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Chicago Tribune
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night
NEW YORK — Twenty-nine shows on Broadway got Tony Award nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy — and the box office attention they usually bring. Here are some key things to know as Broadway's biggest night approaches, including how to watch, who is poised to make history, what old favorite gets to take a victory lap and how you can see George Clooney on Broadway from the comfort of your couch. The Tonys will be broadcast to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. central time, live from Radio City Music Hall. On CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, the 'Wicked' star, will be making her debut hosting the Tonys. She won the lead actress in a musical Tony in 2016 for 'The Color Purple' and will have just released her new album, 'I Forgive You.' A pre-show will be broadcast on Pluto TV from 5:40 p.m.-7:00 p.m. central time, where some Tonys will be handed out. Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry will host that telecast. Viewers can access it on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the 'Live Music' channel, found within the Entertainment category on the service. A total of 26 competitive categories, from lead and featured actors to scenic, costume and lighting design. Some technical award handouts may be pre-taped and winners won't appear on the live show, only cut down into edited bits sandwiched into the telecast. There are three of them: 'Buena Vista Social Club,' which takes its inspiration from Wim Wenders' 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary; 'Death Becomes Her,' based on the 1992 cult classic film; and 'Maybe Happy Ending,' a rom-com musical about a pair of androids. Each have a leading 10 nominations. For new musicals, it's 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Dead Outlaw,' 'Death Becomes Her,' 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.' For new plays, it's 'English,' 'The Hills of California,' 'John Proctor Is the Villain,' 'Oh, Mary!' and 'Purpose.' Many of the races are unusually tight this year, the product of a Broadway heaving with shows after having largely rebounded from the pandemic. 'I haven't seen one nominated show that I haven't been wowed by. Everything brings something,' says Lowe Cunningham, lead producer of 'Death Becomes Her' and also a Tony voter. 'How dare the Broadway community come together with such excellent work,' she jokes. 'I needed everything else to be much worse, and I don't appreciate it.' Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards' history, could possibly extending her Tony lead. Already the record holder for most acting wins with six Tonys, McDonald could add to that thanks to her leading turn in an acclaimed revival of 'Gypsy.' She will push the record for a performer to most wins with seven if she prevails on Tony night. And Kara Young — the first Black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years — could become the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively should she win for her role in the play 'Purpose.' Other possible firsts: — Daniel Dae Kim could becomes the first Asian winner in the category of best leading actor in a play for his work in a revival of 'Yellow Face.' And Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are vying to become the first female actors of Iranian descent to win a Tony. Normally, shows open for several years don't get any Tony telecast attention but 'Hamilton' is no normal show. The original cast will celebrate the show's 10th anniversary on Broadway with a performance featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, Ariana DeBose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan and Phillipa Soo. Any repeat of last year, when Jay-Z's electrifying reunion with Alicia Keys on what appeared to be a live duet of 'Empire State of Mind' was actually pre-taped hours before the live show. The appearance by the rapper in support of Keys' musical 'Hell's Kitchen' turned out to be a piece of Hollywood trickery, undercutting the Broadway community's full-throated embrace of live singing and dancing. The health of Broadway — once very much in doubt during the pandemic lockdown — is now very good, at least in terms of box office. The 2024-2025 season took in $1.9 billion, the highest-grossing season in recorded history, overtaking the pre-pandemic previous high of $1.8 billion during the 2018-2019 season. In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, the second best attended season on record, behind only 2018-2019. But sky-high ticket prices have led to fears that Broadway is getting financially out of touch. A revival of 'Othello' with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for top-grossing play in Broadway history with a gross of $2,818,297 for eight performances, fueled by some seats going for as high as $921. Even if you haven't been able to get to Broadway this season, you can still see one of the shows. The night before the Tonys, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' — starring and co-written by Clooney, a Tony acting nominee — will stream across CNN properties.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How Megan Hilty, a Tony Nominee, Spends Her Show Days
