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July 1, 2023 The CuratorLeave a Comment on Kevin Spacey Net Worth 2023: Career, Controversy, Achievement … – Southwest Journal

Mary Phagan

Kevin Spacey Net Worth 2023: Career, Controversy, Achievement … – Southwest Journal

Kevin Spacey, whose birth name is Kevin Spacey Fowler, was born on July 26, 1959, in South Orange, New Jersey. He grew up with two siblings, raised by his mother, who worked as a secretary, and his father, a technical writer. When Spacey was just four years old, his family relocated to California. Spacey has openly discussed the physical abuse he endured from his father, who he also described as a racist with Nazi sympathies.

During his 10th and 11th grades, Spacey attended a military school. However, for his senior year, he transferred to Chatsworth High School. It was there that he joined the schools production of The Sound of Music, marking his entry into the world of theater. After finishing high school, he adopted the name Spacey and moved to New York City to study at the prestigious Juilliard School. From 1979 to 1981, while studying at Juilliard, Spacey also tried his hand at stand-up comedy.

So how much is Kevin Spaceyactually worth? According to our research, Kevin Spaceys net worth is estimated to be$110 Million Dollars. Kevin Spaceys net worth is largely the result of his success as an American actor.

Kevin Spacey, the acclaimed American actor, possesses a physical stature that complements his commanding on-screen presence. Standing at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighing around 80 kg (176 lbs), Spaceys height and weight contribute to his ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity.

Spaceys average height allows him to blend seamlessly into various roles, whether he is portraying a charismatic lead, a sinister antagonist, or a vulnerable character. His weight, which aligns with a healthy and balanced physique, allows him to exude a presence that captures the attention of audiences.

Kevin Spaceys career took off in the realm of theater. After a minor role in a Shakespeare play, he made his Broadway debut in Ghosts in 1982. He continued to build his reputation in the New York theater scene with roles in The Misanthrope, Hurlyburly, Sleuth, and The Seagull. His major breakthrough came in 1986 with a role in the critically acclaimed Long Days Journey Into Night.

Spacey briefly ventured into television with Crime Stories, but soon shifted his focus to film. Even as he was trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood, he continued to perform in plays, including Lost in Yonkers in 1991, for which he won a Tony Award. He also appeared in TV series such as L.A. Crime and The Murder of Mary Phagan.

His first significant film role was in See No Evil, Hear No Evil in 1989. His captivating performances in series like Wiseguy and films like Glengarry Glen Ross soon caught the attention of critics. After roles in The Ref and Swimming With Sharks, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Usual Suspects in 1995.

In the same year, he delivered a chilling performance as a serial killer in Se7en. He followed this up with a memorable role as an attorney in A Time to Kill and a voice acting role in the animated film A Bugs Life. His performance in American Beauty in 1999 earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Spacey kicked off the 2000s with roles in Pay it Forward and K-Pax, and in 2006, he played Lex Luthor in Superman Returns. He also appeared in 2008s 21.

The 2010s were dominated by his role as Frank Underwood in House of Cards, which he played from 2011 until 2018 when he was removed from the cast due to sexual assault allegations. During his time on the show, Spacey won numerous awards and also worked as a producer, earning up to $20 million per year. In 2011, he played the antagonist in Horrible Bosses, and in 2018, he appeared in Billionaire Boys Club.

In 2017, Kevin Spacey faced serious allegations of making sexual advances towards a 14-year-old boy in 1986 when Spacey himself was 26. In response, Spacey issued a public statement attributing his actions to alcohol, but this did not stop the influx of similar accusations. In total, 15 individuals came forward with stories of Spaceys inappropriate behavior. Many of these individuals were parents of boys involved in the entertainment industry, including the Old Vic theater. The Old Vic confirmed that they had received 20 complaints about Spacey, with three individuals reporting him to the police.

These allegations had significant repercussions on Spaceys career. Production of House of Cards was halted, and the final season was cut down to only eight episodes. Several of Spaceys films had to be reshot with different actors after he was removed from the cast. His agent and publicist subsequently severed ties with him.

In 2018, more allegations emerged, further tarnishing Spaceys reputation. In 2019, a man who claimed to have been groped by Spacey committed suicide. That same year, three individuals associated with Spacey passed away. Despite facing multiple court cases for sexual and criminal assault, all cases against Spacey have been closed without any legal penalties imposed on the actor.

