Eight Black Actresses Score Tony Award Nominations

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This year a number of Black women are being recognized for excellence in theater by The American Theater Wing's Tony Awards.

Danai Gurira's Eclipsed scored six nominations. Saycon Sengbloh and Pascale Armand are nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, and Lisel Tommy is nominated for her direction of the play.

The Color Purple which is based on Alice Walker's novel of the same name scored a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. Oprah Winfrey was nominated as a producer of the show.  The show's star, Cynthia Erivo, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical and Danielle Brook is nominated for her featured performance.

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Danielle Brooks Photo: Shutterstock



Lupita Nyong'o ("Eclipsed") and Sophie Okonedo ("Arthur Miller's The Crucible") Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play


Hamilton received a record-breaking sixteen nominations. Renée Elise Goldsberry was nominated for her stunning performance as Angelica Schuyler in the musical.

Adrienne Warren was nominated for her featured performance in  Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

Photo: L to R top; Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Cynthia Erivo, Pascale Armand; bottom; Adrienne Warren, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Saycon Sengbloh, Sophie Okonedo