Tag Archives: Tony Awards

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Liza Minnelli

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Rock the Tonyslizatony2009LIZA MINNELLI

Little Rock connection: Appeared with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in 2004. During that visit she was made an honorary Little Rock citizen.

Tony Awards connection: Won first Tony in 1965 for Flora, The Red Menace; received a Special Tony in 1974; and won a Tony in 1978 for The Act. She was also nominated in 1984 for The Rink. Her show Liza’s at the Palace… won the 2009 Tony for Special Theatrical Event. She has appeared as a presenter and performer for several Tony ceremonies. She hosted the 1993 ceremony.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Christopher J. Hanke

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Rock the TonysChrisHankeyHeadshotCHRISTOPHER J. HANKE

Little Rock connection: A native of Central Arkansas, he starred in the Arkansas Rep production of Damn Yankees.

Tony Award connection: Performed on the Tony Awards ceremonies with casts of Cry-Baby and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Currently he is starring Off Broadway in Buyer and Cellar playing a fictional employee of double Tony nominee Barbra Streisand.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Billy Joel and Elton John

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Rock the Tonys

Joel and John in photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

Joel and John in photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com

BILLY JOEL and ELTON JOHN

Little Rock Connection: Both have performed in Little Rock over the years.  In 1995, they played a joint concert at War Memorial Stadium which brought in $1.6 million. An additional Little Rock connection for Joel – who’s birthday is today – is in his song “We Didn’t Start the Fire” there are references to South Pacific (which had a fictional Little Rock heroine), Little Rock resident Winthrop Rockefeller, and the 1957 integration crisis at Little Rock Central High.

Tony Awards Connection: Billy Joel won a Tony Award for his orchestrations of Movin’ Out which featured his songs as a backdrop of dances choreographed by Twyla Tharp.  Elton John won a Tony Award for his score to Aida.  He has received additional Tony nominations for The Lion King and Billy Elliot for Best Score.  He additionally was a producer of Best Play nominee Next Fall.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS – Austin Pendleton

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Rock the Tonysaupendleton200AUSTIN PENDLETON

Little Rock connection: Directed Arkansas Repertory Theatre production of William Inge’s A Loss of Roses. While in Little Rock appeared on a panel at the Clinton School which can be viewed here.

Tony Awards connection:Was nominated for the Director of a Play Tony Award for his production of The Little Foxes which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton.  Starred in the Tony winning original production of Fiddler on the Roof.

ROCKing the Tonys – Case Dillard

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Photo by Deen Van Meer

Photo by Deen Van Meer

Case Dillard

Little Rock connection – Little Rock native; grew up appearing at Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre and Weekend Theater

 Tony Awards connection – Was in original Broadway cast of Mary Poppins and appeared on Tony Awards segment

Case has appeared on Broadway and the national tour of Mary Poppins as well as dancing with Ballet Arkansas and acting at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.  He is currently back in Little Rock. He has recently appeared in Baby at Community Theatre of Little Rock and The Water Children at Weekend Theater.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS: Scott Joplin

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Rock the Tonysscott-joplin-1Scott Joplin

Little Rock connection: A native of Texarkana, he visited Little Rock from time to time throughout his early life and early career. His second wife, Freddie Alexander, was from Little Rock. He met her on a visit here and dedicated his composition The Chrysanthemum to her.  In June 1904, he married Freddie. She died ten weeks later of pneumonia. Aspects of her life, as well as his mothers, form the story for his opera Treemonisha.

Tony Awards connection: Treemonisha was never performed during Joplin’s lifetime. In 1975 it was produced on Broadway. Joplin received a 1976 Tony nomination for Best Score for Treemonisha – 59 years after he had died.

ROCKing the TONY AWARDS: Debbie Reynolds

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Reynolds with Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe at Bolo Bash (photo by Bobby Ampezzan)

Reynolds with Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe at Bolo Bash (photo by Bobby Ampezzan)

Debbie Reynolds

Little Rock connection: Was featured guest at 2013 Bolo Bash.

Tony Awards connection: Nominated for Actress in a Musical in 1973 for revival of Irene. Her daughter Carrie Fisher was in the chorus of that show. Since today is Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You), it seemed appropriate to feature Reynolds today.