“She’s such an extraordinary human being and artist,” said Patrick Herold, the co-head of theater at UTA with Rachel Viola, of their client Erivo. “When you sit with her, she feels so authentic, so real. This incredible energy that comes off of her.”
Jay Gassner, UTA partner and co-head of talent, shared the sentiment. “It’s exciting that we’re honoring Cynthia, and we have the most nominations we’ve ever had,” he said. “This is the best year we’ve ever had as a group, and we’re just getting started.”
Decorated with white roses and the scent of Parfums de Marly wafting through the air, the Times Square Edition was transformed into the perfect venue to fête Broadway’s hottest stars. Tony nominee Jak Malone, decked out in pearls and a blue sweater, and the cast of the British musical Operation Mincemeat were right on time, as were Tony nominees Julia Knitel, Jeb Brown, and others from another best musical nominee Dead Outlaw, both talking shop in their own respective corners. There were also allies to the theater industry as well, like actor and singer Joshua Bassett, the one-time subject of both Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter songs, and choreographer Justin Peck, who last year won a Tony for Illinoise.
“It feels like Broadway is really back,” said Tony-winner Kara Young. Although she’s nominated for best supporting actress in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Pulitzer Prize-winning best play nominee Purpose, Young has already made history as the first actress to receive four consecutive Tony nominations in a row, all in the best supporting actress category. Broadway is so back that Young had to rush out the door to get to her evening performance in time.
Joy Woods and Lewis also had call times to make. The Broadway stars chatted in the corner of the party, discussing the grind of Tony season on top of performing eight shows a week. “I know what I’m wearing. I know what time I got to be where I got to be. I’m gonna call one out on Sunday,” said Woods, who’s nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Louise opposite McDonald’s towering Mama Rose in Gypsy. “The fact that they don’t even just give you that day as a paid day off, that’s the gag,” added Lewis, who won best supporting actress in a musical last year for Hell’s Kitchen. “I’m taking a day off, and I ain’t even going to the damn Tonys. ’Cause I’m tired.” It’s part of the reason she’s moving into producing. “Actors feel resistance that producers can fix, and won’t. It’s not okay.”