For 20 hours a week, Megan Hilty is a self-obsessed, vindictive, fading movie star. Then she spends the rest of her time trying to make it up to everyone. Ms. Hilty, 44, known for her starring role in the NBC musical series 'Smash' and her turn as Glinda in 'Wicked' on Broadway, returned to the stage late last year as the aging-averse Madeline Ashton in a musical adaptation of the 1992 movie 'Death Becomes Her.' She has been nominated for the best actress in a musical Tony Award for the role, which she describes as the most physically demanding one she has undertaken. 'I'm not just going to work, singing and dancing, and that's it,' she said. 'It's way more involved than it seems.' But doing so meant uprooting her family from Los Angeles. 'It was a big ask,' she said. 'Not only did they leave their life as they knew it; I then basically left them, because my job is all-encompassing.' Making it up to them has meant being extra intentional with family time. 'Sunday nights are our family dinner night,' she said. 'The phone goes off and I'm theirs.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Williams on Returning to Broadway With ‘Death Becomes Her,' Her Tony Snub and Beyoncé's Backstage Visit
Michelle Williams may not be a Tony nominee this year, but in her estimation, she still has plenty to celebrate. The former member of Destiny's Child is back on Broadway for the first time in seven years, originating the role of the mysterious mystic Viola Van Horne in Universal's new adaptation of the campy, macabre 1992 movie comedy 'Death Becomes Her.' Earlier this month, 'Death Becomes Her' racked up ten Tony nominations, tying with 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Buena Vista Social Club' for the most nominated show of the year. More from Variety Michelle Williams Says It Was 'Horrible' Living With Ryan Gosling During 'Blue Valentine' Production and Doing 'Improvisations' as a Struggling Couple: 'We Need to Burn It Down' Broadway's New Tony Icons: How Cole Escola, Sadie Sink and Fina Strazza Define the Theater Awards Race 'Death Becomes Her' Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Leaned Into Old Theater Magic for Helen's Hole-in-the-Stomach Moment and Other Iconic Looks From the Original Film Williams' name wasn't one of the ones called that morning. 'It stung a little bit,' she admitted over lunch not long after the nominations announcement on May 2. 'But I was like: Girl, you're back on Broadway after you didn't think you ever would be. Who's the winner? I'm still the winner! That fixed me.' In the years since Destiny's Child disbanded, Williams has carved out a career as a solo artist with a string of gospel hits under her belt. She's also become something of a stage regular, following up her 2003 Broadway debut in 'Aida' with stints in 'Chicago' on Broadway and in the West End, 'The Color Purple' in Chicago, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' on tour, and more. In 2018, Williams stepped into the Tony-winning Broadway revival of 'Once On This Island' — and just two weeks later was forced to exit the show, on doctor's orders, to receive treatment for depression. She was certain the experience would have repercussions on her stage career. 'I thought I was a liability,' she said. 'I thought I would never be welcomed back into the theater community.' Since then she's become a prominent advocate for mental health issues, a regular public speaker on the topic and the author of the 2021 memoir 'Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life — and Can Save Yours.' With 'Death Becomes Her,' she's now originating a role in a new musical for the first time — and returning to Broadway after worrying that door had closed for good. 'I don't take it lightly, or for granted,' she said. So she's enjoying every minute of it, bonding with her cast and welcoming guests backstage including Isabella Rossellini, who played the movie's version of Viola, and Michelle Williams, the Emmy-winning actress who shares the same name. The two had never met, and their ebullient first encounter after a performance in April drew attention online. ('It was a such a joy,' Williams recalled.) Around the time when 'Death Becomes Her' opened in November, the other former members of Destiny's Child, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, turned out to applaud Williams in the show. 'I just adore them,' Williams said. 'They make me grow. I love them as the wives and mothers, the artists and the friends that they are.' The performer said she's also relishing the chance to play a haughty, devious character, and has pushed herself to stop trying to be liked onstage. 'I'm the opposite of Viola — unless you lie to me! — and at first I didn't want people to think badly of me,' Williams admitted. 'I'm the nice one! I'm the gospel artist! But now I'm trying to take advantage of getting to be Viola.' She's also formulating her own backstory for why the immortal Viola wants to tempt people into living forever, consequences be damned. 'I know why I'd live forever,' Williams said with a laugh. 'It's because I'm nosy. I want to know everything and see everybody's evolution.' With Broadway and her activities in the mental health space taking up most of her time at the moment, she's not sure when she'll be releasing new music. Her last album, 'Journey to Freedom,' came out in 2014. 'I'm working with someone to possibly do an EP or something,' she said. 'I don't want to do it an album — I don't think. You say that and then before you know it, you have 12 songs. We will see. I've just been enjoying using my gifts in other ways to impact people.' She added with a laugh, 'But sometimes a hit song is a nice thing to have every now and then.' Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Emmy Predictions: Apple, Netflix Lead the Pack as FYC Events Roll On Including 2,100+ Waiting List for HBO Max's Hit Series 'The Pitt' Emmy Predictions: Guest Acting (Comedy, Drama) - Scene-Stealers, Sleeper Hits and One Lucky Charm With Beau Bridges
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night
NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty-nine shows on Broadway got Tony Award nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy — and the box office attention they usually bring. Here are some key things to know as Broadway's biggest night approaches, including how to watch, who is poised to make history, what old favorite gets to take a victory lap and how you can see George Clooney on Broadway from the comfort of your couch. When are the Tony Awards? The Tonys will be broadcast to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, from 8 p.m. ET-11 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT to 8 p.m. PT., live from Radio City Music Hall. How can I watch them? On CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Who's hosting the Tony Awards? Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, the 'Wicked' star, will be making her debut hosting the Tonys. She won the lead actress in a musical Tony in 2016 for 'The Color Purple' and will have just released her new album, 'I Forgive You.' A pre-show will be broadcast on Pluto TV from 6:40 p.m.-8:00 p.m. ET/3:40 p.m.-5:00 p.m. PT, where some Tonys will be handed out. Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry will host that telecast. Viewers can access it on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the 'Live Music' channel, found within the Entertainment category on the service. How many awards are there? A total of 26 competitive categories, from lead and featured actors to scenic, costume and lighting design. Some technical award handouts may be pre-taped and winners won't appear on the live show, only cut down into edited bits sandwiched into the telecast. What are the top nominees? There are three of them: 'Buena Vista Social Club,' which takes its inspiration from Wim Wenders' 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary; 'Death Becomes Her,' based on the 1992 cult classic film; and ' Dead Outlaw,' a musical about a real life alcoholic drifter shot dead in 1911 and whose afterlife proved to be stranger than fiction. Each have a leading 10 nominations. Who is vying for best new play and musical? For new musicals, it's 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Dead Outlaw,' 'Death Becomes Her,' 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.' For new plays, it's 'English,' 'The Hills of California,' 'John Proctor Is the Villain,' 'Oh, Mary!' and 'Purpose.' Many of the races are unusually tight this year, the product of a Broadway heaving with shows after having largely rebounded from the pandemic. 'I haven't seen one nominated show that I haven't been wowed by. Everything brings something,' says Lowe Cunningham, lead producer of 'Death Becomes Her' and also a Tony voter. 'How dare the Broadway community come together with such excellent work,' she jokes. 'I needed everything else to be much worse, and I don't appreciate it.' Can history be made? Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards' history, could possibly extending her Tony lead. Already the record holder for most acting wins with six Tonys, McDonald could add to that thanks to her leading turn in an acclaimed revival of "Gypsy." She will push the record for a performer to most wins with seven if she prevails on Tony night. And Kara Young — the first Black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years — could become the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively should she win for her role in the play 'Purpose.' Other possible firsts: — Daniel Dae Kim could becomes the first Asian winner in the category of best leading actor in a play for his work in a revival of 'Yellow Face.' And Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are vying to become the first female actors of Iranian descent to win a Tony. A special guest Normally, shows open for several years don't get any Tony telecast attention but 'Hamilton' is no normal show. The original cast will celebrate the show's 10th anniversary on Broadway with a performance featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, Ariana DeBose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan and Phillipa Soo. What will producers hope to avoid? Any repeat of last year, when Jay-Z's electrifying reunion with Alicia Keys on what appeared to be a live duet of 'Empire State of Mind' was actually pre-taped hours before the live show. The appearance by the rapper in support of Keys' musical 'Hell's Kitchen' turned out to be a piece of Hollywood trickery, undercutting the Broadway community's full-throated embrace of live singing and dancing. Broadway's big season The health of Broadway — once very much in doubt during the pandemic lockdown — is now very good, at least in terms of box office. The 2024-2025 season took in $1.9 billion, the highest-grossing season in recorded history, overtaking the pre-pandemic previous high of $1.8 billion during the 2018-2019 season. In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, the second best attended season on record, behind only 2018-2019. But sky-high ticket prices have led to fears that Broadway is getting financially out of touch. A revival of 'Othello' with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for top-grossing play in Broadway history with a gross of $2,818,297 for eight performances, fueled by some seats going for as high as $921. How can you get in the mood? Even if you haven't been able to get to Broadway this season, you can still see one of the shows. The night before the Tonys, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' — starring and co-written by Clooney, a Tony acting nominee — will stream across CNN properties. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Tony Awards, visit:
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night
