Theater Awards Quotes

The Tonys ignored West Side Story. The Tonys ignored Gypsy. It's a kind of public humiliation.

My microphone went out in the 2009 Tony Awards. It was my big moment, and I was so excited to perform and lead the cast; I sang 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat.' Every actor dreams of standing front and center on the Tony Awards, and I start to sing, and you hear this crackling. I had no idea what to do - were they going to stop a live telecast?

I would like to have won a Tony, I guess, because I have always thought of myself as a theater person. But I've won my share of awards, so I don't worry about it.

People ask me, 'Is there pressure to win a Tony for your next one?' I've got three on my mantelpiece; I'm good. If that's the end of the story, I'm fine.

I've been nominated twice before as actor in a leading part. Now I'm nominated as actor in a supporting part. If I don't win, I'll just wait until I'm nominated for being in the theater during the show. Do they have one like that?

The best thing about being nominated in a category like best new play is realizing there were enough new plays to make a category.

The idea that the Tony committee and the New York theater community as a whole have embraced 'Billy Elliot' is very, very exciting.

When 'Newsies' first came out, it just crash-landed with a thud; it won a Razzie for worst song of the year, and I felt such embarrassment. Fast-forward, and it's a hit on Broadway, and I win a Tony for the score!

But I can't wait to watch the Tonys this Sunday. I'm really glad Broadway is doing so well this year, especially with its straight plays. It's been a wonderful year.

My first time ever on the Tony Awards was in 1984, the year of 'The Rink.'

The Tonys are the once-a-year shot for all of these shows and artists who work so diligently every single performance but only for a thousand or so people at a time. This gives them the opportunity to perform to millions of people.

I was in 27 Broadway plays, and three of them got the Pulitzer Prize.

George Hearn taught me that you learn that there are roles that are Tony roles and roles that are not.

Being a kid and growing up in Cleveland, the Tonys were how you saw Broadway shows: you got to hear from each show, and that's what inspired me to live my dream, so the fact that I am getting recognition from them, it's mind-blowing.

To be honest, I didn't even know what the Drama Desk Awards were until I was nominated.

The Tonys are also kind of like a homegrown party. You know everybody.

What I enjoy so much about the Tonys' uniqueness is that anyone who's tuning in has an interest in seeing the show, so our job is halfway done.

'Kiss Me, Kate' was my 'Ragtime' Tony.

I keep both of my Tonys on my mantle. They're in front of a mirror so if you look at just the right angle, it looks like I have four!

It never occurred to me that one could just buy tickets to the Tonys. I figured you had to be invited.

I was the first woman to win a Tony for directing, but the second woman came along five minutes later.

There's a mythical status to the Tony Awards. When you're growing up as an actor, you hear about Broadway and the Tonys, but it's not something you ever expect to experience.

I am a Tony voter; it is an honor that I take seriously. Each season, I enter the process with a degree of enthusiasm and optimism, which dissipates as I slowly plow through show after show.

I understood very little about the significance of the Tony before, but I've learned that it makes a huge significance to whether or not your show is going to run.

With the Tonys it's a little tricky because a lot of the funnier jokes are more insider, so people watching at home may not get a Julie Taymor reference the way that New Yorkers would. So you have to figure out what comedy plays to a large audience and still respect the individuals who are there.