40 | JUNE 1 • 2023
B
roadway is finally back in full
swing, and the 76th Tony Awards
will be held on June 11 at the
United Palace in New York City, televised
on CBS at 8 p.m. Due to the writer’s
strike, there was a concern the show
would not air; however, the Writer’s
Guild of America (WGA) agreed not
to picket the telecast. In support of the
WGA, the Tony Award Productions will
be altered, but the show will still air.
As for this year’s nominations, Some
Like it Hot garnered 13 — the most.
Shucked, & Juliet and New York, New
York earned nine nominations, and
Kimberly Akimbo and Sweeney Todd: The
Demon Barber of Fleet Street, nabbed
eight. Here are some of Broadway’s
currently running Tony-nominated
musicals and plays with a Jewish
connection:
BROADWAY
& Juliet imagines a new life for Juliet
after Romeo. This romantic comedy,
whose nine nominations include
Best New Musical and Best Book of a
Musical, features some of the biggest
hits by Katy Perry, Britney Spears and
Ariana Grande. Ben Jackson Walker
plays Romeo and Lorna Courtney plays
Juliet — both are University of Michigan
grads. Courtney is up for Best Leading
Actress. Book is by David West Read
(writer for Schitt’s Creek), and music and
lyrics are by Max Martin. The music
supervisor, orchestrator and arranger is
Bill Sherman.
At the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124
W. 43rd St. (833) 274-8497.
A Beautiful Noise the Neil Diamond
Musical tells the story of music legend
Neil Diamond, a poor Jewish boy
from Brooklyn who became universally
revered. His first break into songwriting
was in the 1960s, and this energetic show
highlights his disappointments, successes
and rise to stardom. Will Swenson and
Mark Jacoby both play Neil at different
ages. Direction is by Michael Mayer.
The musical score highlights the singer’s
most beloved hits, including “Sweet
Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rose.” Although
this show didn’t receive any nominations,
the audiences continue to love it and
sing along with some of the well-known
songs.
At the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th
St. (800) 447-7400.
Camelot, based on the classic beloved
musical with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
and music by Frederick Loewe, has
a 21st-century spin, thanks to Aaron
Sorkin, who wrote the book and updated
ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
Read about the nominees with Jewish connections.
Here Come
ALICE BURDICK SCHWEIGER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
the Tony’s
NaTasha Yvette
Williams with the cast
of Some Like It Hot
MARC J. FRANKLIN