Queer Musical ‘A Strange Loop’ Leads Pack In Tony Nominations

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The metafictional play, written and composed by Michal R. Jackson, follows the story of a Black, queer Broadway usher writing a play about a Black, queer Broadway usher.

The LGBTQ+-centered “A Strange Loop” leads the pack in this year’s Tony Awards’ race, earning 11 nominations including best musical.

The metafictional play, written and composed by Michal R. Jackson, follows the story of a Black, queer Broadway usher writing a play about a Black, queer Broadway usher. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020, and has now earned Jackson nominations for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. 

Stars Jaquel Spivey, who plays lead character, Usher, John-Andrew Morrison, and L Morgan Lee, have also been nominated in the acting categories. With her nomination, Lee is now the first out trans performer ever to be nominated for a Tony in an acting category.

“I can’t stop crying,” wrote Lee in a post to Twitter following news of her nomination. 

In a later Tweet shared on GLAAD’s platform, she elaborated: “My mind isn’t processing that this is real. I can’t stop crying. To specifically be a trans actress in the company of these incredible women that I respect and have enjoyed for many years … This nomination is SO much bigger than me.”

Playwright and composer Jackson said, “I feel really grateful, and I feel validated for putting in all the years and all the hours,” in a statement reported by the New York Times. “It feels amazing to know better things are possible.”

“A Strange Loop” opened at the Lyceum Theater at the end of April, and has since received rave reviews from fans and critics alike, some of whom took to Twitter to congratulate the cast and crew.

“CONGRATS @lmorgan_lee!!!!!! Making herstory as the first only transgender performer to be nominated for a Tony Award!” wrote out non-binary actor Sara Ramirez.

“Run, don’t walk, to see this fantastic show,” wrote Ramirez’s “And Just Like That” co-star Cynthia Nixon. “If you think Broadway musicals are stale & cliche-ridden, you haven’t seen “A Strange Loop.”

 


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