The Tonys Love Rosie and So Should You! 10 Reasons to Adore Rosie O'Donnell

By: Apr. 01, 2014
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As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that Rosie O'Donnell will receive the 2014 Isabelle Stevenson Award. This award will be presented at the 2014 Tony Awardson Sunday, June 8th. The 2014 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

The Isabelle Stevenson Award is presented annually to a member of the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.

In honor of the big announcement, BroadwayWorld brings you ten reasons that we adore this Broadway-lovin' lady!


1. She's dedicated to arts education.

In 2003, Rosie's For All Kids Foundation launched Rosie's Broadway Kids, which is now known as Rosie's Theater Kids (RTKids). Rosie's Theater Kids is a non-profit arts education organization which continually provides training in dance, music and drama for students attending public school in New York City. Dedicated to enriching the lives of children though the arts, their goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, build confidence, and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

2. She'll always be a Broadway baby.

Rosie's not just a fan of Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of Grease as 'Rizzo'. Since then she has starred as 'The Cat in the Hat' in Seussical (2001), and replaced Andrea Martin as 'Golde' in Fiddler on the Roof (2004). She was also a lead producer for Taboo in 2003.

3. She's Tony's host extraordinaire.

Before there was Hugh and Neil, there was Rosie. O'Donnell hosted three Tony Awards ceremonies- 1997, 1998, and with Nathan Lane in 2000.

4. She's an amazing crafter.

Believe it or not, Rosie has her own Etsy shop, at which she sells her own crafty creations to benefit The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF). She has created everything from paintings to toy robots for a great cause.

5. She's always been an advocate of Broadway.

While The Rosie O'Donnell Show was on the air, Rosie proved to be Broadway's biggest champion, featuring show after show in perfomance. For six seasons (1996-2002) the show featured the casts from Side Show to Thoroughly Modern Millie. She continued that tradition with her 2011 OWN show.

6. She's an active Tweeter.

Rosie is great at keeping her followers posted on her day to day happenings via her Twitter account, plus she's also active on Instagram and Facebook.

Recent tweet: She loves to fly and it shows !!

7. She good to her fans.

Rosie's not afraid to get candid with her fans. She blogs reguarly on her official website (Rosie.com) and she reguarly answers questions directly from her followers. Have a question for Rosie, ask away!

8. She can do it all.

Not only is she an award-winniing television host and Broadway star, she got her start doing standup and is also known for her work in television and films like Sleepless in Seattle, A League of Their Own, Tarzan, Now and Then, The Flinstones and MANY more. She has also written two books, Celebrity Detox and Find Me.

9. She's been a leader in the fight for LGBT equality.

In 2002, as part of her act at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club O'Donnell came out as a lesbian, announcing "I'm a dyke! I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing. People are confused, they're shocked, like this is a big revelation to somebody." Since then she has been an advocate for gay adoption rights.

10. Really though, is there anything Rosie CAN'T do?

We love Rosie, and you should too!


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