‘Some Like It Hot,’ featuring Wright State grad, leads Tony Award nominations

This image released by Polk & Co. shows Christian Borle, foreground left, and J. Harrison Ghee, right, during a performance of the musical "Some Like It Hot." (Marc J. Franklin/Polk & Co. via AP)

Credit: Marc J. Franklin

Credit: Marc J. Franklin

This image released by Polk & Co. shows Christian Borle, foreground left, and J. Harrison Ghee, right, during a performance of the musical "Some Like It Hot." (Marc J. Franklin/Polk & Co. via AP)
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May 2, 2023
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Broadway’s fun-loving, nostalgic musical comedy “Some Like It Hot,” featuring Wright State University graduate K.J. Hippensteel, received 13 Tony Award nominations Tuesday including Best Musical.

“Some Like It Hot,” which opened Dec. 11, is based on Billy Wilder’s classic 1959 film of the same name and features songs by Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”). The musical takes an updated diversity and gender-embracing approach to the story of two musicians who witness a mob murder. Disguised as women, they seek refuge in the company of an all-female jazz band.

Wright State University musical theater graduate K.J. Hippensteel appears in the ensemble of "Some Like It Hot," which has been nominated for 13 Tony Awards including Best Musical. CONTRIBUTED

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Within the ensemble, Hippensteel portrays Bar Manager/Man with Suitcase and also understudies the lead role of Joe/Josephine portrayed by Christian Borle, who received a Tony nomination for his performance. Hippensteel portrayed Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway and London’s West End. He also appeared in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” understudying the lead role of Daniel Hillard portrayed by Tony nominee Rob McClure.

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In addition, Wright State graduate and three-time Tony-winning producer Joey Monda (”Hadestown,” “The Inheritance,” “A Strange Loop”) is among the Tony-nominated producers of “& Juliet,” a pop twist on Shakespeare’s classic tale featuring the music of Grammy-winning hitmaker Max Martin. The show received nine nominations including Best Musical.

West Milton native Jimmy Wilson (left) and Wright State University graduate Joey Monda are Tony Award-winning producers of "A Strange Loop." CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Also, the new play “Good Night, Oscar,” the story of actor Oscar Levant produced by West Milton native and Tony winner Jimmy Wilson (“A Strange Loop”), received three nominations including a lead actor nod for Emmy winner Sean Hayes (“Will and Grace”).

The 76th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”), will be telecast live Sunday, June 11 from New York’s United Palace Theatre. A 90-minute pre-show will stream for free on Pluto TV at 6:30 p.m. followed by the main ceremony at 8 p.m. on CBS.

For a full list of nominees, visit tonyawards.com.

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About the Author

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.