Fela!’s Sahr Ngaujah Promises Nomination Won’t Go to His Head

The morning the Tony nominations are announced, phones start ringing off the hook 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 2010 Tony nominees. Congrats to all!

Sahr Ngaujah
Nominated for Best Actor in a Musical, Fela!
“I found out from a text message from Maija Garcia, our show’s associate choreographer. It woke me up. In my spirit I was awake and very happy—but my body was still asleep, so I stayed in bed a little longer. I don’t know how to put any of this into words—I don’t know what it feels like, man, honestly, except that it’s cool. Really, really cool. When people see your work and want to give it merit, what can you say? I’m feeling a lot of gratitude. It’s not going to go to my head, but I’m happiest about the legacy of it. When I have kids someday, or even now for my little sisters and brothers, this kind of [recognition] is something that will last longer than my physical presence. This is live theater! We do it every day, and it's different every day, and it's gone one day. When someone is honored or given recognition, that lasts longer. It lasts longer than you. I feel like I’m always celebrating something in one way or another, so I’m just going to roll this into the general celebration of life that’s been going on already!”

For reactions from more of this year's Tony nominees, click here!