Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
Several Birmingham producers are up for Tony Awards
When you sit back and watch the upcoming Tony Awards this Sunday, June 16 on CBS, several Broadway productions have Birmingham connections, including a musical that is one of the most-nominated plays in Tony history.
This week, longtime arts and entertainment writer Alec Harvey wrote a story in his weekly newsletter about The Magic City’s tie-in to this year’s awards.
He identified four Broadway productions that have Birmingham producers.
Here is the list:
- Stereophonic — Carl Peoples who is the executive director of the Central Alabama Theater and four of his board members — Carolyn Violi, Andrew Duxbury, Renee Davis and Elaine Hendrix — are producers of this highly acclaimed play. According to Harvey, the play about a fictional band in the 1970s has notched 13 Tony nominations, making it the most-nominated play in Tony history
- The Who’s Tommy —UAB Musical Director and two-time Tony Award nominee Carolyn Violi is a producer of this popular rock opera. Tommy is up for Best Revival of a Musical.
- Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club — Red Mountain Theatre is a producer for this classic, which goes head to head against Tommy for Best Revival of a Musical.
- Back to the Future — Red Mountain Theatre is a producer for the popular show. Its lead Roger Bart has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical.
Number of Broadway producers growing
Virginia Samford Theatre’s Executive Director described what the role of a producer entails.
“If you look at the title page of a Broadway show, you’ll see that above the title are listed any number of producers. It used to be three, four, five or six producers. Now some of them (productions) have upwards of 50. That’s how expensive producing on Broadway has gotten.”
Philip Mann, Executive Director, Virginia Samford Theatre
Asked which Tony-nominated play he was rooting for on Sunday night, Mann told us he favored Stereophonic.
“It’s the kind of show that I think is wonderful for Broadway because it’s a new concept. A new feel. It’s for a younger audience. I definitely think it’s great Dr. Duxbury, Carolyn, Carl, Renee and Elaine are a part of it.”
Philip Mann, Executive Director, Virginia Samford Theatre
He added Duxbury is also in Virginia Samford’s upcoming rendition of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which is another good reason to cheer on Stereophonic Sunday night.
Who do you hope will take home this year’s Tony Awards? Let us know what you think by tagging us on Instagram at @bhamnow!
