The Drama Book Shop presents, in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications, “The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre” with Eila Mell and Heather A. Hitchens – A talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.
Tuesday, June 11 · 7:30 – 8:30pm EDT
The Drama Book Shop
266 West 39th Street
New York City
“I’m a writer who specializes in Broadway, film and television. I wrote the official books of the Tony Awards and Project Runway,” Eila Mell stated proudly. I started my career as a 12 year old actor, and after ten years, I switched to writing after losing a role on As the World Turns to Parker Posey, she continued. Seems this lose was a super-gain for this talented wordsmith. It gave her the idea for her first book: Casting-Might-Have Beens — all about people who were almost casts in roles that went to others. Since then she has regaled the reading public with lively and engrossing tomes leading up to this definitive read on the TONYs.
What was the inspiration behind this project?
The American Theatre Wing wanted to do a book to celebrate their 75th anniversary. For many years Isabelle Stevenson would do her own small annual books on the current season which celebrated the winners. This book is in that style, but on a much bigger scale. The main difference is that my book includes interviews and very personal stories from over 140 Tony winners.
Why do we LOVE the TONYs so much!
For so many of us the Tonys is our superbowl! It’s a time to reflect and reward art and the artists that work so hard. Unlike the other major award shows, many of the Tony nominees are not celebrities or household names. It is often a career high right in front of our eyes. It’s also a rare glimpse for people who don’t live in or near New York to get a glimpse of a Broadway show. Those performances have inspired many Tony winners to pursue a career in the theatre.
You interviewed score of celebraties for his compelling book. What – have you discovered – connects them all in some way?
The strongest connection I’ve found is the strong sense of community in the theatre. Only theatre artists know what it is to have an 8 show week, or what it’s like to do a show out of town. This is a community that is close in a rare and special way. The entire cast must all be together at every performance. This creates very strong ties that can last a lifetime.
Any story or commentary stand out amongst the others – for honesty? Shock? Hear-warming, etc..?
There are so many wonderful stories that it’s hard to choose! I love Audra McDonald’s account of watching the Tonys as a little girl in Fresno, Chita Rivera’s story of why she called Jerome Robbins Big Daddy, Nathan Lane describing seeing Phil Silvers in A Funny Thing Happened on the Wayne to the Forum and Lin-Manuel Miranda explaining the impact Hamilton has had on the world. I am so honored that so many people opened up in a deeply personal way to share their stories.
Why YOUR TONY book as opposed to others – what’s unique about it?
It is not about facts and figures like many other award show books. The book lists every winner for every year, but also gives readers a true insight into what it is like to win.
Why do we need the Drama Book Shop?
The Drama Book Shop is vital to young artists. I grew up going there and am the better for it. There is no other place where you can browse through almost any script published. It provides a much needed way to discover new playwrights. The events they hold are not only informative, but also super fun! And last but not least, the Drama Book Shop has changed theatre as we know it. Not so long ago producer Jill Furman discovered Lin-Manuel Miranda when he did a very early production of In the Heights there. The story is in the book!
ARTIUM: OMNI 