As a celebrated actor, Kevin Spacey proudly holds American nationality. His birth and upbringing in the United States have played a significant role in shaping his illustrious career, offering him a platform to showcase his exceptional acting skills. While nationality doesnt solely define a persons talent or accomplishments, its undeniable that Spaceys American roots have had a profound impact on his career path and the opportunities hes encountered within the world of entertainment.

Being an American actor, Spacey has had the extraordinary privilege of immersing himself in the diverse and vibrant landscape of American film and theater. Hes had the honor of working with some of the most respected American directors, sharing the screen with gifted American actors, and adding his unique touch to the tapestry of American storytelling through his compelling performances. His American nationality has enabled him to establish a deep connection with his audience, drawing on shared cultural experiences and narratives that strike a chord with his fellow countrymen and women.

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Kevin Spacey is currently facing a trial in London over sexual assault charges. The charges were brought by four men, most of which stem from his time leading a London theater. The trial began in June 2023.

Kevin Spacey is an American. He was born and raised in the United States.

As of 2023, Kevin Spaceys net worth is estimated to be $110 million.

Kevin Spacey has won numerous awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for The Usual Suspects and Best Actor for American Beauty. He also won a Tony Award for his role in Lost in Yonkers.

Kevin Spacey stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 80 kg (176 lbs).

Some of Kevin Spaceys most notable roles include Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects, Lester Burnham in American Beauty, and Frank Underwood in the television series House of Cards.

Kevin Spacey has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, which have significantly impacted his career. He was removed from the cast of House of Cards and several of his films were reshot with different actors. Despite facing multiple court cases for sexual and criminal assault, all cases against Spacey have been closed without any legal penalties imposed on the actor as of 2023.

Kevin Spaceys birth name is Kevin Spacey Fowler.

In conclusion, Kevin Spacey is a highly accomplished actor who has made significant contributions to the world of theater, film, and television. Born Kevin Spacey Fowler in South Orange, New Jersey, he rose to prominence through his exceptional acting skills and charismatic on-screen presence. Despite facing numerous personal and professional challenges, including serious allegations of sexual misconduct, Spacey has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

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Kevin Spacey Net Worth 2023: Career, Controversy, Achievement ... - Southwest Journal

Leo Frank

OPINION: The Leo Frank case – the ‘Parade’ that won’t end – The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Its the case that wont go away, the story that embodies Faulkners quote that the past is never dead. Its not even past.

The tragic saga of Leo Frank, the Jewish businessman long ago convicted of a heinous crime and lynched, has again found new legs.

The Broadway play Parade, written by Atlanta-born author Alfred Uhry and based upon the early-1900s case, recently won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.

Parade is a reboot of Uhrys 1998 Broadway flop. This time, ticket sales were so strong that computers crashed.

The difference? Maybe better marketing. Or perhaps its because antisemitism is on the march in this argumentative and divided country. Antisemitic incidents are up a third this year, more so in Georgia, says the Anti-Defamation League. The case is still so contemporary that Neo-Nazis protested outside the New York theater this year, calling Frank a pedophile.

Its a 110-year-old story thats timely again, said Steve Oney, author of the definitive book on the case, And the Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank. The Frank case will not go away. Its kind of the original sin of Georgia.

In fact, buzz created by Parade rocketed Oneys 20-year-old, 700-page book to No. 1 in Amazons true crime sector.

The Dead have Arisen.

I recently read Oneys book for the second time and thought Id call him.

During a recent episode of the radio show Political Rewind, Oney appeared with Uhry to talk about Parade and the Frank case. (The show was recorded just hours before Georgia Public Broadcasting announced its asinine decision to ax Rewind and send host Bill Nigut packing.)

As the show warmed up, Nigut asked Uhry about the case. Uhry, the famed author of Driving Miss Daisy, paused before saying, Im a little gun shy to talk about it with Steve here. Our show was unfortunately written before Steves book came out. I wish he was a little quicker with it.

Oneys book was a laborious process 17 years to be precise.

The former Atlanta Journal-Constitution Magazine writer came to the case in 1985 when writing for Esquire magazine. At the time, there was a movement in Georgia to exonerate Frank for the 1913 murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, whose strangled body was found in the dank basement of the downtown Atlanta pencil factory that Frank managed.

Phagan worked at the factory, as did scores of young teen girls. Frank was a taciturn outsider, a Jew from Brooklyn. The day of her murder, Mary was headed to the Confederate Memorial Day parade, hence the name of Uhrys play, Parade.

I wont dive deep into facts of the case: One could spend 17 years filling up a 700-page tome doing so. But during the trial, several girl employees testified that Frank leered at them and was not a person of good character. A Black employee named Jim Conley, first thought to be a suspect, pointed a finger at Frank and the case shifted forever.

During the trial, jurors heard mobs outside shouting, Hang the Jew! He was convicted and sentenced to death.

After the conviction, The New York Times led a campaign to undo the conviction. The story became a national phenom. (Interestingly, a scathing Times review of the 1998 version of Parade helped quickly usher it from the Broadway stage.)

To rebut the Times coverage, Tom Watson, the incendiary populist who became a U.S. senator in 1920, went after Frank in his magazine, The Jeffersonian, calling him a lecherous Jew. His circulation skyrocketed.

Oney noted it was a time with a breakdown of verifiable facts. Sounds familiar, eh?

The trial judge, as well as Conleys attorney and Gov. John Slaton, all had misgivings about Franks guilt. When Slaton commuted Franks sentence, a mob stormed the state Capitol and later headed for the governors home.

It was a mob egged on by what was characterized as a miscarriage of justice, Oney said, likening it to the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Things can get out of hand more quickly than wed like to think.

A highly orchestrated crew from Marietta, put together by that towns elites, drove the 120-plus miles to the prison in Milledgeville, stormed into the facility, hand-cuffed the warden, drove Frank back to Cobb County and strung him up in a tree near where the Big Chicken now stands.

Oney said the trial transcripts, which would have stood 6 feet tall, disappeared from Fulton County court archives in the 1960s. He was left reading two years worth of Atlantas three papers from the time: The Journal, The Constitution, and the Hearst-owned Georgian, all which had voluminous and different takes on the proceedings.

There was also a mountain of documents created by the appeals and an untold number of diaries, letters and reminiscences from contemporaries now stored in various institutions.

Itll be hard to do this kind of research again, Oney said. Its all pre-digital, all on paper.

A century later, some things have changed.

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OPINION: The Leo Frank case - the 'Parade' that won't end - The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Leo Frank

Antisemitism-themed Leopoldstadt and Parade are big Tony … – jewishpresspinellas

Broadway made a statement about antisemitism Sunday evening, June 11, as two high-profile shows on the subject this season the play Leopoldstadt and the musical revival Parade pulled in multiple major Tony awards.

Some of the shows honorees, in turn, made statements of their own linking hatred of Jews with other forms of hatred, including homophobia and anti-transgender sentiment.

Leopoldstadt, Tom Stoppards epic semi-autobiographical play about three generations of a Viennese Jewish family before and after the Holocaust, won four of the six Tonys for which it was nominated, including best play. (It was Stoppards fifth Tony, coming 55 years after his first, for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.)

The Leopoldstadt actor Brandon Uranowitz, the only member of the plays large cast to receive an acting nomination, won for featured actor in a play and thanked Stoppard for writing a show about antisemitism and the false promise of assimilation. He noted that members of his family were murdered by the Nazis in Poland.

Uranowitz, who is gay, ended with a plea to parents: When your child tells you who they are, believe them.

Parade, about the 1915 lynching of American Jew Leo Frank, won two prizes, including best revival of a musical. Alfred Uhry, who wrote the book to the original 1998 production of Parade, wore a Star of David lapel pin when he came up to accept the award for best revival.

Michael Arden, the shows director, noted in his speech that Leo Frank had a life that was cut short at the hands of the belief that one group of people is more or less valuable than another, which he noted is at the core of antisemitism, of white supremacy, of homophobia, of transphobia, of intolerance of any kind.

Arden warned the crowd to learn the lessons of the show, or else we are doomed to repeat the horrors of our history.

The non-Jewish actor Sean Hayes won best actor in a play for his role as Oscar Levant, the real-life Jewish concert pianist, actor and entertainer who had lifelong struggles with mental illness, in Good Night, Oscar.

There were several other Jewish moments at the show. Jewish Broadway legends John Kander (96 years old) and Joel Grey (91 years old) received the evenings lifetime achievement awards, with Greys actress daughter Jennifer Grey presenting him with his honor. Among the pairs many achievements: Kander composed and Grey starred in Cabaret, a musical set in Weimar-era Germany, and Grey mounted the recent successful Yiddish-language revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Kander is also the composer behind New York, New York, a new show whose musician characters include a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Poland.

Miriam Silverman won the featured actress in a play award for her role in The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window, a revival of a long-overlooked Lorraine Hansberry play about a Jewish bohemian couple in 1960s Greenwich Village.

