Irish Win Tony Nods

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Irish Voice News

Irish Win Tony Nods

May 15, 2008

By Cahir O’Doherty

THE nominations for the 2008 Tony Awards were announced on Tuesday and Irish plays, playwrights and actors are all in the running.

The Seafarer, a supernatural crowd pleaser by Conor McPherson about two lonely brothers playing unlikely hosts to the devil — and currently receiving its Irish premiere at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin — has been nominated for four awards in the categories of Best Play, Best Direction of a Play (both for McPherson) and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (for actors Conleth Hill and Jim Norton).

Sinead Cusack, daughter of the revered Irish actor Cyril Cusack, has received a Best Performance by a Featured Actress nomination for her role in Tom Stoppard’s play Rock n’ Roll, a drama which juxtaposes highlights of 20th century rock with the downfall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Irish American playwrights and performers were also singled out for Tony nominations this year. Despite ho-hum reviews, Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan (recently profiled in the Irish Voice) were nominated for Best Book of a Musical for their work on Cry Baby.

In a statement the new Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen applauded the Irish Tony nominees.

“These nominations are a testament to the quality of creative Irish writing, acting and directing talent. Once again Irish theatre practitioners are at the forefront in entertaining and thrilling world audiences,” said Cullen.

The prestigious awards ceremony will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 15.

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