Ben Platt, Jodie Comer, Jessica Chastain, Samuel L Jackson and more react to their Tony nominations

Ben Platt – Best Actor in a Musical – Parade
“I watched CBS in bed with my fiancé and woke up just in time to see Myles and Lea and we got some good news! It’s wonderful. It’s so special to have a partner in crime in the show [in Micaela Diamond] and the fact that we really love and respect each other as people is kind of a cherry on top. So to be able to go through this together makes it way less daunting and way more fun. And I’m also super super proud of my close friend Colton Ryan who’s in my category with me and I’m really looking forward to going through it with him as well because he’s a wonderful guy and we go way back.

“As a Jew and obviously as a musical theatre lover this show is really special to me, so to be part of this company already feels like a huge life honor, so this is kind of an embarrassment of riches. I think it’s so important that people see this and witness this particular story, so if this is going to help more people to do that, then wonderful.”

Josh Groban – Best Actor in a Musical – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
It’s surreal. It’s been such an amazing journey. Theatre takes a long time. The culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of extraordinary people putting in their hard work – when it gets to a point like this morning, it’s just an extraordinary feeling and one I don’t take for granted. A lot of gratitude this morning. It’s so fitting because [Annaleigh Ashford and I] have gone through this whole process side by side. We’re really ready to go and both feeling so happy for the show and so happy for each other.

“Our goal number one with this was to do right by [Stephen Sondheim] and to bring it to audiences in a way that would make him excited by their response. I know that it was so important to him that his work continue to reach people who knew his work and people for whom this might be their first live Sweeney. There isn’t a minute that goes by that we don’t wish that we had his presence and his guidance, but we also really strive to get it right each night in a way that would make him proud. Today is definitely a testament to the fact that in some ways we’ve done that for him.”

Jodie Comer – Best Actress in a Play – Prima Facie
“”I love getting to play the role of Tessa in Prima Facie, so to receive this Tony Award nomination for my Broadway debut is beyond my wildest dreams. Broadway audiences have been so welcoming to me, so it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to get to speak Suzie Miller’s words in her vital and urgent play, and for director Justin Martin, who guided me every step of the way.”

Patrick Marber – Best Direction of a Play – Leopoldstadt
“I’ve been directing Tom’s Leopoldstadt for the last four years. This is a thrilling acknowledgement for the play and for all of us who have sailed in it.”

Lorna Courtney – Best Actress in a Musical – & Juliet
“My heart is so full and warm to be nominated in this category with such amazing performers. I was at my best friend’s house, and we were all holding each other’s hands – my best friend and her mom. I was so happy for everyone in the category and then they said my name and I was shocked. It’s funny that the awards come out early in the morning like this because it really tests how much of your voice you have with all of the screaming that you do. It means everything, especially as a woman of color. I think the reason why people love the show is they see themselves in each one of us. I’m getting emotional because it’s a win for my community – minorities, people of color, people from Queens. In seventh grade, I decided I wanted to be a singer and I didn’t know how far I could go with it. And to be nominated alongside one of my musical theatre idols, Audra McDonald, means everything. When we were watching, I was like, ‘Audra saw this too!'”

Betsy Wolfe – Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical – & Juliet
“I’m overjoyed. I immediately think of little perm-haired Betsy who could only dream of performing on a Broadway stage while watching the Tonys every year in her living room. I fell in love with & Juliet the moment I read it, and to be recognized by the nominating committee is beyond special. My hair has come a long way, and I’m grateful I have too.”

Bill Sherman – Best Orchestrations – & Juliet
“Thank you to the Tony Awards, the cast, crew, creatives, and the producers of & Juliet. To be recognized for our work on a show that exudes such joy is truly an honor. A special thank you to Max Martin for redefining an entire generation and history of music. Dominic and I were honored to take this amazing music apart and put it all back together again for Broadway.”

Dominic Fallarco – Best Orchestrations – & Juliet

“What an honor it is to be nominated for a Tony, along with my fantastic collaborator Bill Sherman – especially in a field of such wonderful nominees! Thank you to Max for trusting us with some of the best songs of the last few decades. It’s a labor of love to put so much detail into the notes and the sound and I’m thrilled to have that work recognized. I’m so proud of our show, and honored to share it with the world – congratulations to all the nominees.”

Jennifer Weber – Double nominee for Best Choreography – KPOP and & Juliet
“It was so surreal being nominated twice. I heard my name once and jumped up and cheered – then I heard my name again and I sat down in shock. It was so wild – and unexpected. I’m so grateful for both shows to be recognized – what an exciting season for dance on Broadway.”

Wendell Pierce – Best Actor in a Play – Death of a Salesman
“This was such a beautiful, life-changing experience. I have a great sense of pride in the work and the effort that went into producing the play, and a sense of great satisfaction that I met this great challenge. To know that there were colleagues who thought enough of my work to give me this honor makes it very special. I did not know how moving this would feel. I’m still crying tears of joy and drinking loads of champagne.”

Samuel L Jackson – Best Featured Actor in a Play – The Piano Lesson
“It’s a thrill to be nominated. This honor is particularly special having been under the direction of LaTanya and getting to continue August Wilson’s legacy on Broadway after first performing The Piano Lesson on stage at the Yale Repertory Theater 35 years ago. Thank you to the members of the American Theater Wing & Broadway League. Congratulations to all of the nominees.”

Jamie Lloyd – Best Direction of A Play – A Doll’s House
“Working with Jessica Chastain, Arian Moayed, Amy Herzog and the entire company of A Doll’s House has been one of the greatest experiences of my career. It was a privilege to create this new production of Ibsen’s masterpiece for Broadway audiences with a team of exceptional artists. We are honored and grateful to be recognised with these Tony nominations.”

Arian Moayed – Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play – A Doll’s House
“I don’t have enough words to describe how honored and excited I am. The only joy greater than this Tony nomination is sharing it with Jessica, Jamie, Amy and the incredible company of A Doll’s House.”

Jessica Chastain – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play – A Doll’s House

“If I could tell that girl who yearly recorded the Tony Awards on her VHS that this would happen, it would have blown my world open. To tell her she’d be living in New York, performing in A Doll’s House, and nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress… It is a dream come true. Thank you so much to The Wing and the Tony Awards for recognizing our play. Thank you, The Jamie Lloyd Company, Ambassador Theatre Group, Wessex Grove, Hudson Theatre, Gavin Kalin Productions and 101 for believing in us. Everyday I get to say Amy Herzog’s words and act with the most incredible group of artists. Jamie Lloyd, none of this would have happened without you. Love you very much.”