NEW YORK (AP) — Twenty-nine shows on Broadway got Tony Award nominations this season, but not all will walk away with a trophy — and the box office attention they usually bring. Here are some key things to know as Broadway's biggest night approaches, including how to watch, who is poised to make history, what old favorite gets to take a victory lap and how you can see George Clooney on Broadway from the comfort of your couch. When are the Tony Awards? The Tonys will be broadcast to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, from 8 p.m. ET-11 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT to 8 p.m. PT., live from Radio City Music Hall. How can I watch them? On CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Who's hosting the Tony Awards? Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, the 'Wicked' star, will be making her debut hosting the Tonys. She won the lead actress in a musical Tony in 2016 for 'The Color Purple' and will have just released her new album, 'I Forgive You.' A pre-show will be broadcast on Pluto TV from 6:40 p.m.-8:00 p.m. ET/3:40 p.m.-5:00 p.m. PT, where some Tonys will be handed out. Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry will host that telecast. Viewers can access it on their smart TV, streaming device, mobile app or online by going to Pluto TV and clicking on the 'Live Music' channel, found within the Entertainment category on the service. How many awards are there? A total of 26 competitive categories, from lead and featured actors to scenic, costume and lighting design. Some technical award handouts may be pre-taped and winners won't appear on the live show, only cut down into edited bits sandwiched into the telecast. What are the top nominees? There are three of them: 'Buena Vista Social Club,' which takes its inspiration from Wim Wenders' 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary; 'Death Becomes Her,' based on the 1992 cult classic film; and ' Dead Outlaw,' a musical about a real life alcoholic drifter shot dead in 1911 and whose afterlife proved to be stranger than fiction. Each have a leading 10 nominations. Who is vying for best new play and musical? For new musicals, it's 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Dead Outlaw,' 'Death Becomes Her,' 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.' For new plays, it's 'English,' 'The Hills of California,' 'John Proctor Is the Villain,' 'Oh, Mary!' and 'Purpose.' Many of the races are unusually tight this year, the product of a Broadway heaving with shows after having largely rebounded from the pandemic. 'I haven't seen one nominated show that I haven't been wowed by. Everything brings something,' says Lowe Cunningham, lead producer of 'Death Becomes Her' and also a Tony voter. 'How dare the Broadway community come together with such excellent work,' she jokes. 'I needed everything else to be much worse, and I don't appreciate it.' Can history be made? Audra McDonald, the most recognized performer in the theater awards' history, could possibly extending her Tony lead. Already the record holder for most acting wins with six Tonys, McDonald could add to that thanks to her leading turn in an acclaimed revival of 'Gypsy.' She will push the record for a performer to most wins with seven if she prevails on Tony night. And Kara Young — the first Black actress to be nominated for a Tony Award in four consecutive years — could become the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively should she win for her role in the play 'Purpose.' Other possible firsts: — Daniel Dae Kim could becomes the first Asian winner in the category of best leading actor in a play for his work in a revival of 'Yellow Face.' And Marjan Neshat and her co-star Tala Ashe are vying to become the first female actors of Iranian descent to win a Tony. A special guest Normally, shows open for several years don't get any Tony telecast attention but 'Hamilton' is no normal show. The original cast will celebrate the show's 10th anniversary on Broadway with a performance featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and actors Goldsberry, Ariana DeBose, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan and Phillipa Soo. What will producers hope to avoid? Any repeat of last year, when Jay-Z's electrifying reunion with Alicia Keys on what appeared to be a live duet of 'Empire State of Mind' was actually pre-taped hours before the live show. The appearance by the rapper in support of Keys' musical 'Hell's Kitchen' turned out to be a piece of Hollywood trickery, undercutting the Broadway community's full-throated embrace of live singing and dancing. Broadway's big season The health of Broadway — once very much in doubt during the pandemic lockdown — is now very good, at least in terms of box office. The 2024-2025 season took in $1.9 billion, the highest-grossing season in recorded history, overtaking the pre-pandemic previous high of $1.8 billion during the 2018-2019 season. In terms of attendance, Broadway welcomed nearly 14.7 million ticket buyers, the second best attended season on record, behind only 2018-2019. But sky-high ticket prices have led to fears that Broadway is getting financially out of touch. A revival of 'Othello' with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal broke the record for top-grossing play in Broadway history with a gross of $2,818,297 for eight performances, fueled by some seats going for as high as $921. How can you get in the mood? Even if you haven't been able to get to Broadway this season, you can still see one of the shows. The night before the Tonys, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' — starring and co-written by Clooney, a Tony acting nominee — will stream across CNN properties. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Tony Awards, visit:
