Tag Archives: Robinson Center Performance Hall

ROCKing the TONYS – Robert Goulet

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Rock the TonysGouletRobert Goulet

Little Rock connection: Appeared in Little Rock on several national tours of shows including South Pacific and Camelot.

Tony Awards connection: Won the 1968 Tony Award for his performance in the musical The Happy Time. Appeared at Tony Awards ceremonies in 1961, 1962, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1996.  In 2005, made his final Tony appearance introducing revival of La Cage aux Folles in which he was appearing.

Another Tony connection is that he is referenced in a song lyric in the Tony winning score of A Chorus Line.

ROCKing the TONYS – Helen Hayes

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Rock the TonysHelenHelen Hayes

Little Rock connection: Appeared at Robinson Auditorium in 1942.

Tony Awards connection: Received a Tony in 1947 (first ceremony) for her performance in Anita Loos’ Happy Birthday. In 1958, won the Actress in a Play Tony for Time Remembered.  Served as a host/presenter of the ceremonies in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956.  Presented awards at ceremonies in 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1978, 1981 and 1986.  In 1987, she made a special Tony appearance as part of a tribute to George Abbott on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Her final appearance on the Tony Awards was at age 89 at the 1990 ceremony.

ROCKing the TONYS – Gertrude Lawrence

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Rock the TonysGertieGertrude Lawrence

Little Rock connection: Performed at Robinson Auditorium in 1940, the first year it was open.

Tony Awards connection: Won the 1952 Tony for Actress in a Musical for her performance as Mrs. Anna in The King and I.

ROCKing the TONYS – Rebecca Luker

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Rock the TonysRebecca LukerRebecca Luker

Little Rock connection: Has twice appeared with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Once it was the Valentine Pops concert singing Broadway songs, the second was a semi-staged concert version of The Music Man.

Tony Awards connection: She has been nominated for three Tony Awards. The first was in 1995 as Actress in a Musical for Show Boat, the second was in 2000 as Actress in a Musical for The Music Man and the third was in 2007 as Featured Actress in a Musical for Mary Poppins.  She has also performed on the Tony Awards with The Secret Garden and The Sound of Music.

Today is her birthday.

ROCKing the TONYs – Tallulah Bankhead

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Rock the TonysTallulah MidgieTallulah Bankhead

Little Rock connection: Appeared at Robinson Auditorium in 1941 and 1950.

Tony Awards connection: Received a Tony nomination for Actress in a Play for her performance in Midgie Purvis.  A play about her, entitled Looped netted Valerie Harper a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Bankhead.

ROCKing the TONYS – Bernadette Peters

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Rock the TonysBernadette_Peters_a_pBernadette Peters

Little Rock connection: In February 1997, appeared with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at Robinson Center Music Hall.

Tony Awards connection: Winner of two Tony Awards for Actress in a Musical (Song & Dance – 1986 and Annie Get Your Gun – 1999), in 2013 she received the Isabelle Stevenson Award recognizing her philanthropic efforts as a co-founder of “Broadway Barks.” She has hosted the Tony Awards ceremony and appeared as a presenter and entertainer on several other occasions.  Peters has also been nominated for Tonys for Featured Actress in a Musical (On the Town – 1972) and Actress in a Musical (Mack & Mabel – 1975; Sunday in the Park with George – 1984; The Goodbye Girl – 1993; and Gypsy – 2003). She has also starred in the Tony winning productions of George M!, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music and Follies.

ROCKing the TONYS – Ann Miller

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Rock the TonysAnn-Miller-minkAnn Miller

Little Rock connection: Starred in national tour of Sugar Babies in Little Rock in April 1986.  Celebrated her 63rd birthday while in Little Rock (today is her birthday)

Tony Awards connection: Received a Tony nomination for her starring role in Sugar Babies and appeared on the Tony Awards. She also succeeded Angela Lansbury’s Tony winning turn in Mame on Broadway.