And an unexpected Jewish shoutout came near the end of the ceremony, when the cast of the musical comedy Shucked, a corny-looking show about corn, performed a song instructing viewers about the many places where the vegetable can be enjoyed. Among the options: Bring it to a bris!

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Antisemitism-themed Leopoldstadt and Parade are big Tony ... - jewishpresspinellas

Leo Frank

Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry Have Unintentionally Become … – Playbill

Tony Awards Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry Have Unintentionally Become Leo Frank Historians

Their musical Parade won the 2023 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

At the Tony Awards, after the statues are given to the winners, they are taken to the media room, where they speak to journalists about their prizes. Playbill was able to have some one-on-one time with some of the 2023 Tony winners. We spoke withcomposer Jason Robert Brown and book writer Alfred Uhryafter their musical Paradewas named Best Revival of a Musical.

Watch the video above to see Brown and Uhryreact to winning, with the latter remarking,"unbelievable, wonderfulI'm just saying adjectives over and over again."

Speaking more somberly, Brown added that he was surprised to find out that the revivals' stars:Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, did not know aboutthe Leo Frank case (which the musical dramatizes) before encounteringParade."Ben and Micaela both said that the only reason they know about theLeo Frank case is this musical,"says Brown. "The idea that somehow this responsibility has passedinto our hands to tell this story. It wasvery heavy, and alsovery beautiful."

Adds Uhry:"I'm justdeeply proud as an Atlanta boy thatIgot to be the one to carry it forward."

READ:Parade Has Helped Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond Get Closer to Their Jewish Heritage

The Best Revival win was the production's second of the evening, following Michael Arden's win for Best Director of a Musical.The production came to Broadway following a 2022 run at New York City Center. Much of the cast from that production continued toBroadway, including 2023 Tony nominees Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond as Leo and Lucille Frank, respectively.

Originally directed by Harold Prince, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1998, receiving nine Tony nominations and winning two, for its book (Uhry) and score (Brown).

Brown also wonTonys for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score for The Bridges of Madison County. Uhry previously won two Tony Awards:for writing the book forParadein 1999, and for his playThe Last Night of Ballyhoo in 1997.

For Playbill's complete coverage of the Tony Awards, visit Playbill.com/Tonys.

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Heather Gershonowitz

Greg Nobile, Alfred Uhry, Jason Robert Brown, and Kristin Caskey

Heather Gershonowitz

Bonnie Milligan and Miriam Silverman

Heather Gershonowitz

Brandon Uranowitz and Patrick Marber

Heather Gershonowitz

Bonnie Milligan and Miriam Silverman

Heather Gershonowitz

Brandon Uranowitz and Patrick Marber

Heather Gershonowitz

Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter

Heather Gershonowitz

Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter

Heather Gershonowitz

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Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry Have Unintentionally Become ... - Playbill

Leo Frank

Award-winning Broadway shows: Stories of painful Jewish history … – JNS.org

(June 16, 2023 / JNS)

Eight times a week, I watch a Jewish man get lynched on Broadway. Parade actress Micaela Diamond

Two antisemitism-themed Broadway plays, Parade and Leopoldstadt, both recently won several Tony Awards. They portray how deep-seated anti-Jewish hostility combined with disinformation led to tragic results. Heinous historic acts against Jews serve as powerful reminders of what happens when hatred against Jews is allowed to fester.

Parade portrays the true story of American Jew, Leo Frank, and the consequences of unchecked hatred and discrimination. He was a factory manager accused of murdering a 13-year-old Christian girl in Atlanta in 1913. The case received sensationalized national media attention. His trial was marred by a biased investigation, a prejudiced jury and a hostile public sentiment fueled by anti-Jewish propaganda. Despite inconsistencies in the evidence against him, Frank was convicted and sentenced to death.

After public outrage, his sentence was reduced to life in prison. Enraged residents believed that lynch law is a good sign because it shows that a sense of justice lives among the people. They formed a Vigilance Committee, culminating in the abduction and hanging of Frank in 1915. The ringleaders included a former Georgia governor and the mayor of Marietta. In 1986, he was pardoned after a witness came forward and testified to seeing the victims body being carried to the basement by an employee.

During the early 1900s, discrimination against American Jews was endemic across society, reflecting a broader climate of bigotry, racism and intolerance. Jews faced various forms of discrimination, including social exclusion, limited employment opportunities and harmful stereotypes.

While the overt antisemitism of 1913 has somewhat diminished, it is resurgent across America. It was on display in 2023 when a small group of neo-Nazis staged a rally outside the Broadway theater showing Parade, an ironic display of hate underscoring the importance of these portrayals. Ben Platt, the Jewish actor playing Leo Frank, described the scene as definitely very ugly and scary, but a wonderful reminder of why were telling this particular story, and how special and powerful art and particularly theater can be.

In a somber tribute, Parade cast members gather before almost every performance, stand in a circle and say the Mourners Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead. It is an expression of community as we tell this hard story, wrote Diamond, who plays Lucille Frank, the wife of Jewish lynching victim Leo Frank.

Leopoldstadt reveals the devastating consequences of anti-Jewish hatred against individuals and communities. The play by Tom Stoppard is based in part on the experience of his own family. It portrays the lives of a prosperous Jewish family in Vienna and spans the late 19th century to the aftermath of the Holocaust.

The extended family fled pogroms in Eastern Europe and largely assimilated into the local culture; two of them served in World War I against the Allies. None of this mattered when the Nazis took control of Austria to implement Hitlers Final Solution. Many Austrians enthusiastically supported Nazi Germany and cheered its annexation of Austria.

In the mid-1600s, Rabbi Yom-Tov Lipmann, the rabbi of Vienna, obtained the right for Jews to create a central Jewish community in a Vienna suburb. One hundred years later, the Jews living there were forced to live in a ghetto. Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, forcefully expelled the Jews and destroyed their community, much to the delight of the locals. The remaining residents thanked the emperor by renaming the area Leopoldstadt, Leopolds City. A century later, Jews returned to the area, beforeonce againthe Jewish community was destroyed.

Events in Jewish history parallel todays events. The Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting in Pittsburgh in October 2018 was the deadliest attack against Jews in American history. The shooter is a white supremacist who believes in deeply anti-Jewish myths and conspiracy theories. He regularly shared social-media posts from Jew-hating bigots and Holocaust deniers.

The trial for the Pittsburgh terrorist attack began on May 30. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers testified that a prayer book with a bullet hole in it is a powerful witness to the horror of the day. One day when Im not there, this book tells a story that needs to be told.

Points to consider:

Broadway plays that delve into Jewish history maintain their relevance today by capturing the timeless essence of Jewish experiences. Whether exploring themes of identity, assimilation or persecution, these plays offer profound insights into the historical struggles of Jews. Unfortunately, the narratives and characters they present serve as a mirror to Jewish lives today, as American Jews are the most targeted religious group. Virtually every day, there are reports about attacks against Jews, including Jewish students living in fear on campus because of their Zionist identity and Jews being assaulted on city streets in broad daylight. The more society changes, the more threats against Jews stay the same.

The Leo Frank story in Parade delivers a forceful reminder that spreading intentionally false messages about Jews continues to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to prejudice and discrimination. The tragic events surrounding Franks wrongful conviction and lynching in 1915 highlight the devastating consequences of baseless accusations and the dangerous impact of anti-Jewish propaganda. Disinformation is not new; it was prevalent for millennialet alone 100 years ago in Americaand had the same devastating consequences as today, as seen in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre. The destructive power of false narratives shows why it is essential to promote accurate information and encourage critical thinking to combat prejudice.

The multiple Tony Award wins show the power of storytelling and its connection with audiences. The producers, writers and actors deserve credit for tackling these tragic historical accounts to transport hundreds of thousands of viewersJews and non-Jewsback in time to better understand the persecution Jews faced. The plays prove that Jews should always be proud of their identity and heritage, and be proud to tell the stories of Jewish people; clearly, audiences are listening. Parade director Michael Arden described how Leo Franks life was cut short at the hands of the belief that one group of people is more or less valuable than another. Arden warned that it is imperative to learn the lessons of the show, or else we are doomed to repeat the horrors of our history.

Americans must learn about the dark chapters of history, promote tolerance and prevent the repetition of past atrocities. By shining a light on the horrors of the Holocaust and other instances of persecution, the narratives in the Leopoldstadt and Parade Broadway plays serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of hatred, bigotry and discrimination. Through education and understanding, we can challenge prejudice, foster empathy and inspire a commitment to safeguarding human rights. Sharing these stories not only honors the memory of those who suffered but also encourages us to stand up against injustice in all its forms and create a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Leo Frank

Don’t miss these 23 UNCSA alumni connections to 2023 Tony … – UNCSA

Named for actress, stage director and philanthropist Antoinette Perry (1888-1946), who founded the American Theatre Wing, The Tony Awards recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. Held at the United Palace Theater in New York City, the 2023 Tony Awards was unscripted due to the ongoing WGA writers' strike and a historic night with the first openly nonbinary actors to win.

