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