second behind Jonathan Tunick as the most nominated orchestrator of all-time.

Peter Nigrini is the first person in Tonys history nominated for both Scenic Design of a Musical and Lighting Design of a Musical in the same year. He’s nominated for Ain’t Too Proud’s set with Robert Brill and for Beetlejuice’s lights with Kenneth Posner.

Some stats on how many times the ten nominated directors have been nominated before: this is the tenth directing nomination for Gary’s George C. Wolfe (previously won for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches in 1993 and Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk in 1996, and previously nominated for Jelly’s Last Jam in 1992, Angels in America: Perestroika in 1994, Caroline, or Change in 2004, The Normal Heart with Joel Grey in 2011, Lucky Guy in 2013, Shuffle Along in 2016, and The Iceman Cometh in 2018); this is the ninth directing nomination for Tootsie’s Scott Ellis (previously nominated for She Loves Me in 1994, Steel Pier in 1997, 1776 in 1998, Twelve Angry Men in 2005, Curtains in 2007, The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 2013, You Can’t Take It With You in 2015, and She Loves Me in 2016) and To Kill a Mockingbird’s Bartlett Sher (previously won for South Pacific in 2008, and previously nominated for The Light in the Piazza in 2005, Awake and Sing! in 2006, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone in 2009, Golden Boy in 2013, The King and I in 2015, Oslo in 2017, and My Fair Lady in 2018); this is the fifth directing nomination for Ain’t Too Proud’s Des McAnuff (previously won for Big River in 1985 and The Who’s Tommy in 1993, and previously nominated for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1995 and Jersey Boys in 2006) and The Prom’s Casey Nicholaw (previously won with Trey Parker for The Book of Mormon in 2011, and previously nominated for The Drowsy Chaperone in 2006, Something Rotten! in 2015, and Mean Girls in 2018); this is the second directing nomination for Hadestown’s Rachel Chavkin (previously nominated for Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 in 2017), Ink’s Rupert Goold (previously nominated for King Charles III in 2016), The Ferryman’s Sam Mendes (previously nominated with Rob Marshall for Cabaret in 1998), and Network’s Ivo van Hove (previously won for A View from the Bridge in 2016); this is the first directing nomination for Daniel Fish (Oklahoma!).

[broadwaycom]

Here's What the Broadway.com Staff Is Looking Forward to Seeing in 2019

January 8 - Choir Boy Opens on Broadway

Moonlight scribe Tarell Alvin McCraney's 2013 drama Choir Boy will reunite stars of the acclaimed off-Broadway debut production, including Jeremy Pope, Tony winner Chuck Cooper and Tony nominee Austin Pendleton with original off-Broadway director Trip Cullman. The story centers on Pharus (Pope), a talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of the school's legendary gospel choir.

February 19 - Merrily We Roll Along Opens Off-Broadway

The innovative company Fiasco Theater will present a new production of George Furth and Stephen Sondheim's iconic musical Merrily We Roll Along. Fiasco's Co-Artistic Director Noah Brody directs the show, which revolves around a former composer named Franklin Shepard, who has abandoned his friends and music career to become a Hollywood producer. The musical goes backward, showing snapshots of his life.

March 14 - Kiss Me, Kate Opens on Broadway

Time to brush up your Shakespeare! Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase are set to star in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate at Studio 54. The story centers on a cast putting on a musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and offstage between Fred Graham (Chase), the show's director, producer and star, and the leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (O'Hara).

March 21 - Ain't Too Proud Opens on Broadway Get ready 'cause here the Temptations musical comes! With a score filled with Motown classics, Ain't Too Proud chronicles the life and times of The Temptations, one of the greatest R&B groups of all time. The musical stars Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin, Jarvis B. Manning Jr. as Al Bryant, James Harkness as Paul Williams and Jeremy Pope (yes, from Choir Boy) as Eddie Kendricks.

April 11 - Gary Opens on Broadway

Tony winners and comedy royals Nathan Lane and Andrea Martin return to Broadway this season in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, a new comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Taylor Mac. Gary is set during the fall of the Roman Empire, when the years of bloody battles are over: The civil war has ended. There are casualties everywhere, and two very lowly servants (played by Lane and Martin) are charged with cleaning up the bodies.

