The Lyons Star Linda Lavin Savors the 'Garden Growing in My Chest' on Tony Nom Day

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!

Linda Lavin
Nominated for Best Actress in a Play, The Lyons

“It feels like there’s a garden growing in my chest. I absolutely feel like I’m blooming with surprise and delight and joy at the dream-come-trueness of it. We all hope for recognition and affirmation and awards, and when it happens, I think it brings you to that child in yourself that’s been hoping for it from the beginning of life. And so I feel very very elated for Stockard [Channing], with whom I started the last season in Other Desert Cities; I’m very happy for Judith Light, who’s nominated for the part that I played originally; for Jayne Houdyshell [for Lavin's role in Follies] and people whose work I have seen and enjoyed. I love this season: I like to call it 'Prom Season' because it’s a chance to buy new dresses and to celebrate and be together with people who have made a life in in the theater. I got a lovely congratulatory message just now from [playwright] Nicky [Silver], and I wish I could do that for him today. I believe that this play absolutely is a great play, it deserves all the accolades and awards that are being handed out. I got a wonderful letter from Mark Brokaw, as well, a magnificent director. I’m part of the group here, and being able to represent it is what I get with this honor, so I’m really grateful."

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