When Tony Award nominees, performers and presenters go to rehearsals and the ceremony, they often stop by the official Tony Awards gift lounge. After being held for years at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Tony Awards changed venues in 2011, and the show was held across town at the Beacon Theatre, where I had a chance to briefly interview some of the presenters at the show’s official gift lounge: the Audemars Piguet Luxury Gifting Suite. Here is what this 2011 Tony Awards presenter said:
MARG HELGENBERGER
What do you think about this year’s Tony Awards being held at the Beacon Theatre?
It’ll be nice to watch the show here. The last time I was at the Beacon Theatre was a long time ago, but I’m not gong to tell you how long ago [She laughs.] I think it was to see that German singer Nina Hagen. I was in the front too. Remember her? She had this great song "New York, New York." It was really operatic. She had an outrageous look, pre-Lady Gaga.
Which Tony nominees are you rooting for this year?
I’m rooting for Mark Rylance [in "Jerusalem"]. He was incredible in that play. I just saw "The Book of Mormon" last night, which was outrageous. So probably those two.
What are your summer plans?
I have a month left of my hiatus [from "CSI"]. I want to take one more little trip somewhere. I just don’t know where. Maybe I’ll visit my family in Nebraska.
When did you hear that Laurence Fishburne was leaving "CSI"?
A couple of days ago. My manager called me late at night. It was shocking. I tried getting a hold of him [Laurence Fishburne]. He’s out of the country right now, and I was just saddened by it.
Can you summarize what it was like to work with Laurence Fishburne on "CSI"?
It was great. I was a fan prior to his coming on the show, and I’ll always be a fan. He’s incredible. I just saw "Apocalypse Now Redux." He was 14 when he was hired for that. If you’ve never seen it, you should check it out.
I’ve seen it, and I remember the story about how Laurence Fishburne had to lie about being older so he could be cast in "Apocalypse Now."
Yeah, he’s fantastic in it. It’s just a brilliant movie. It’s sort of trippy and far-out. It falls apart in certain areas, but God, it’s brilliant. Anyway, I’m sorry that he’s not going to be back with us [on "CSI"]. I’ll miss him.
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2009 Tony Awards gift lounge interviews
2009 Tony Awards press room interviews
2010 Tony Awards gift lounge interviews
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