With connections to "Leopoldstadt" and "Parade," which took home top prizes, musical thriller "Sweeney Todd," musical comedy "Some Like it Hot" and more, UNCSA made a strong appearance in the night's award-winning productions.

Here's a list of all the 2023 Tony Award-winning productions with UNCSA connections in alphabetical order.

"Leopoldstadt" won the Tony Award for best play, featured actor in a play, direction in a play and costume design in a play. Regarded by the Wall Street Journal as an "inexpressibly moving, majestic play," "Leopoldstadt" is a passionate drama of love and endurance that begins in the last days of 1899.

Several School of Design & Production alumni have connections to the production, including Brad Peterson(B.F.A. '09), who served as the video programmer, Henry Wilen (B.F.A. '18), who served as the moving light programmer for the play and Tracy Cowit (M.F.A. '16), who served as was the Assistant Sound Engineer on Leopoldstadt.

"Life of Pi" won the Tony Awards for sound design play, lighting design play and scenic design play. Based on Yann Martel's Bestselling Novel, "Life of Pi" is an epic tale of endurance and hope that follows a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck on a lifeboat with the most unlikely of companions: a Royal Bengal tiger.

Several alumni have connections to the production, including School of Dance alumnusMatthew Murphy (H.S. '03) and Design & Production alumni Brad Peterson(B.F.A. '09). Additionally, School of Drama alumni Avery Glymph (B.F.A. '95) played the roles ofFather Martin and Admiral Jackson and Brian Thomas Abraham (B.F.A. '99) played Cook and the voice of Richard Parker in the production.

"New York, New York" won the Tony Awards for scenic design musical. Loosely based on the 1977 film of the same name, "New York, New York" is a glittering love letter to the most fantastic city in the world. The brand-new musical follows a group of New Yorkers who unite to chase their dreams of music, money and love.

Several School of Design & Production alumni have connections to the production, including Johnny Milani (B.F.A. '09) as the production stage manager; Romello Huins (B.F.A. '21) as the assistant scenic designer; JoAnn Battat (B.F.A. '21) as assistant hair supervisor and alumna Rose Rue (B.F.A. '22) as a hairstylist.

"Parade" won the Tony Awards for revival musical and lighting design musical. A musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, "Parade" is a dramatization of the 1913 trial and imprisonment, and 1915 lynching, of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia.

Several alumni have connections to the production. Design & Production alumni Bethany J. Itterly's (B.F.A. '11) company Bethany Joy Costumes created costume pieces for the play. Rebecca Eckes (B.F.A. '18, M.F.A. '21) is a draper for Bethany Joy Costumes and worked on the production with the company. Additional Design & Production alumni who worked on the production include M. Meriwether Goldstein (B.F.A. '10), who was the assistant costume designer on "Parade." Drama alumna Courtnee Carter (B.F.A. '16) played the role of Angela in "Parade."

"Prima Facie" won the Tony Award for the lead actress play. The solo drama follows the young, brilliant criminal defense barrister (or attorney), Tessa, whose view of the legal system and its murky moral loopholes abruptly shifts when she is sexually assaulted.

Design & Production alumnusBrad Peterson(B.F.A. '09) served as the associate video designer for the play.

"Shucked" cast member Alex Newell made history as the first out nonbinary person to win the Tony Awards for featured actor musical. The show follows the story of a brave small-town woman who leaves home searching for someone to figure out why all the corn in the county keeps dying.

Several alumni have connections to the production, including Dance alumnusMatthew Murphy (H.S. '03), who served as the production photographer, and Design & Production alumnus Kenneth Wills (B.F.A. '12), who served as the associate lighting designer for the production.

"Some Like It Hot" won the Tony Awards for orchestration, choreography, costume design musical and lead actor musical. Like fellow winner Alex Newell, "Some Like It Hot" star J. Harrison Ghee made history as the first nonbinary person to win the Tony Awards for lead actor musical. Set in Chicago, when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for excitement, the musical tells the story of two musicians forced to flee the city after witnessing a mob hit. It follows the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime that ensues.

Several alumni have connections to the production, including Dance alumnusMatthew Murphy (H.S. '03), who served as the production photographer and School of Music alumna Mary Mitchell Campbell (H.S. '92) served as the the music supervisor for the production. Design and Production alumni Caitlin Molloy, who served as the production'shair and makeup supervisor,Sarah Penland(M.F.A. '22), who served as the assistant production manager and Sean Beach (B.F.A. '09), who served as the lighting programmer.