April 17 - Hadestown Opens on Broadway

Hadestown, the new musical by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, follows the mythical quest of Orpheus to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Casting has yet to be announced for Broadway, but original stars of the 2016 off-Broadway premiere Patrick Page and Amber Gray as well as Eva Noblezada, André De Shields and Reeve Carney are currently appearing in the London production.

April 18 - Hillary and Clinton Opens on Broadway

Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow will star in Lucas Hnath's Hillary and Clinton, which examines the politics of marriage, gender roles and the limitations of experience and inevitability in a look at a dynasty in crisis. During the early days of 2008, former First Lady Hillary (Metcalf) is in a desperate bid to save her campaign for President. Her husband, Bill (Lithgow), sees things one way; her campaign manager sees things another.

April 25 - Beetlejuice Opens on Broadway

Beetlejuice, the stage adaptation of the Tim Burton film, spotlights teenager Lydia Deetz, who calls on a ghost-with-the-most to scare away her insufferable parents: Beetlejuice! He comes up with the perfect plan, which involves exorcism, arranged marriages and a girl scout who gets scared out of her wits. Tony nom Alex Brightman was praised for his performance in the titular role during Washington, D.C.'s pre-Broadway run.

July 25 - Moulin Rouge! Opens on Broadway

The musical based on Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film stars Tony winner Karen Olivo opposite Broadway favorite Aaron Tveit as the dazzling, entrancing chanteuse, Satine and lovesick writer, Christian, respectively. Their lives collide in Paris' Moulin Rouge with its many characters. The cast includes six-time Tony nominee Danny Burstein, Tony nominee Sahr Ngaujah, Robyn Hurder and Tam Mutu.

December 10 - West Side Story Bows on Broadway Something's coming, something good! Tony winner Ivo van Hove will helm a new Broadway revival of Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's West Side Story that will begin performances next year at a theater to be announced. For the first time ever in the United States, this production will feature all-new choreography by the internationally acclaimed Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.

[popculturebrain]

Best Musical Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations Beetlejuice Hadestown The Prom Tootsie

Best Play Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus by Taylor Mac Ink by James Graham What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck

Best Revival of a Musical Kiss Me, Kate Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Best Revival of a Play Arthur Miller’s All My Sons The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley Burn This Torch Song by Harvey Fierstein The Waverly Gallery by Kenneth Lonergan

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom Derrick Baskin, Ain’t Too Proud Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice Damon Daunno, Oklahoma! Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom Beth Leavel, The Prom Eva Noblezada, Hadestown Kelli O’Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Paddy Considine, The Ferryman Bryan Cranston, Network Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird Adam Driver, Burn This Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Annette Bening, Arthur Miller's All My Sons Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Book of a Musical Ain’t Too Proud, Dominique Morisseau Beetlejuice, Scott Brown and Anthony King Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell The Prom, Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin Tootsie, Robert Horn

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Be More Chill, Joe Iconis Beetlejuice, Eddie Perfect Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell The Prom, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin To Kill a Mockingbird, Adam Guettel Tootsie, David Yazbek

Best Direction of a Musical Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown Scott Ellis, Tootsie Daniel Fish, Oklahoma! Des McAnuff, Ain’t Too Proud Casey Nicholaw, The Prom

Best Direction of a Play Rupert Goold, Ink Sam Mendes, The Ferryman Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird Ivo van Hove, Network George C. Wolfe, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Andre De Shields, Hadestown Andy Grotelueschen, Tootsie Patrick Page, Hadestown Jeremy Pope, Ain’t Too Proud Ephraim Sykes, Ain’t Too Proud

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Lilli Cooper, Tootsie Amber Gray, Hadestown Sarah Stiles, Tootsie Ali Stroker, Oklahoma! Mary Testa, Oklahoma!

