Porgy and Bess Star Audra McDonald Gushes Over Fellow Nominees Steve Kazee, Jan Maxwell & Judith Light

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!

Audra McDonald
Nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Porgy and Bess

"It's an honor, and I'm grateful and so proud of the entire show and the company and creative team. I was dead asleep and got a text on my phone, and that's how I found out. It was fun after I found out I got nominated. I got to ask my fiancé [Will Swenson], ‘Do you want to go on a date to the Tonys with me?’ He said yes. The dress and all that stuff stresses me out because I am not a girly girl, [but] the part I’m most looking forward to is the fellowship you have with all the other actors and creators. The nominee brunch is fun. You get to chat and see old friends and make new friends, people whose work you've admired you get to tell them to their face. I’m very happy for all the nominees and my buddies in other shows. I'm thrilled for Steve Kazee. He was my leading man in 110 in the Shade, so I’m so happy he's being recognized. I'm looking forward to seeing Judith Light again. I remember rushing Jan Maxwell a few years ago and just bowing at her feet. I've been such a fan of hers for so many years. [At the nominee brunch] you get to break bread with your fellow actors and creators. That to me is the best part of it."

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