Columbia Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2019 Tony Awards
Columbia School of the Arts theatre community members won big at this year’s Tony Awards.
Hadestown: The Myth led the pack with eight Tonys this year, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Orchestrations. Directed by Rachel Chavkin ‘08 and co-produced by Jamie Forshaw ‘09 and alumnus and Professor Jeremy Blocker ‘08, Hadestown: The Myth is a 2016 stage musical adaptation of the 2010 folk opera concept album by the same name by Anaïs Mitchell. It premiered off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on May 6, 2016 and ran through July 31.
The Cher Show, which was stage managed by Professor Michael Passaro, took home the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and Best Costume Design of a Musical. The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the early life and career of Cher. The musical had its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, in June 12, 2018, and opened on Broadway in December 2018.
Boys In The Band won for Best Revival of a Play. Co-produced by theatre fellow Aaron Glick, Boys in the Band is a play by Mart Crowley. The play premiered Off-Broadway in 1968, and was revived on Broadway for its 50th anniversary in 2018. The play revolves around a group of gay men who gather for a birthday party in New York City and was groundbreaking for its portrayal of gay life.
Ain’t Too Proud won for Best Choreography. Co-produced by theatre fellow Chris Maring, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations is a 2018 jukebox musical with music and lyrics by The Temptations and a book by Dominique Morisseau. Based on the story of The Temptations, the musical had a series of regional productions and opened at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre in March 2019.
The Ferryman won for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play, and Best Scenic Design of a Play. Associate produced by Thomas Swayne ‘20, The Ferryman is a 2017 play by Jez Butterworth set during The Troubles. It tells the story of the family of a former IRA activist, living in their farmhouse in rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981.
Ink won for Best Lighting Design and Best Featured Actor in a Play. Produced by Professor Barry Grove, Ink is a 2017 play by James Graham which premiered in London in 2017.
Choir Boy won for Best Sound Design of a Play. Also produced by Professor Barry Grove, Choir Boy is a play by American playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. The play premiered in September 2012 at the Royal Court Theatre, London, before going on to play productions at New York City Center, Alliance Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, and many more regional theatres across the United States.
Retired Theatre Management and Producing Professor Peter Entin took home the Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!