2025 Tony Nominees for Best Featured Actress in a Musical Share Their Experiences

Honoring Real Lives On Stage

• 💡 Gracie Lawrence, playing Connie Francis in "Just in Time," discusses the balance between honoring a real person and creating a character.
• 🎭 She emphasizes evoking the spirit of real people rather than doing impressions, finding relatable struggles for women in the music industry across different eras.
• 🌱 Lawrence reflects on her childhood passion for theater, seeing her return to Broadway 16 years later as a full-circle moment and an ode to her younger self.

The Power of Reimagined Classics

• 🎯 Joy Woods, who plays Louise in "Gypsy," highlights the importance of recontextualizing classic musicals to introduce them to new audiences.
• 💬 She notes the visceral audience reactions to pivotal moments in "Gypsy," emphasizing the specialness of being part of that experience for first-time viewers.
• 🌟 Woods expresses surprise and gratitude for her nomination, calling it a "real shock" and a "dreamy" experience, feeling lucky to embody a role that allows for such versatility.

Celebrating Diverse Performances

• 👏 The nominees acknowledge the exceptional talent within their category, with many being first-time nominees, underscoring the honor of inclusion.
• 🎤 The season is noted for its powerful women's performances across various categories, with actresses "killing it" and delivering incredible work.
• 🗣️ Art is seen as a means of saying something meaningful, with current shows addressing relevant social themes, such as the portrayal of Latinos, and asserting joy despite adversity.

Iconic Roles and Artistic Expression

• 🌟 Natalie Venicio Belone, playing Omara in "Buena Vista Social Club," shares her excitement about meeting and portraying the real-life icon.
• 🎨 She describes the show as a "work of art" and a "painting," where each cast member contributes their unique "splashes of paint and color."
• 🎭 Belone discusses the challenge and honor of playing a true-life icon, balancing the need to honor her grace and elegance with the creative freedom of a "musical fable."