It’s Tony Time!

by Tyler York

Who doesn’t love an award show? Especially one honoring those working in the theater?

I had a great time watching The Tony Awards last night… How about that opening number?!

You may not have been aware, but there are a number of Emerson College alumni who worked on some of the Broadway shows that were either nominated for or winners of the American Theater Wing’s Tony Awards last night. I’d like to take a moment to congratulate them and their fantastic work.

Among the shows with an Emerson College connection, War Horse, took home the most awards at 5 including the Tony for Best Play. Ariel Heller, a graduate of our BFA Musical Theatre program, is in the ensemble performing as Joey and Topthorn. There was a great article in the Wall Street Journal about the show that features Ariel. Read it here.

Another connection to War Horse can be found in alumna Bonnie Comley, who is one of the show’s producers. Ms. Comley is also a producer on the Tony-nominated shows: Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson; and The Merchant of Venice (with Al Pacino). And another, Vanessa Coakley, a graduate of the BFA Stage/Production Management program, also worked on The Merchant of Venice, as the Assistant Stage Manager.

And we couldn’t forget Sister Act and its Associate Company Manager, Eric Cornell.

Are there others that I missed? Tell me about it – tweet @emstage or @tylerlyork.