Jim Parsons News

The 2012 Tony Awards Nominations Announcement was co-hosted this morning by Tony winning actress Kristin Chenoweth and Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Jim Parsons. The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Click here for the complete list of nominations! Click here for the nominations by the numbers. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the announcement conference bright and early this morning and caught up with stars Jim Parsons and Kristin Chenoweth immediately following the announcements. Revisit the exciting morning below!

'I'm feeling pretty high right now- it's wonderful! I'm so happy for the production and all of the people in the cast even though they weren't recognized. I feel like the play is getting some important recognition because of this. My publicist Mandy called me on the phone to give me the news this morning. I chose not watch the TV. I've done that before and it makes me a nervous wreck- it seems that 'L' comes too late in the alphabet for that. I have to do the show tonight and then I'm taking the cast out for drinks- and trust me, they're big drinkers!'

'This is tremendously exciting for me. Of course, I'd have like to have more of my company joining me, as in this show what I do is only possible because of Elena and Ricky and the rest of the company effort. We are a very tight ensemble and I am proud to represent the work we've all done. I get to celebrate today by spending time it in studio recording the Evita cast album, so that's a real treat!'

Stockard Channing, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for OTHER DESERT CITIES 'I feel great its such a good day! I got woken up with the news, but that was fine! It's not an easy thing to wake me up early! I work the night shift. This nomination really means a lot to me because I really love this play. It has been a very big part of my life for quite a while so to have it recognized like this is a thrill. There's no time to celebrate since I have a show to perform tonight, but I think that will be a celebration in itself.'

'It's wonderful. Very excited. I was woken up with the news so I didn't even have to get nervous, which was nice. But since I found out it's a whirlwind - my phone and Facebook page and email have been blowing up with hundreds of messages, some from people I haven't heard from in several years. But my agent says that my first order of business is to get myself cleaned up so I supposed I have to go out and buy some new clothes today!'

'I'm doing pretty good! Although I just had an experience on the New Jersey Turnpike that put things into perspective for me. There was a terrible accident right in front of us! It definitely put things into perspective. I'm elated about all of this. I'm elated to be in the show and to have this marvelous cast surrounding me- to get to work with Kelli, and Michael, and Kathleen. It's all a wonderful gift as always. I happened to have turned on the TV this morning and there it was in front of me. It knew it was coming but I had forgotten they were today! I'm opening wonderful emails from friends and then I'm gonna go do this wonderful show that I'm in. It's been an esspecially great week for me because I just celebrated 25th wedding anniversary too!'

'I feel so grateful. it's been an absolute joyous year for me - a roller coaster, really, that I thought might end but I guess not! I woke up just in time to watch the broadcast online with my finance and puppy. I was really nervous as I was watching and when they said my name there was a big of a reaction as you can expect in my apartment for just having woken up. Now I plan to take it easy and catch up on my DVR! '

'I'm feeling quite happy right now! It's quite a nice surprise to wake up to! I got the news this morning from my agent, who also happens to be a close friend. It's always such an honor to be acknowedged and to have your work recognized. Especially when you've been around a while, its a thrill to be able tio change things and reinvent things. I feel deeply honored. There might have to be an extra special glass of cabernet with dinner tonight to celebrate!'

'I cannot believe it! This so outrageous! To be making my Broadway debut and to be nominated for a Tony Award... I sing and perform because I love it and I never even considered the awards or being nominated. I never even thought about it! This morning I was watching the news and they announced four categories and then cut back to the hosts. So I ran to my computer to look up who else was nominated and that was 10 or 15 minutes later. I didnt get any calls so I thought I didn't get anything. Then I watched the video and my name was the first one! My picture popped up and I started shaking. I might have to have a vodka orange juice. I'm going to breathe it in and take some time and evaluate my life and my career and thank all the people who helped me to get to this point. It's amazing that this is the mecca for performance and to be nominated out of all those people is a big deal.'

'We are over the moon. The work has spoken for itself, even through the adversity, and I just couldn't be prouder of the cast and the show. I was going to try to play it cool this morning, but I was too excited so I was up early watching the broadcast. It is my first nomination! I couldn't believe my name was called - I rewound the broadcast on my DVR just to be sure. I think we'll have a little celebration at work tonight!'

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for THE 66th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS® were announced today by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jim Parsons and Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement.

We'll be talking to nominees all day for their reactions! Click here for the complete list! Audra McDonald for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS 'I am honored and grateful and I'm super thrilled for the production as a whole to get so many nominations. I am so proud of this production and thankful to the Tony nominating committee for recognizing all aspects of the show. I got the news via text message. As usual, it was up at 6:15 for me to get the kids to school and I was back in bed by 8! Will was here though so it was nice to roll over when I got the news and say 'Hey I got a nomination!' Then we both conked out again. When we finally got up I asked him to be my date for the Tonys - he said yes! - so I guess that was our little celebration. Now it's back to being a mom for the day and get ready for the show tonight. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at the theater tonight to congratulate them.'

Grant Olding for Best Original Score for ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS 'This is just unbelievable! I just I can't believe the score has been recognized. You see, we don't have honors for this category in England so just to be acknowledged by the community in New York for my work is such an honor and a thrill. I was actually at an award's ceremony when I found out and I had 35 texts and emails with the news when I finally looked at my phone. I was completly shocked and am looking forward to coming back for the awards soon. '

James Corden, Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for One Man Two Guvnors "I'm absolutely thrilled to be nominated for a Tony Award and to see my name on a list with these four American acting legends is overwhelming. I'm eating a cookie right now, so it's a very nice Tuesday! I was watching the announcement on the TV. Getting up at 8:30 is far too early, but I have a one-year-old so I was already up convincing him that eating crayons is a bad idea. It's so overwheming to be on the list with those people. I'm really thilled for Tom Edden! I have to do a show tonight and there's no time to celebrate when you have a one-year-old. There's no time for celebration!"

Jayne Houdyshell, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for FOLLIES 'I'm in LA and so I'm still just waking up and in shock. In a way it hasn't even hit yet, but boy what a lovely honor! I am just so happy for the show. That's the most thrilling thing. When I came on board in New York I was just so excited and now to be honored is unbelievable. It has been nothing but pure joy to be a part of Follies. And today, we get to be reunited for tech in LA so that's the best possible way to celebrate.'

'I feel great - calm and good! My husband came in and told me this morning. We both had messages on our phones because we had them off. I try not to put too much pressure on the situation. He told me to wake up and it was a great way to start the day! This one feels different for me. I'm so excited and relieved- it makes you feel good and validated, though I hate to admit it. It feels very overindulgent because the show had been so fun, easy, and effortless. I love the people involved and it's been the icing on an already big cake. I'll do my show with my great cast and crew tonight and we'll all celebrate that we've been recognized. It's great- it makes you feel like you've already won.'

'I can't believe it. It's such a humble and delicate show, so I'm just so thrilled that it's enjoying so much success. There is something about the rawness that seems to be touching people, I guess. I was actually out watching a lunchtime play here in Scotland and all of a sudden my phone started buzzing like crazy and I thought 'Oh My God, who has died?' It's that terrible! So I took my phone out and saw the text messages saying that we had gotten all of these nominations so it's safe to say that I enjoyed the last 10 minutes of the play immensely.'

Earlier this morning, stage and screen stars Kristin Chenoweth & Jim Parsons announced this year's Tony nominees from the New York Public Library. In a season as rich as this past theatrical season though, there are only so many spots for nominees and some very talented shows and performers were not nominated. Below are the eligible performers and shows who were not nominatined in the major categories.

Rick Elice, Nominated for Best Play for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER 'I was feeling neurotic this morning and forced myself to go outside in the rain to get away from the TV and phone. So I went to Starbucks and got a coffee and stood under the arch of the Natural History Museum at 77th Street to drink my coffee out of the rain when my pocket started buzzing. I figured it was good news at that point! I heard Nicholas Hynter in an interview recently say 'It's great to be on Broadway' and that's just how I feel - it's going to become my mantra I think. It's especially great to be on Broadway with a passion project like Peter And The Starcatcher. It seemed so unlikely that we would make it to Broadway when we first started. I have to tell you, it is because of BroadwayWorld's contest last year that helped enable us to bring the show to Broadway. You ran a poll about which off Broadway play was the most popular and our show won by such a large margin that we were sending the link around to several producers who were on the fence to show just how much people loved it. So yes, if people are enjoying the work it then I'll be a very happy fellow. It is great to be on Broadway. And now I have to do my laundry.'

Roger Rees, Best Direction of a Play for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER 'I feel very elated because many years ago I won a Tony for 'Best Actor' and now im up for director! So it's very thrilling! I'm up with the wonderful Alex Timbers and we're very very pleased to be nominated. I was walking in the park this morning when I got the phone call with the news. Now I'm going off to rehearsal with B.D. Wong for Herring Bone. I'm already late for that! I'm very pleased because we got 9 nominations and I'm just so very pleased for everyone connected with the show- the actors, the crew, and the whole team really! Everyone really contributed and hopefully many more people will come and see the show because of this.'