Newsies Director Jeff Calhoun Assumed He Would Never Be Nominated for a Tony

The morning the Tony nominations are announced, phones start buzzing with texts and calls for the happy few who get nods. As usual, Broadway.com is among the callers offering congratulations and getting responses. Here are the first reactions from 2012 Tony nominees. Congrats to all!

Jeff Calhoun
Nominated for Best Director of a Musical, Newsies

“It's an amazing feeling, I have to be honest. As you get older, you realize things are divided between things you need and things you want. At this age, it’s clear you certainly don’t need this, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it. I was so disappointed after Big River that I just assumed I’d never be nominated. More than anything, it’s relief. You get that monkey off your back. It’s all so silly and political. I’m really, really, really overjoyed for Jeremy [Jordan] and Laura [Osnes]. I had the privilege of directing two original musicals [Newsies and Bonnie & Clyde] this season and even though they’re from different shows, to see them honored is really moving. I feel like a proud Papa. Saturday is my 16th anniversary with my partner, so you have to keep your perspective: Not only do I have a hit show, but more importantly, I feel like I have a hit life. We watched the announcement together and then [producer] Tom Schumacher was the first person that called me, Tommy Tune was the second person that called me and my mother was the third person that called me. Tommy was my mentor; I wouldn’t be here without Tommy Tune. He said, ‘Congratulations, it’s going to be a great day for you.’ It’s just one moment, and now we move on back to real life. I actually have my dry cleaning in my hand and I’m about 10 feet from my dry cleaners, so that tells you how glamorous it is.”

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