Point Park University Alumni Perform at the Tony Awards Friday, June 5, 2009
Four Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts alumni will perform at The 2009 Tony Awards this Sunday, June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Rob Ashford, a 1983 dance alumnus, is choreographing the opening number. Ashford is a Tony-winning Broadway director and choreographer. He won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002; he received Tony nominations for his choreography for Cry-Baby, Curtains and the Wedding Singer.
Mike Cannon, a 2000 theatre graduate, and Eric Hatch, a 2009 dance graduate, will perform in West Side Story. Cannon plays the role of Snowboy and understudy to Riff and Tony; Hatch plays Big Deal and understudy to Action. In addition, Argentina native Josefina Scaglione, who plays the lead role of Maria, received her only training in the United States at Point Park University's International Summer Dance program; Scaglione is nominated this year for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. West Side Story has four nominations at this year's Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, and Best Lighting Design of a Musical.
Marty Lawson, a 2000 dance graduate, will perform in the ensemble of Shrek The Musical. Shrek is nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Orchestrations, and Best Costume Design of a Musical.
Anthony Hollock, a 2006 theatre graduate, will perform in Hair. Hair is nominated for eight awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical.
Stephen Hanna, who plays Billy's Older Self in Billy Elliot The Musical, was a three time International Summer Dance participant and scholarship recipient. Billy Elliot is nominated for 15 Tony Awards this year.
More information on The 2009 Tony Awards and the shows nominated can be found at www.tonyawards.com. The awards will be broadcast on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. this Sunday, June 7.