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play Bertie Carvel, Ink Robin De Jesús, The Boys in the Band Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird Brandon Uranowitz, Burn This Benjamin Walker, Arthur Miller's All My Sons

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play Fionnula Flanagan, The Ferryman Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird Kristine Nielsen, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Julie White, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Ruth Wilson, King Lear

Best Choreography Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate Denis Jones, Tootsie David Neumann, Hadestown Sergio Trujillo, Ain't Too Proud

Best Orchestrations Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate Daniel Kluger, Oklahoma! Simon Hale, Tootsie Harold Wheeler, Ain’t Too Proud

Best Scenic Design of a Musical Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Ain’t Too Proud Peter England, King Kong Rachel Hauck, Hadestown Laura Jellinek, Oklahoma! David Korins, Beetlejuice

Best Scenic Design of a Play Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird Bunny Christie, Ink Rob Howell, The Ferryman Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Jan Versweyveld, Network

Best Costume Design of a Musical Michael Krass, Hadestown William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice William Ivey Long, Tootsie Bob Mackie, The Cher Show Paul Tazewell, Ain’t Too Proud

Best Costume Design of a Play Rob Howell, The Ferryman Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet Clint Ramos, Torch Song Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Sound Design of a Musical Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice Peter Hylenski, King Kong Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain’t Too Proud Drew Levy, Oklahoma! Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Hadestown

Best Sound Design of a Play Adam Cork, Ink Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird Fitz Patton, Choir Boy Nick Powell, The Ferryman Eric Sleichim, Network

Best Lighting Design of a Musical Kevin Adams, The Cher Show Howell Binkley, Ain’t Too Proud Bradley King, Hadestown Peter Mumford, King Kong Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini, Beetlejuice

Best Lighting Design of a Play Neil Austin, Ink Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Peter Mumford, The Ferryman Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden, Network

[choralmusicghana]

George François & Friends raise funds for New Horizon Special School

Over the last weekend, Dr. George François, a New York based Ghanaian concert pianist, held a fundraising concert in support of the New Horizon Special School.

Hope Concert ‘19, supported by the Australian High Commission, featured performances with Fulbright scholar Dr. Cristina Ruotolo and celebrated cellist Sally Singer. The main concert performances were preceded by an exhibition of works from Michael Bortei-Doku and Adjei Sowah, serenaded by a string quartet assembled from some of the best musicians from Accra. 

The fundraiser was the climax of two weeks of musical activities surrounding George's visit to his home country. The visiting pianist held two masterclasses for beginner and advanced pianists at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner, while Dr. Singer led a class for string players on the cello, double bass, viola and violin.

The trio also held a number of private concerts, including one at the US Ambassador's residence and the Ghana club.

The New Horizon School was started in the early 1970s as a response to the plight of Helen, daughter of the founder Salome François, who had developed neurological problems as a result of a medical misdiagnosis. The school, located in Cantonments, Accra, provides education, vocational training and employment for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Salome François’ vision of helping intellectually challenged persons to live fulfilling lives has earned her the support of several donors touched by her effort to transform a personal tragedy into hope for many children.

The concert proper featured Dr. George François on a piano, playing JS Bach’s Partita No. 2 in C minor and Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31 in B♭ minor. The first half of the concert ended with a performance of the first two movements from Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op 49.

After an intermission which included students from the school on a catwalk and a fundraiser auction of some items they had made at school, the second half of performances saw four singers from Seasonal House Opera - a Ghanaian company specialising in operatic singing, on stage with Dr. François.

Joseph Quaynor performed La Donna è Mobile from Verdi’s “Rigoletto”, Mitchelle Ajeigbe impressed the audience with Mozart’s Voi Che Sapete and Leslie Carine left them stunned with Der Hölle Rache Kocht in Meinem Herzen, by the same composer. 

Baritone Kennedy Dankwa also sang Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous le Rendre from Bizet’s “Carmen”. The quartet ended their performances with Luigi Denza’s Funiculì, Funiculà! 

All soloists are choristers with Harmonious Chorale, one of Ghana’s most internationally successful choirs.

Ms Nhyira Coleman, a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, brought the performances to a close with a special tribute song for Mrs. François. She was also accompanied by George.

The visit marked an important few days for the growing classical music community in Accra, which had the opportunity to interact with some of the finest players from the United States, and with patrons of the arts. 

