Broadway’s Biggest Night
For Broadway fans, the annual Tony Awards feels like the Super Bowl of theater—an electrifying night where dreams come true, and the magic of live performance shines brighter than ever.
Each year, I invite friends over, ready to root for our favorites, bask in the show-stopping performances, and revel in the heartfelt acceptance speeches. The anticipation builds as I try to see as many nominated shows as possible each Broadway season. This event is my Super Bowl, and I look forward to it all year long!
How It All Began
My love affair with Broadway took an unexpected turn during a medical conference where I delivered a talk. During my talk I noticed a physician in the room, whom I’d never met before, asked an insightful question. Our paths crossed again at a medical school alumni event, where we discovered our mutual love for theater. As I shared my tradition of flying to New York to catch as many shows as possible with a close friend, I watched as this new friend- Michael's eyes lit up.
When I told him I was coming to New York in a few weeks, he invited me to stop by his office to see his impressive memorabilia collection and revealed that he had been producing Broadway shows for years. When he asked if I’d ever consider investing in a show, I was floored. Regular folks could invest in Broadway? Count me in!
Diving into Broadway
Fast forward a few months, and I found myself co-producing my first show, Tuck Everlasting. Although it closed quickly, I learned the thrill of being listed in the Playbill and realized this was just the beginning. Michael kept me in the loop about future projects, and soon I was introduced to the revival of Once on This Island. We went to New York for an industry reading about the show, and I fell in love with its creative vision. When the show had it’s opening night on Broadway on December 3, 2017, I was bursting with pride. The show was a masterpiece, timely and moving, and I could feel the energy radiating from the audience.
The Road to the Tonys
As awards season approached, I was on the edge of my seat. With only a handful of shows eligible for Best Revival of a Musical, I was hopeful. However, at all of the earlier awards presentations it was clear that Once on this Island was not the frontrunner. Attending the Drama League Awards was a thrilling experience, sitting with the cast and being in the room with theater legends like Idina Menzel. Although Once on This Island didn’t take home the trophy that day, the excitement continued to build. Having seen this show at a reading, and feeling so connected to it, I was so proud of all that the show achieved. Our family came to see it several times at Circle in the Square, enjoying backstage access to the animals and friendships with the cast.
During the 2017-2018 theater season the revival of Once on this Island received 7 Drama Desk Nominations, 3 Drama League Award Nominations, and 6 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations, with a nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Musical from each organization. Hailey Kilgore who was the star of the show won a Theater World Award for her performance, and received a Tony nomination in her category. The cast album for the show was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Ultimately the show received 8 Tony nominations including Best Revival of a Musical.
Glamour and Excitement at the Tonys
The 72nd Tony Awards were scheduled to take place on June 10, 2018 at 8:00 PM at Radio City Hall. When the big day finally arrived, I was ready! After a glamorous day of hair and makeup with a friend, we walked the red carpet towards Radio City Music Hall, my heart racing with excitement. The atmosphere was electric, with glamorous attendees and palpable energy. The night kicked off with stunning performances from all the nominated shows—a Broadway highlight reel!
One unforgettable moment for me was when the choir from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (my alma mater) performed "Seasons of Love" from Rent, bringing hope and healing after unimaginable tragedy. And yes, snow fell inside the theater during the Frozen performance—pure magic!
A Night to Remember
For the rest of the evening I was literally glued to my seat. I wouldn’t move, I did not want to miss anything happening on the stage. Bryan kept trying to get me to go for a walk with him to get a drink and snack and take in the atmosphere in the theater. I ended up missing the opportunity to meet Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. who was in the champagne line with Bryan. He did return with a glass of champagne for me and a photo of a moment that he holds over me to this day! Sometimes it is worth getting out of your seat to take in the whole experience, rather than just what is on the stage.
Once on this Island took full advantage of celebrating the uniqueness of the show. Our Producer had walked the red carpet with one of the live goats from the show. Sparky even wore a bow tie for the occasion. When it came time to perform a number from the show, the team brought a piece of our Caribbean island to Radio City, complete with sand, rain and live animals. It was a spectacular performance.
When it was time to announce the winners, the air was thick with anticipation. And then it happened: Once on This Island was called! Instead of heading to the formal Tony celebration, we dashed to our show’s after-party to revel in the moment. It was a night I’ll cherish forever, filled with laughter, tears, and celebration with my Broadway family. We ended the night with a late night visit to a local pizza parlor to celebrate with a slice.
The Tony Experience, Again!
Fast forward to June 11, 2023—another opportunity to attend the Tony Awards arrived! Although I faced the dilemma of dropping my kids at sleepaway camp that morning, nothing could keep me from the ceremony. After some logistical juggling, I found myself back in the theater with a co-producer credit for The Sign in Sydney Brustein’s Window.
While our play didn’t win the big award, we celebrated the wins of others in our community, including Miriam Silverman, who took home the Best Supporting Actress award, and the revival of Parade, which won Best Revival of a Musical.
Looking Forward
As the upcoming Broadway season heats up, I’m thrilled to be involved with several productions that might be contenders for the 2025 Tony Awards. Investors and co-producers in shows can sometimes have a front row seat for what is happening with the show. I’m already blocking out June 8, 2025, on my calendar, ready for another night of glittering performances and unforgettable moments.
So, fellow theater lovers, what about you?
What are your favorite shows or unforgettable Tony moments?
Let’s keep the conversation going—because in the world of Broadway, there’s always more magic to discover.