Nashville sings for The Tonys at FIRST NIGHT: THE TONY CONCERT 6/6

Tony Awards excitement comes to a head in Music City USA next week, as the Broadway theater awards presentation gets the full Nashville treatment with two events designed to involve the local theater community in the celebration.

First up is First Night: The Tony Concert, presented by Keeping Scores Concerts at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre on Monday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring some of Nashville's biggest and brightest theater stars performing songs from Tony Award-winning musicals, the concert is the kick-off of the 2011 First Night Season, culminating with First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, which will be presented at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday, September 4.

On Sunday, June 12, while the 2011 Tonys are being handed out in New York City, Nashville's theaterati will gather at The Keeton Theatre in Donelson for First Night: The Tony Party. The red carpet event will welcome party-goers beginning at 6:30 p.m. (CDT) who'll celebrate the night while watching the CBS telecast of The Tony Awards and indulging in fun and frivolity of a Music City variety.

Tickets for First Night: The Tony Concert and for First Night: The Tony Party are $15 each. For more information about First Night Events, call (615) 530-6178 and to learn more about First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, visit the website at www.FirstNightNashville.com.

Among the performers taking part in First Night: The Tony Concert, along with some insight into their performances, are...

Darci Wantiez

What song are you singing in the concert and what show is it from? I am joining two other fantastic women singing 'At The Ballet' from A Chorus Line. I'll be singing the role of Maggie.

How does this song or this show speak to you personally? Well, I think most anyone who's ever auditioned for anything can relate to A Chorus Line. As far as the song reflecting who I am, my goodness, that could get personal...and hey - we just met! This song gets pretty personal for all three women as they reveal how their own lives are not as beautiful, happy, or dependable as they felt when they were at the ballet. As far as my life, I love stepping into the world of theater and having the opportunity to 'borrow' that character, that reality for just a moment, and draw the audience into that world in the same way. It's refreshing...and I think one of the reasons people love live theater.

What's your favorite Tony Award telecast memory? I always love getting together with a group of my most dramatic friends (you can interpret that as you will) and enjoying food and fun while watching the Tony Awards unfold. Somehow watching the year The Producers walked away with so many awards sticks out in my mind - one of the last years with my Iowa friends before moving to Nashville.

What show will win the Tony this year for Best Musical? I'm making a guess on The Book of Mormon...but I like to focus on the revival of Anything Goes. I'm such a sucker for those classics.

 

Jaclyn Brown

What song are you singing in the concert and what show is it from? "100 Easy Ways To Lose A Man" from Wonderful Town.

How does this song or this show speak to you? "100 Ways" was assigned to me. I had never heard it before, and wasn't familiar with the show, but it was fun to learn. Her tongue-in-cheek
instructions about men are just as funny and relevant to girls today as they were when the show went up in 1953. Thanks, Jef and Scott - I think I've found a new audition song!

What's your favorite Tony Award telecast memory? Anything Kristin Chenoweth ever did, said, or sang on the Tonys. Can I be her when I grow up? Guess I'll have to lose this pregnant belly first.

What show will win the Tony this year for Best Musical? The Book Of Mormon.

 

Joshua Waldrep

What song will you be singing? "I Really Like Him" from Man of La Mancha.

How does this song reflect who you are personally? I have never seen the show nor was I familiar with any of the music, including this song. But after listening to it and I realized how gay the lyrics are, perhaps I could throw a little extra gay-ness to get a laugh...I was a happy camper.
What's your favorite Tony Awards memory? The 52nd annual Tony Awards in 1998 when the cast of Ragtime (my favorite musical) performed the opening number was a great moment for me.
What show will win Best Musical this year? Hands down, The Book of Mormon. Anything with Trey Parker and Matt Stone...I am on board.

 

Amanda Lamb

What song are you singing in the concert and what show is it from?  I am singing "Good Morning Baltimore" from Hairspray.

How does this song or this show speak to you personally? I adore this show...a chunky girl wins! 

What's your favorite Tony Award telecast memory? I was really excited when John Willis won an honorary award for heading up Theatre World. He is from Morristown and that's where I'm from.

What show will win the Tony this year for Best Musical? Is it bad that I don't know what's nominated? 

- Tickets for First Night: The Tony Concert and for First Night: The Tony Party are $15 each. For more information about First Night Events, call (615) 530-6178 and to learn more about First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, visit the website at www.FirstNightNashville.com.