Dr. Singer and François’ visit to Ghana came at the end of the visit of the Junge Kammerphilharmonie Rhein-Neckar to the National Symphony Orchestra, and concluded only a week before the NSO’s own “Evening Classicals” concert. 

Along with the climax of a year of live performances at Afro Classical Nights late last month, August and September 2019 have turned out to be a success for classical music in Accra.

[broadwaybaberoni]

Tony Award Nominations 2019 (By Show)

Musicals

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations (12)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Derrick Baskin)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Jeremy Pope)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Ephraim Sykes)

Best Book of a Musical (Dominique Morisseau)

Best Choreography (Sergio Trujillo)

Best Orchestrations (Harold Wheeler)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Paul Tazewell)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Steve Canyon Kennedy)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley)

Best Direction of a Musical (Des McAnuff)

Be More Chill (1)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis)

Beetlejuice (8)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Alex Brightman)

Best Book of a Musical (Scott Brown & Anthony King)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Eddie Perfect)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Korins)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (William Ivey Long)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Peter Hylenski)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini)

The Cher Show (3)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Stephanie J. Block)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Bob Mackie)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kevin Adams)

Hadestown (14)

Best Musical

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Eva Noblezada)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (André De Shields)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Patrick Page)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Amber Gray)

Best Book of a Musical (Anaïs Mitchell)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell)

Best Choreography (David Neumann)

Best Orchestrations (Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Rachel Hauck)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Michael Krass)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Bradley King)

Best Direction of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin)

King Kong (3)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Peter England)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Peter Hylenski)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Peter Mumford)

Kiss Me, Kate (4)

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Kelli O’Hara)

Best Choreography (Warren Carlyle)

Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman)

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (8)

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical  (Damon Daunno)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Ali Stroker)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Mary Testa)

Best Orchestrations (Daniel Kluger)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Laura Jellinek)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Drew Levy)

Best Direction of a Musical (Daniel Fish)

The Prom (7)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Brooks Ashmanskas)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Caitlin Kinnunen)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Beth Leavel)

Best Book of a Musical (Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin)

Best Original Score (Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin)

Best Direction of a Musical (Casey Nicholaw)

Tootsie (11)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Santino Fontana)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Andy Grotelueschen)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Lilli Cooper)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Sarah Stiles)

Best Book of a Musical (Robert Horn)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by David Yazbeck)

Best Choreography (Dennis Jones)

Best Orchestrations (Simon Hale)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (William Ivey Long)

Best Direction of a Musical (Scott Ellis)

 Plays

Arthur Millers All My Sons (3)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Annette Bening)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Benjamin Walker)

Bernadette/Hamlet (2)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Janet McTeer)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Toni-Leslie James)

The Boys in the Band (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Robin de Jesús)

Burn This (3)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Adam Driver)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Brandon Uranowitz)

Choir Boy (4)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Jeremy Pope)

Best Choreography (Camille A. Brown)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Fitz Patton)

The Ferryman (9)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Paddy Considine)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Laura Donnelly)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Fionnula Flanagan)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Bob Howell)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Rob Howell)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Nick Powell)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Peter Mumford)

Best Direction of a Play (Sam Mendes)

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (7)

Best Play

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Kristine Nielsen)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Julie White)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Santo Loquasto)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Ann Roth)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer)

Best Direction of a Play (George C. Wolfe)

Hillary and Clinton (1)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Laurie Metcalf)

Ink (6)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Bertie Carvel)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Bunny Christie)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Adam Cork)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Neil Austin)

Best Direction of a Play (Rupert Goold)

To Kill a Mockingbird (9)

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Jeff Daniels)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Gideon Glick)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Celia Keenan-Bolger)

Best Original Score (Music by Adam Guettel)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Miriam Buether)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Ann Roth)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Scott Lehrer)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jennifer Tipton)

Best Direction of a Play (Bartlett Sher)

King Lear (1)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Ruth Wilson)

Network (5)

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Bryan Cranston)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Jan Versweyveld)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Eric Sleichim)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden)

Best Direction of a Play (Ivo Van Hove)

Torch Song (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Clint Ramos)

The Waverly Gallery (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Elaine May)

What the Constitution Means to Me (2)

Best Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Heidi Schreck)