"Sweeney Todd" won the Tony Awards for sound design in a musical and lighting design in a musical. The show follows the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life.

Several alumni have connections to the production, including Dance alumnusMatthew Murphy (H.S. '03), who served as the production photographer. Design & Production alumni Alex Fogel (B.F.A. '09) served as the lighting programmer, Jaechelle Johnson (B.F.A. '16) served as the assistant sound designer and Craig Stelzenmuller (B.F.A. '01) served as the associate lighting designer.

"The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" won the Tony Award for featured actress play. Set amidst a stormy political campaign in 1960s Greenwich Village, the play focuses on events after Sidney hangs a political sign urging the end of bossism in the window of his Greenwich Village apartment.

Several Design & Production alumni are attached to the production, including Sarah Penland(M.F.A. '22), who served as the assistant production manager for the production, and Jeremiah Lamm (B.F.A. '09), who owns Empire Technical Fabrications and built the scenery for the production.

During the 2023 Tony Awards, the company of "Camelot" performs "The Lusty Month of May" and "Camelot." The performance featured Drama alumnus Matias De La Flor (B.F.A. '22) in the ensemble.

"Camelot" follows King Arthur from a young, ambitious, idealistic King who dreams of creating a just society to the despairing king bearing witness to his dream's demise.

Did you catch a connection to a 2023 Tonys win that is not included on this list?Send us an emailand we will update the story.

by Natalie Shrader

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Leo Frank

Watching the Tonys, thinking about church Baptist News Global – Baptist News Global

The presenters sound like ministers winging the announcements.

I am watching The 76th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway, and missing the writers.

The Writers Guild of America is on strike, so they came up with a curious compromise with the Tonys. They agreed to an unscripted broadcast. Presenters are not allowed to read off prompters, but they can use cue cards. The effect was amusing at first but then became depressing like an unfortunate solo on Youth Sunday. (Imagine the opposite of Lea Michelle singing Dont Rain on My Parade.)

Brett Younger

The shows nominated for Tony Awards can be depressing enough to make everyone want to go on strike. Broadway is all about heartache.

Leopoldstadt is a heart-wrenching play about a World War II-era Viennese Jewish family, many of whom die at the hands of the Nazis.

Prima Facie comes with a trigger warning. A criminal defense attorney must rethink her views after she is sexually assaulted.

Good Night, Oscar is the true story of Oscar Levants struggles with mental illness.

Life of Pi is about a boy who survives a shipwreck, but his family does not.

This years shows take tragedy seriously war, antisemitism, misogyny, mental illness, death.

The revivals are depressing, too.

Parade is a painful story of antisemitism. In Atlanta in 1915, Leo Frank is arrested, sentenced, and lynched for the rape and murder of a teenager. The play concludes he was the innocent victim of prejudice.

Sweeney Todd is murder and revenge.

Camelot is adultery and war.

The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window ends with a suicide.

Funny Girl ends with a seriously rained-out parade as Fanny and Nick go their separate ways.

A view of the audience during The 76th Annual Tony Awards at United Palace Theater on June 11, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions )

Three new shows Kimberly Akimbo, which won the most Tonys with five, Fat Ham, and New York, New York had 22 Tony nominations and seem to fit the pattern of despair.

Kimberly Akimbo has a disease that causes her to age four times faster. Her life expectancy was 16. She is aging fast and surrounded by adults who never grow up a hypochondriacal mother, an irresponsible father, and an aunt who has only terrible ideas.

Patrick Marber, winner of Best Direction Of A Play Award for Leopoldstadt, poses in the press room during The 76th Annual Tony Awards at Radio Hotel on June 11, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Fat Ham is Shakespeares Hamlet set at a North Carolina barbecue, a backyard celebration of Juicys moms marriage to his uncle a week after the death of his father. The fathers ghost demands that Juicy, a queer, Black, Southern, college kid, avenge his murder. Juicy asks, What do you do when God dont want you and the devil wont have you? The play deals with homophobia and the inherited trauma of Black men going in and out of prison since the Civil War.

New York, New York is based on the movie of the same name set just after World War II. Robert DeNiro and Liza Minnelli are musicians with big dreams that are not coming true. They want music, money and love and do not get them.

These three shows reflect a culture that leans in the direction of despair disease, crime, murder, racism, homophobia, greed and shattered dreams. But then each show unexpectedly chooses not to give up and leaves room for hope.

