On the 30th anniversary of winning a regional-theater Tony, San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre is celebrating its latest Broadway honors — four Tonys for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”
The production, which had its world premiere in Balboa Park, won Sunday for Best Musical.
Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael Murphy had a busy night Sunday at the 68th annual Tony Awards.
Also honored were Robert L. Freedman for Best Book of a Musical, Linda Cho for Best Costume Design of a Musical and Darko Tresnjak for Best Direction of a Musical.
“I should thank so many people, but most of all my mom, (who) literally taught me how to jump out of airplanes,” U-T San Diego quoted Tresnjak as saying. “She fought during the Second World War — she was a skydiver in the 1940s.”
On Monday, Edelstein said: “We are so happy that the Globe was part of this triumphant work of musical theater, and we are ecstatic that its four Tony Awards remind the entire country that San Diego is a great American theater city.”
“Robert L. Freedman, Linda Cho and our beloved Darko Tresnjak deserve our special recognition, but we applaud everyone involved in this wonderful show — including our great friend, its Broadway producer Joey Parnes.”
Said Murphy: “We’re honored to add a Tony Award for Best Musical to the long list of esteemed awards and honors that the Globe has received over its incredible history.”
By Wikipedia’s count, the Old Globe now boasts 13 Tony Awards, including one in 1984 for Best Regional Theater.
Former Old Globe Co-Artistic Director Tresnjak returned to the Globe to direct the production.
Based on the novel “Israel Rank” by Roy Horniman, the musical also featured choreography by Peggy Hickey. “Gentleman’s Guide” ran March 8 – April 14, 2013, on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
“It is particularly gratifying that this extraordinary musical was created by and for the regional theatre and has now become the toast of Broadway — which is a testament to the genius, skill and talent of our artists and craftspeople,” Murphy said.
The Globe’s creative team included Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Design), Aaron Rhyne (Projection Design), Charles LaPointe (Wig Design), Jonathan Tunick (Orchestrator), Mike Ruckles (Music Director), Dianne Adams McDowell and Steven Lutvak (Vocal Arrangements), Binder Casting (Casting) and Susie Cordon (Stage Manager).
A Gentleman’s Guide had earned 10 nominations, the most of any production of the season.
These included Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak; Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham; Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Lauren Worsham; Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Alexander Dodge; and Best Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick.
The 68th Annual Tony Awards were televised live on CBS from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on Sunday.
The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement.