The 1977 movie New York, New York ends with the star-crossed lovers breaking up. The new musical has a loud, happy ending. If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere, and they do.

Isnt changing the ending an interesting choice?

LaChanze, winner of the awards for Best Musical for Kimberly Akimbo and Best Revival of a Play for Topdog/Underdog, poses in the press room during The 76th Annual Tony Awards at Radio Hotel on June 11, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

In the original Hamlet, nine of the 11 characters die. Fat Ham is supposed to be the same tragedy, but Juicy does not want to go down the same road as his father. He longs for hope, love and joy. To be or not to be? he wants to be. In the retelling, there are two deaths, still too many, but less than nine. Why would the playwright make the most famous tragedy hopeful?

Kimberly Akimbo ends not with Kimberlys death, but with a love scene between a tuba-playing, high school ber-nerd and a 16-year-old girl who looks like his grandmother. She has figured out how to live each day to the fullest. She wants to have an adventure while she can. The sun shines through the clouds. Hope overcomes tragedy.

The 24-hour news cycle runs on misery about 23 of those hours.

Why would Broadway celebrate optimism in a world that reveres pessimism? Our culture encourages us to give up and give in. Our national ethos promotes anxiety and belittles hope. We treat despair, relativism and cynicism as signs of intelligence. The 24-hour news cycle runs on misery about 23 of those hours.

One of the purposes of art is to challenge the status quo. When the culture is obsessed with the clouds, the best artists aim for the sun. When the national ethos seems to prefer darkness, the church has an opportunity to focus on light. Deconstruction makes room for reconstruction. People need sincerity, idealism and truth. When our country embraces gloom, Christianity points to a brighter day.

We do not have to deny the problems to recognize the joy beyond despair.

The churchs message is that we should not give up, except to give up our worries to God. We should not give in, except to give in to the love that brings Gods intentions in the world, in spite of what gets the most attention. When things are falling apart, God comes in a new way of seeing things and a new sense of purpose.

When it feels like whoever is supposed to be writing our story is on strike, the church gets to say, Life can be a tragedy, but it is also a brand-new musical.

Brett Younger serves as senior minister at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Leo Frank

KP grad wins Tony Award for Broadway show – The Sun Chronicle

WRENTHAM A King Philip Regional High School graduate has won a Tony Award for a Broadway show he helped produced.

Evan McGill, 40, a former Wrentham resident who graduated from King Philip in 2002, was awarded a Tony as part of a producing team for Parade, which won in the Best Revival of a Musical category.

The 76th Tony Awards were held Sunday night at the United Palace in New York City.

This is the biggest award Ive ever won, McGill said. We had won a Drama Desk Award for Parade a few weeks ago for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, but the Tony Award is the most prestigious award in theater. Its not only exciting to win, but its also exciting to see this explosive revival of Parade getting national attention.

Parade, which opened on Broadway in March, tells the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish superintendent of a pencil factory in Georgia in 1913 who is wrongfully accused of committing a murder. It stars Ben Platt, who performed in the Dear Evan Hansen show, and Micaela Diamond, who was in The Cher Show musical.

Our whole team is sincerely thankful to the American Theatre Wing, the Broadway community and of course the cast and crew who perform this show on Broadway eight times a week, McGill said, adding the show is on Broadway through Aug. 6.

McGill had also been nominated for a Tony Award as a producer of The Sign In Sidney Brusteins Window, under the Best Revival of a Play category.

It opened on Broadway in April after a successful run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in March. It encompasses themes of race, suicide, and homosexuality, and also focuses on individual characters learning to cope with life. It stars Oscar Isaac (Star Wars sequels) and Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.)

McGill performed in his first musical at age 6 and has been involved with theater at some level ever since. He acted locally with Mansfield-based Un-Common Theatre Company.

His company, Evan McGill Productions, has been involved in bringing various productions to Broadway including Mr. Saturday Night, which starred comedian Billy Crystal, as well as Kimberly Akimbo, which opened on Broadway in November and received eight Tony Award nominations this year, including Best Musical.

McGill has also produced various Broadway cast albums.

He was a producer of The Music Man: The 2022 Broadway Cast Recording featuring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, as well as executive producer of the Broadway cast recording for the revival of Funny Girl, currently playing on Broadway, featuring Glee star Lea Michele. Both albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard Cast Albums chart.

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KP grad wins Tony Award for Broadway show - The Sun Chronicle